Lua Shayenne

Lua Shayenne weaves contemporary narratives through dance, song and storytelling. Her artistic practice draws from her African roots and her faith - the Baha'i Faith. Her art seeks to activate hearts and consciences. She actively engages with her audience and communities with a concern for ecological justice, social justice and spiritual quest.  

A 2016/17/18 K.M. Hunter Dance award nominee and a recipient of the 2013 BMO seeds Fund Award for Artists working in community, Lua is the creator and interpreter of the dance theatre children series titled, Tales and Dances Around the Baobab of which Yassama and The Beaded Calabash, is the fourth tale. Yassama will be touring this May & June 2023!

Lua is the artistic director of Dora nominated (2019) Lua Shayenne Dance Company (LSDC). She is thrilled to be choreographing three new works for LSDC titled WATER SPIRIT, FRONTIERS | FRONTIÈRES and WAVES | VAGUES, slated to premiere in 2023 and 2024. 

Through LSDC, Lua boldly envisioned and launched YENSA Festival in 2022, a biennal festival that highlights the incredible multiplicity of black women dance practitioners and nurtures an environment where they can have substantive conversations, take risks and be given due recognitions.

Lua’s performing highlights include HOLOSCENES tours in the US, UK, Abu Dhabi & Australia, Été au Théâtre in Italy, Fall for Dance North, Luminato, Dusk Dances, d:mic and more.

Lua teaches at Toronto Metropolitan University’s dance program and brings African dance, music, storytelling and culture to grassroots organizations and schools all over Canada and Europe.