Dance

Canadian Dance

In Canada, geography and history have conspired to make dance the reflection of our many regions and cultures. Geography has kept Canadians apart in a very large country, while history has allowed people from each region to evolve organically through time. Today, Canadian dance is the sum of a number of traditions – from the folkloric and Aboriginal views of the world, to the classic, the contemporary and the avant-garde.

European influences have given birth to The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the National Ballet of Canada and Les Grands Ballets canadiens. Those are now the three leading companies of classical dance in Canada. Their schools have spawned some of the great names in ballet, and continue to do so. 

Canadian dance has another hallmark – innovation. Canadian choreographers and dance companies are creating movement inspired from everyday experience and are synthesizing our diverse culture to produce works at the forefront of artistic expression.

At the same time Native dance is continuing to affirm itself, both as the expression of culture and of religion, with a number of companies that are winning acclaim in Canada and on the international scene.

Dance is not only for professionals. Many Canadian educators have made it a learning tool by integrating movement into their curriculum. Hip-hop, salsa, ballroom and tango are now part of our popular dance culture.

Dance in Canada has overcome the conspiracy of history and geography – it is now truly Canadian.