Raven Spirit Summer Training Intensive

The countdown is on to our Summer Training Intensive and now is the time to learn something new or brush up on your skills.

Raven Spirit Dance in partnership with the Scotiabank Dance Centre is pleased to present a week long Indigenous Summer Dance Intensive from August 29 to September 3rd. The first of its kind in British Columbia, this program brings together an impressive roster of prominent Aboriginal artists who will share their expertise in an eclectic mix of movement, voice and story classes in both contemporary and traditional forms.

“The idea to create a week-long training program came from the desire to bring together artists of different backgrounds and experience to share and acknowledge the rich diversity of indigenous expression in the arts.”
-Michelle Olson, Artistic Director, Raven Spirit Dance

The Indigenous summer dance program gives artists of all backgrounds and levels of experience the opportunity to develop performance and creation skills combining both traditional and contemporary Indigenous perspectives. With classes ranging from pow-wow and traditional west coast dance to hip-hop songwriting, contemporary dance and Métis jigging. Raven Spirit’s training and mentorship activities originate with the intent of providing artists the opportunity to develop work in the creative field, and as cultural workers to fully invest in communicating, creating, performing and disseminating work as broad as possible. These training opportunities and experience for emerging Indigenous artists build and foster a stronger sense of community involvement.

The faculty includes established artists Robert (Bob) Baker (Squamish Nation/Eagle Song Dancers), Geraldine Manossa (body storytelling: Bigstone Cree Nation), Russell Wallace (voice & song: Lil’Wat Nation), Yvonne Chartrand (Artistic Director of Compaigni V’ni Dansi), theatre and dance director Floyd Favel and Michelle Olson (Artistic Director of Raven Spirit Dance). Rounding it all out are contemporary dance instructor Julia Carr, yoga instructor Kerriann Cardinal, hip-hop artist Carrielynn Victor “Rapsure Resin”, pow-wow dancers Shyama-Priya, Nyla Carpentier and Starr Muranko (Artistic Associate of Raven Spirit Dance).

All classes for the Indigenous Summer Dance Incentive are at the Dance Centre from August 29 to September 3rd. 677 Davie Street, Vancouver BC. Open to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists.

Go to our training page for the full class schedule and registration information.