Sonia St-Michel
Dance
Contact Info
Email address
Website address
Resides in
Western Quebec
Social Media
Experience working with
Student In
- Cycle 1 Elementary
- Cycle 2 Elementary
- Cycle 3 Elementary
- Secondary 1 & 2
- Secondary 3 & 4
- Secondary 5
- CEGEP
I regularly explore the following Broad Areas of Learning/Themes in my work
- Health and Wellbeing
- Environmental Awareness and Consumer Rights and Responsibilities
Listed in the Quebec Culture in the Schools Repertoire
- Yes
I have experience working with
- MASC
I can facilitate virtual creative experiences
- Yes
Travel
- I am available for travel within the same day
- I am available for travel overnight
- An extended residency is an option
Sonia is a classical Indian dancer trained in Ottawa and India. She's passionate about somatics and practices the Alexander Technique, Yoga and classical singing. Interested in many facets of performance, she creates works nourished by interdisciplinary influences like storytelling and visual arts. Her practice revolves around rituals, journeys and identity. She's curious about how art can stimulate attention, presence, reflexion, concentration, reduce stress and contribute to well being.
Creative Approach and Experiences Offered
I offer workshops, performances and offer residencies focused on exploring the aesthetics of East Indian dance. The duration and complexity varies according to the grade and project design. Projects range from a one hour period exploration to residencies aimed at creating or learning a short choreography over several periods. Rhythm is an important aspect of the dance. Students learn to create rhythms using footwork and a system of oral representation of percussive sounds. Another aspect is storytelling. Students learn Hastas, the gestures of the hands used for mime. They learn to represent places, characters, emotions and participate in a creative process inspired by an Indian tale. I offer dance performances which include Q&A and are accessible for every grade. Long term residencies range from facilitating 1 workshop for every group to creating a new choreography with one or a few groups.One-Day Event Description
Lux Naturae (Light of Nature)"Performance of Lux Naturae a choreography that explores the theme of the irrepressible force of nature, even in the age of the Anthropocene.
Lux Naturae is a solo for dancer Sonia St-Michel, choreographed by Natasha Bakht.
The solo uses classical Indian dance in a contemporary aesthetic.
This solo will premiere April 29th for International dance day in Gatineau:
https://www.maisondelaculture.ca/Salle-Odyssee/spectacles/paroles-musique-et-danse/danse-programme-double.html
The event would be a sneak peak at the show along with conversations about the creative process and the theme which is the resilience of nature and the environment in addition to a workshop with one group to delve into the dance vocabulary of the work.
61-90 students per group.
This is a link to the an excerpt choreography but the projections will not be available, its not possible in a school environment.
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/884052145
password: sonia