Ryerson dancers take global stage for first time at Fall for Dance North

The stage is set: 18 talented dancers from Ryerson’s School of Performance will make their mark on the international Fall for Dance North (external link)  stage for the first time in a festival that runs Oct. 2-6.

“It’s a remarkable opportunity,” said Vicki St. Denys, director of Ryerson’s Performance Dance program. “We are the only university and the only students from any kind of dance training program to have been invited.”

In its 5th year, Toronto’s premier international dance festival, Fall for Dance North (FFDN), co-presented by TO Live, will showcase a phenomenal range of artistic expression, including a special focus on international Indigenous artists at Ryerson Theatre, three Fall for Dance North commissions, five North American premieres, live music, and free programming at Toronto’s Union Station.

‘Over the moon’

On Oct. 4 and 5, Ryerson students will perform FIDDLE EMBRACE, a newly commissioned work by FFDN artist-in-residence Anne Plamondon. It will be featured as part of a prestigious program alongside the National Ballet of Canada. The performance includes live music and will close the program at Meridian Hall.

“They’re over the moon,” St. Denys said of the dancers ‒ 14 of whom are fourth-year students and four of whom are graduates.

It’s the second time the event will take place at Ryerson Theatre along with Meridian Hall (formerly the Sony Centre) – and the first time Ryerson dancers – the only student dancers in the program – will take stage at the event.

It’s all thanks to a partnership forged in 2017 between FFDN and Ryerson University’s School of Performance Dance program, part of the Faculty of Communication and Design (FCAD).

Praising FFDN Artistic Director Ilter Ibrahimof, St. Denys says the festival’s vision for a larger and even more vibrant community that supports dance aligns with the vision of Ryerson’s dance program.

“The partnership was well thought out…he approached us, and I jumped at the chance,” she said.

Ryerson dancers gain international exposure, connections

While praising local choreographers, St. Denys says the event and partnership gives the opportunity to introduce students to world-renowned artists and choreographers.

“The exposure, connection and interaction with professional choreographers from around the world is what was needed to take our program to the next level,” she said, noting the event will help raise the profile of Ryerson graduates seeking employment opportunities.

“There’s so much momentum and excitement right now,” St. Denys said of the dance school, noting it’s a leader in Canada.

“It’s really special… It’s important to make sure the next generation of dance artists grow and continue to build.”

Panel discussion: What is Indigenous Dance?

This year, the festival has also partnered with Ryerson Aboriginal Student Services and Ryerson School of Performance to present a panel focused on a more nuanced conversation and understanding of contemporary Indigenous performance across disciplines and in a global context. More information can be found on the FFDN website (external link)  and a Facebook event page (external link) .

This year’s festival will also include Brazil’s powerful Grupo Corpo, the remarkably gifted Indian classical solo artist Shantala Shivalingappa, the North American debut of The New Zealand Dance Company, and Sweden’s Skånes Dansteater. Toronto’s emerging choreographic talents Caroline ‘Lady C’ Fraser and Cody Berry will unveil world premieres.

Ryerson School of Performance dancers close Program 2 on October 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. at Meridian Hall.

The festival wraps up on Oct. 6 at Ryerson Theatre.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. (external link) 

Learn more about other free FFDN events, classes, workshops and more. (external link)