The Program
For Contemporary Dance artists looking to expand an aspect of their practice. The program offers a tailored path for professional development defined by the participant, in conversation with the mentor.
Mentorship can cover technical, administrative, producing, artistic, or more.
The Mentor
Andrew Barrett (he/him) is a queer multidisciplinary performing artist based on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen Peoples/Victoria, BC. He is a creator, choreographer, performer, curator, emerging arts leader, administrator, and founding Artistic Producer of Impulse Theatre.
He received his BFA in Theatre from the University of Victoria (UVIC) and studied Arts and Cultural Management at MacEwan University. He trained in Contemporary Dance through the Victoria School of Contemporary Dance from 2010 to 2020. He attended One Yellow Rabbit’s Summer Lab Intensive in 2016. He was a 2020/21 and 2024/25 Artist in Residence at Dance Victoria, and participated in artist residences at Joya Arte + Ecologia (Spain 2024) and Saikoneon (Japan 2026).
Photo Credit: Angus Gaffney
2026 Participants
Ángel Ramos
Artist Statement:
I’m looking for mentorship to support my artistic work and the future of Verso Dance Collective. I want to learn how to structure a sustainable, community centred dance collective, strengthen my choreographic leadership, and gain clarity in grant writing and long-term planning.
Bio:
Ángel Ramos (He/They/Él) is a queer Mexican/Indigenous dancer and choreographer based in Victoria whose work blends contemporary, ballet, vogue, and Latin forms. As director of Verso Dance Collective, he leads hybrid movement research and opens dance company classes to the community, fostering inclusive, rigorous, culturally grounded dance practice.
Sarah Board
Artist Statement:
I will be working on choreography for my first solo piece. This project is deeply personal, and I am excited to have a safe space to explore it, while being encouraged to grow comfortable with my creative process under Andrew’s guidance.
Bio:
I am a marine biologist and educator by training. I committed to my love and need for dance around eight years ago. As a woman with mild cerebral palsy, dance is a space to escape, express, process, and surpass the expectations of my body.
Past Participants
2025
Dyana Sonik-Henderson
Veronique Emmett
2024
Dyana Sonik-Henderson
Kiera Shaw
Sarah Rose
2023
Sarah Hin Ching U
2022
Amber Downie-Back
with
on the nature of…
2021
Noble Riot Dance Theatre
with
Luminaries
