Workshops

Discover Horton technique and choreography with certified teacher Audrey Lanoux.

The workshop will start with basic warm up exercises to learn the foundations of the technique. We will then move on with travelling exercises and jumps, and finally explore some iconic Horton moves through choreography inspired by the repertoire.

Co-hosted by the Voices Dance Project, and the Ottawa Dance Directive, This 3-hour workshop will offer participants a crash course in technical terminology, techniques and other helpful tips for performance lighting to help them bring their shows to life on stage.

This course, taught by Garret Brink ( Assistant Technical Director at Arts Court theatre) and Laura Wheeler (Technical Director for the Ottawa Dance Directive) will cover the appropriate terminology that will speed up understanding between you and your technical team. We will cover techniques on how to conceptualize and visualize the technical aspects you wish to integrate into your shows, allowing you to express accurately and effectively your vision. Our two working industry professionals will guide you with helpful tips learned over a combined 25 years of experience in the field.

Step into the rhythm and energy of jazz dance in this beginner-friendly workshop! Designed for all levels, this dynamic session will introduce you to the fundamentals of jazz technique. Through a guided warm-up, across the floor and choreography, you'll explore the style and have fun learning new movements. 

No prior experience needed, just bring your enthusiasm and get ready to move!

More details coming soon...

A fusion of Limón and Graham-based modern and contemporary ballet forms, this class is a beginner-friendly introduction to commercial contemporary dance—the kind you expect from So You Think You Can Dance or a Florence + the Machine music video. 

Whether you used to take contemporary dance classes as a teen or you’ve never stepped foot in a dance studio before, this class is for you! 

Introduction to India’s oldest classical dance form. This beginner-friendly class is designed for anyone curious about the art of Bharatanatyam.

This workshop will begin with a salutation (namaskaram) and cover the foundations of Bharatanatyam, including basic postures (aramandi and mulumandi), hand gestures (mudras), rhythmic footwork, and expressive facial techniques (abhinaya).  Participants will learn a simple choreography that combines the techniques introduced in the class. No prior experience is necessary!

Delve into the Voices Dance Project’s collaborative creative process with Voices founder Jasmine van Schouwen.

In this workshop, participants will discover some of the techniques, exercises and practices that the Voices Dance Project’s dancers used to choreograph the collective’s latest work On Home. No prior dance experience required! Bring some friends or come make new ones!

Mindfulness is an approach to meditation that encourages you to focus on being intensely aware of what you're sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. Mindfulness seems more popular than ever, but did you don't need to be perfectly still to experience the benefits of this wellness practice?

In this two-hour workshop, registered psychotherapist Daniele Robert introduces basic mindfulness techniques and lead a soothing movement meditation practice.

No previous experience is necessary.

Join Graham technique teacher Audrey Lanoux for an introduction to Graham contemporary dance technique!

Graham technique is a contemporary dance style created by Martha Graham and based on some main principles: contractions and release, spirals and shift of weight. Properly performed, they all contribute to the dramatic effect of Graham’s work.

During this 2-hour workshop, Audrey Lanoux introduces the fundamentals of the technique using various exercises based on the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance’s curriculum. The workshop explores floor work, standing and travelling work, and finishes  off with a combination. 

No previous experience is necessary.

Offered in the form of two 2-hour workshops, this course aims to give dancers tools to explore choreographic expression and creation.

Part I - Choreographic concepts, introduces concepts like unison, canon, available light, inversion and gives the opportunity for the group to explore these concepts themselves. 

Part II - Creating choreography from text focuses on creative gesture and the process of finding your authentic voice as a dancer within your work. This workshop introduces dancers a new method to approach their dance creation, using the written word as a source of inspiration.

No prior experience is required, but this workshop may resonate more with dancers in training.

Previously taught by Sarah Squizzato and Chelsey Fawcett

This workshop offers an introduction to various concepts in partnering. While it is focused on partnering for contemporary dance, it is open to dancers of any style.

Concepts covered include listening versus leading, points of contact, ways to share a center of gravity, improvisation with a partner, as well as learning dynamic lifts. 

No prior experience with partnering is required, but attendees should be intermediate or above dancers.

In this two-hour workshop, Voices Dance Project founder Jasmine van Schouwen and Voices dancer and choreographer Kendra Guidolin introduce participants to the basics of ballet technique, including correct muscle activation, placement, breathing, and alignment. Through this work, they help participants develop an awareness of their body, which can be applied to other dance forms, sports, and even everyday life.

No prior dance experience is required.

Improvising can feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start.

In this workshop, VDP dancer Kendra Guidolin introduces movement dynamics and patterns through a wide variety of improvisational prompts so you never feel lost during an improv session again. These prompts—such as navigating your home space in your mind’s eye or writing your name in cursive with your nose—are not limited to one certain style, technique, or body. 

No prior dance experience is required.

For dancers, musicality is about how you hear and interpret the music you dance to. This workshop helps participants get it touch with the rhythm of various types of music and connect their movements to the music, on beat. Participants explore different tempos and musical genres using structured choreography and basic steps to learn how to dance in tempo with music.

Dancers of all levels are encouraged and no prior dance experience is required

Previously taught by Zakiya Journeau, with live musical accompaniment by Jack Hui Litster.

Join certified modern dance teacher and Voices dancer Audrey Lanoux for an introduction to Horton contemporary dance technique.

In this introductory workshop, participants explore some fundamentals of the technique created by Lester Horton through warm up exercises, fortifications, choreography and jumps. 

No prior dance experience is required.

In this two-hour workshop, Voices dancer and yoga teacher Erin Roberts leads participants through movement games and exercises adapted from improv theatre. Participants explore mindfulness through individual improv exercises, and play group improv games suited for all participation levels.

Dancers and non-dancers, introverts and extroverts, and everyone in between is welcome: no prior experience required. 

Combining mindfulness strategies, intentional movement techniques, natural soundscapes and live musical accompaniment, this 2-hour workshop invites participants to imagine various ecosystems including the subterranean soil, an open meadow, a vibrant forest, and a deep flowing river to develop a renewed sense of empathy for the more-than-human world. This guided workshop invites us to lean into the power of movement to work through emotions of ecological grief and anxiety in community with others to create a stronger sense of togetherness and awareness.

Voices Dance Project dancer/choreographer Julia Sterling, and composer-in-residence Jack Hui Litster, create a safe space for participants to gather, while fostering a stronger connection with the natural world.

No prior dance experience is required. 

In this workshop, participants work on different exercises to start off their mobility journey or to help them progress from where they are today. Whether you have danced all your life or are just starting, an important part of the journey many people forget is mobility training. This workshop teaches you easy, safe exercises you can do at home with minimal equipment. Learning proper technique is always more important than being able to execute difficult moves on the first try. 

These exercises are suitable for all levels, from complete beginner to seasoned contortionist. 

No prior dance experience is required.