Danses buissonnières classe 2014

Gabrielle Bertrand-Lehouillier
Holding a double DEC in arts and letters (concentration in literature, cinema and theatre) and in dance, as well as a recently obtained bachelor’s degree in contemporary dance from UQÀM, Gabrielle Bertrand-Lehouillier has a varied artistic background. Her taste for literary creation colours both her choreographic work and her performances, with a tendency to invent stories and create narrative threads through movement.

Having also studied classical piano at the Conservatoire de musique de l’Estrie, and completing seven years of the programme designed at the École de musique Vincent-D’Indy, Gabrielle is a dancer who likes experimenting with rhythm and the effect music has on her movement.

Beginning with a writing exercise on the definition of naivety, the creative process of this project built upon a series of interrelated questions: questions that lead to others, either in concert or opposition with those preceding. This solo is a story, a labyrinth, a thought, a weak ray of light on some sensitive thing that moves you from the inside.

Chloé Bourdages-Roy
Chloé Bourdages-Roy decided to apply to Saint-Laurent CEGEP’s dance and social science programs on an impulse. During her studies, she was initiated into the choreographic process, creating many solos and group pieces. Her growing desire to create pushed her to pursue studies in contemporary dance at Concordia University, from which she graduated in 2014. She has participated in the Saguenay Fringe Festival (2011), the Montreal Fringe Festival (2012 and 2013) and Bouge d’ici Festival (2012), as a performer for Cassandre Lescarbeau’s. In the summer of 2012, she collaborated with filmmaker Francis Binet to co-direct the short film Analepses, presented at the Rendez-Vous du Cinéma Québécois (2013) and at the Quartiers Danses Festival, where it received the honour of being named the best dance short film. Although she has just finished her second film Deracinement, Chloe is already working on various dance and film projects, while teaching dance and fitness classes in Montreal.

Andrée-Anne Glasson
Born in Quebec City, Andrée-Anne Glasson graduated from the professional training program at L’École de danse de Québec in 2010. During her training she worked with several choreographers and developed a strong interest in creation and choreography. In 2014 she completed a bachelor of fine arts at Concordia University. During her studies, she was involved in various research projects with other young dance performers and choreographers, which allowed her to perform short pieces throughout the city of Montréal.

Catherine Laframboise Desjardins
Catherine Laframboise Desjardins dreamt of an equestrian career. Discovering, as a child, her life-threatening allergy to horses, she thought at least she could learn to move like them. She began her dance training at Saint-Laurent CEGEP in 2009 and will finish her bachelor’s degree in dance at Concordia University in 2015. During her studies, she met Chloé Bourdages-Roy with whom she continues to work on various projects, including as an performer and collaborator during the creative process of the film Déracinement. During the 2013-2014 season, she curated the monthly art laboratory Studio 7 and began to develop her potential in the artistic direction, organization and promotion of artistic events. She also discovered a passion for interdisciplinary arts, which led her to revise her vision of scenography, photography, and video, while investigating the influence of space on the perception of bodies. In addition, she joined the team of Fleur d’asphalte, a dance and creation studio, where she contributes to the business’ proper functionning and the organization of the Mi-Lune’s upcoming performances in 2014. Finally, she works like a destrier!

Élise Landry
Élise Landry is a young artist with interests ranging from music to circus art. She started her dance training at Saint-Laurent CEGEP, where she graduated from the dance and science programs in 2010. There, she was initiated into the world of choreographic creation, having the chance to create and dance many solos and group pieces. In 2011, she continued her studies in contemporary dance at Concordia University. In the same year, she choreographed for the musical Tout le château s’éclate, presented in Montréal. She has also had the opportunity to dance in many projects during her studies, including Chloé Bourdages-Roy’s short films Analepses and Déracinement, and in Première Vague, a choreography presented at the Art Matters Festival in 2012. In this year’s edition of the festival, She danced in Andrée-Anne Giasson’s piece Espionnez-vous les uns les autres. This summer, she presented her own work at the Montréal Fringe Festival.

Roxanne Larochelle-Mosseau
Roxanne Larochelle-Mosseau started her career as a scholarship student at the dance school Louise Lapierre, subsequently entering a double DEC in dance and social science at Saint-Laurent CEGEP. After completing collegial studies in 2010, she continued her training at UQAM’s dance department where she has studied for the past two years, focusing on the role of performer. In 2011, she joined the semi-professionnal troupe F. Danse, under Claude Bellemare’s direction. The dance troupe arrived in first place at Concours de Danse du Québec in 2012, and presented their first independant show the next year. She has danced in Misteur Valaire’s video Gumshoe, and in Sylvain Émard’s Le Continental XL. She took part in the first edition of Ampleman Danse company’s show Klima, and Pigeons International’s Humanity Project, presented at Montreal’s Place des Arts. Last april, she danced in Oliver Artaud-Gauthier’s Le mur du son at Festival Auteurs de Troubles in Lyon, France.

Cassandre Lescarbeau
Choreographer, dancer and teacher of contemporary dance, Cassandre Lescarbeau graduated from Concordia University’s contemporary dance program in 2013. Her first creations were presented at various festivals, including FAST, the Montréal Fringe, Fringe Saguenay, Bouge d’ici, and Arrêt de bus, as well as at Saint Jérôme CEGEP. In 2011, she received the Fluo Production award for her piece Keep the car running. Cassandre danced for Chloé Bourdages-Roy in the short films Analepses and Déracinement, and in the piece Première Vague. She is also the choreographer for the dance troupe Khorévi, from Saint-Jérôme CEGEP. She is currently studying management in cultural enterprises, while working on several projects of creation and performance.

Rebecca Rehder
After obtaining her DEC in contemporary dance at Saint-Laurent CEGEP, Rebecca Rehder decided to pursue her studies in the field at Concordia University, focusing on the aspects of choreographic process. She graduated in 2014, having completed numerous works both independently, and as aprt of the collabprative duo Simone & Jane, comprising herself and Camille Lacelle-Wilsey. She has also danced in various other works, namely Des Coqs et des Taureaux by Patricia Gagnon, presented at Zone Homa in 2013.

Anne-Marie Rosa
After completing a bachelor’s in international studies at Université de Montréal, Anne-Marie Rosa made her way into the dance world. She is currently finishing her studies in dance teaching at Université du Québec à Montréal, where she has had the opportunity to work with choreographers Danièle Desnoyers and Virginie Brunelle. In 2006, she started teaching recreational dance classes in various schools. She danced for choreographer Chloé Bourdages-Roy last June in the Montreal Fringe Festival.

Kim L. Rouchdy
Kim L. Rouchdy currently studies contemporary dance at Concordia University and performs regularly in Montreal. Her choreographic research is inspired by her training in ballet and visual arts, as well as past studies in set and costume design at the National Theatre School of Canada and St-Hyacinthe CEGEP. Kim is active in all stages and aspects of event production. From 2013 to 2014, she took on the role of organizer for Studio 7, Concordia’s multidisciplinary platform for works in progress. She continues to explore and unite diverse art forms, seeking to create immersive experiences for the audience. Her creative process is rooted in the sensations that inform the body and mind.

As a musician, I often allow myself to be led by the natural rhythm of the bodies I work with. My goal is to create movements that will act as a common language between my dancers and myself. I want them to trust and help each other throughout the creative process. Since 2011, my work with filmmaker Francis Binet has encouraged me to adapt my creations for the screen. I realized that dance on video allowed me to control the viewer’s gaze. I try to have the same control in all my projects, by changing my dancers’ relation to space. Since this work is created and performed by eight women, it is imprinted with femininity. I also think deeply about the context of my creation, choosing the era, the place and the moment it takes place.

Marie Lambin-Gagnon
Originally from Montreal, Marie Lambin-Gagnon began her dance training at Ballet Divertimento. Wanting to expand her horizons, she joined The School of Toronto Dance Theatre. During her studies, she participated in numerous summer intensive workshops, including the Gaga Summer Course 2012 in Tel Aviv, Morphing/Evolution with Compagnie Marie Chouinard, and Springboard Dance Montreal, where she worked with RUBBERBANDance Group, directed by Victor Quijada. In January 2013, Marie collaborated with Quebecois choreographer Robert Desrosiers, who created a new solo for her to perform at the King Edward Hotel in Toronto. She has also had the opportunity to perform for choregraphers such as Shannon Liztenberger, Robert Abubo, and ReActive Dance Theatre, and is part of the collective The Garage. For the last two years, she has organized Nuit Créative, an event taking place in Montreal that mixes dance, improvisation, and live music. Marie has had the privilege to present works from renowned choreographers such as Lucie Grégoire, Sarah Bild, David Pressault, Catherine Lafleur and Sonya Stefan, and performed a segment of a piece by Virginie Brunelle. More recently she went to New York City to join the company Motley Dance, directed by Elisabeth Motley, and to collaborate with choreographer Kristin Wiat.

Kathia Wittenborn
Born in Montreal, Kathia Wittenborn began her professional training at Le Conservatoire de Montréal followed by Ballet Divertimento’s professional dance program. Soon after graduating, she moved to Toronto to pursue further training at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, where she was the recipient of the inaugural Kathryn Ash Scholarship Award. During her training she had the opportunity to perform works by Giaconda Barbuto, Sidra Bell, Marc Boivin, Jennifer Dallas, Christopher House, Louis Laberge-Côté, Allen Kaeja, José Limón, Sharon B. Moore, David Pressault, Tedd Robinson, Julia Sasso, Heidi Strauss, Darryl Tracy, and Edgar Zendejas. Attending many workshops including ImPulsTanz, and Springboard Danse Montréal, Wittenborn also had the privilege of working with Kidd Pivot, O Vertigo, Rubberbandance, and Sylvain Émard Danse. As an emerging artist she has performed in Toward Light: A tribute to Rachel Browne, and works by Robert Abubo and Peter Chin in Shannon Litzenberger Contemporary Dance’s Everyday Marvels. Kathia is currently working with Shannon Litzenberger Contemporary Dance, and Tribal Crackling Wind.

Kristen Carcone
Kristen Carcone is a freelance performer, choreographer and teacher based in Toronto Ontario. She graduated with Highest Honours from New World School of Arts in Miami Florida, earning her BFA and AA degrees in dance. She has performed across North America and Europe dancing the works of Robert Battle, Gabriel Forestieri and Darshan Singh Bhuller. Kristen is currently a company member with Conteur Dance Company (Toronto, Ontario) and Frog in Hand (Mississauga, Ontario). She is the Co-founder and Artistic Director of TOES for dance (www.toesfordance.ca) and is the Associate Director of FRESH Dance Intensive. She is excited to be part of WTF presented in Montreal for Danses Buissionnières 2014.

Michelle Zimmerman
Michelle Zimmerman started dancing at the age of six in her hometown, Calgary Alberta. She grew up dancing competitively in jazz, tap, ballet, street jazz, lyrical, and hip hop. In high school, she attended Central Memorial High School for a Performing and Visual Arts Program. After she graduated, she auditioned for The School of Toronto Dance Theatre’s Professional Training Program. She graduated from the school in May of 2013. She has been fortunate enough to work with some of the best, including Louis Laberge-Cote, Peter Chin, Christopher House, Peggy Baker, Heidi Strauss, and Darryl Tracy. Since graduating she has worked with Newton Moraes Dance Theatre Company performing a brand new work at the Betty O. She is also in the process of working with Sharon B. Moore on a duet project. Michelle will be performing in Montreal at Danses Buissonnieres festival this September in a new piece choreographed by STDT graduate, Marie Lambin-Gagnon. Michelle had the exciting opportunity to teach Graham technique to the students of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre’s summer program this past month.

WTF explores the multiple facets of popular culture through the construction of three characters. Marie Lambin-Gagnon attempts to highlight the both the broad themes and subtleties contained herein. The process is guided by the personal and impersonal relationships that the dancers have formed with pop culture. The performers imitate and amplify images of super heroes and popular roles models through the body. The piece contains moments of rigid structure, juxtaposed with instants of unadulterated expression and freedom of movement. The choreographer challenges the dancers by associating canonical movement vocabularies, such as the Graham Technic, with the individuality and uniqueness of each performer. The piece reflects the pursuit of identities, from childhood to young adulthood, under the influence and pressure of pop culture.

ason Martin
Jason Martin grew up in Montreal and started dancing at the age of 21. In 2012, he graduated from the École de danse contemporaine de Montréal where he studied with Andrew de L. Harwood, Linda Rabin and Marc Boivin. Having an obvious appetite for movement, he cultivates his practice through numerous workshops in which he practices the Gaga, the Axis Syllabus and Contact Dance. Jason now performs with Le Carré des Lombes, the Compagnie Marie Chouinard and Daniel Léveillé Danse.

Kim Henry
Since her graduation in 2011, Kim Henry has participated in more than 30 productions and creations in Quebec, Canada and the United-States. She has collaborated with Montréal Danse, Mélanie Demers (Fly), Fleuve-Espace Danse, Willy Dorner (FTA), Dynamo Theatre, Théâtre de la Dame de Coeur, and Cirque du Soleil’s Red Carpet. She also dances for Isabelle Boulanger’s young company La Grande Feinte since 2011.

Étienne « Paclow » Vézina
Étienne « Paclow » Vézina began his artistic career as a singer in the progressive rock band The Liar and The Bridge. In high school, he created songs for a play. He composed music for a choreography by Jason Martin in 2013. Currently, he works as a beat maker, animator, sound engineer, cameraman, dancer, DJ, event organizer, artist recruiter for the Coeur Studio, singer, freestyler and Beatbox instructor.

Nathan Yaffe
Born and raised in Massachusetts, Nathan Yaffe received his BFA in dance from Purchase College in New York. During his studies, he also trained at Codarts in Rotterdam and worked at Le Groupe Dance Lab in Ottawa. In 2008, he found himself in Montréal, and has since collaborated with artists on both sides of the border such as, Sasha Kleinplatz, Mollye Maxner, Marie Chouinard, Brian Brooks, Hélène Langevin (Bouge de Là, Inc.), Sonya Stefan, Harold Rhéaume, Dorian Nuskind-Oder, Audrée Juteau, Kimberley de Jong, Kate Hilliard, and Georges-Nicolas Tremblay. Nathan’s work has been presented at Purchase College, Le Groupe Dance Lab and by Short&Sweet in Montreal. He is also creating a dance film version of The Johnsons that will be released next year.

Angie Cheng
Angie Cheng found her love for dance at an early age. She began her dance studies in Ottawa and went on to complete a BFA in contemporary dance in Montreal from Concordia. She has danced for many of Montreal’s emerging choreographers such as: Namchi Bazar, Andrew Tay and Sasha Kleinplatz, Ghislaine Doté, Nathan Yaffe, and Jessica Cumberbirch, with whom she’s had the opportunity to perform throughout North America. In 2008 she was awarded a professional grant from the Canada Council for the opportunity to apprentice with David Pressault Danse, which led to a role in his most recent work Corps intérieurs. She joined MAYDAY with choreographer Melanie Demers in 2009. Angie loves discovering new territories and delving into new challenges; she has collaborated with a variety of artists allowing her to participate in many forms of art and performance, involving dance as well as other forms of expression.

Patrick Conan
Patrick Conan, a graduate of Vanier College with a DEC in percussion, is a drummer and percussionist who has been playing music professionally for the last 15 years. He has played in numerous projects and toured Canada, the United States, and Europe. Notable acts include Tricky Woo, Sackville, and The Carnations. Current projects include Sam Shalabi’s Land of Kush and Molly Sweeney. He has worked as a dance accompanist since 2000 and currently works at EDCMTL. Other dance accompaniment work includes TDT and RQD. Patrick is also branching out into composition and working with MaxMSP, field recordings, and found sounds.

The Johnsons is inspired by the current debate on how much surveillance is necessary for safety, and if we are compelled to keep a big-brother eye on each other out of fear. I knew that I wanted the viewer to have the pleasurable feeling of being a voyeur, but at the same time, to see how judgements of character are quickly and subconsciously formulated. Yes, we can infer as much as we want from a person’s demeanour, but how much can we really know about them? Insecurity is often mistaken for overconfidence, and introversion for rudeness. I took the fact that we can learn a lot about a person based on their body language, and brought it to a surreal aesthetic. All the movement ideas in this piece have been designed to fall on the fine line between malicious and benign, allowing the viewer to waver between reading the couple’s relationship as either caring or hostile.