Teachers' Night In

Geoffrey Dollar is a graduate from The School of Dance Contemporary Dance Diploma Programme. Since graduating in 2016 he has remained an active member of Ottawa’s growing Dance community. He has trained extensively in Ballroom dancing with various schools  in Ottawa and Toronto, as well as in Classical Indian Odissi Dance with Upasana Indian Dance School. He has worked with many organizations and artists such as: BNF Dubai (HUM TV Awards) Ottawa Dance Directive, NAC Dance, Canada Dance Festival, the University of Ottawa Theater Department, Propeller Dance, Aroha Fine Arts, Saveeta Sharma Classical Indian Dance Company, Sinha Danse (Montreal), MASC, FESFO, CEPEO, OCDSB, as well as Créations InVivo. He aims to bridge gaps between various performing arts communities by creating and engaging with work which creates a sense of collaboration and unity.

Propeller Dance Company has been breaking down barriers and creating magic on stage since 2007. Propeller Dance is considered a leader in Canada for its creation of inclusive professional dance-theatre. Based in Ottawa, Propeller is Ontario’s only professional integrated dance company.  The socially engaged organization reaches thousands annually through performances by its professional company, dance training programs for children, youth, and adults, education programs in schools and many outreach activities.  Propelling is contributing to an evolving national arts ecology that truly values diversity. 

Co-Artistic Directors/ Choreographers: Renata Soutter and Shara Weaver

Performers: Sylvain Bouchard, Geoff Dollar, Moni Hoffman, Nathalie Joanisse, Dylan Phillips

Liz Winkelaar is Artistic Associate and dancer with the integrated dance company, Propeller Dance. She has studied Gyrokinesis with Siôned Watkins here in Ottawa and with Dana Gingras in Montreal. She is happy to share a movement practice that has enhanced both her dancing and her general well-being.  

A co-founder of Propeller Dance, Renata Soutter has dedicated her professional career to socially-engaged dance innovation through creation, performance, community outreach, and education. Numerous creations for Propeller include Living the Desirable Life (2017), The Wild Life (2017),  Flesh and Spokes (2015), Drifting Up (2013), a commission by Dusk Dances Ottawa, and collaborations with the Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre and Royal Ottawa Place. Renata co-developed (with Weaver and company dancers) a methodology of collaborative creation that focuses on the unique aesthetics of artists with disability and the primacy of self-expression. Her influences include the natural world, extensive travel and a strong belief in the power and beauty of diverse cultural expression. Renata holds a BFA in Contemporary Dance from Concordia University and further specialized in integrated dance with Candoco in London UK and Alito Alessi among others. She is a Diamond Jubilee recipient (2012) and a recent finalist for the Ottawa Arts Council Mid-Career Artist Award (2019).