UNLEASHED 2025

Winchester Theatre April 10-12

Director Derek Sangster
Artistic Administrator Kia Kotsanis  
Lighting Design Joseph Patrick
Stage Management A.J. Morra
Assistant Stage Manager Shaleigh Vessey
Wardrobe Márcio Teixeira
Wardrobe Assistants Zoë Kindrachuk & Shaleigh Vessey

Thank you to the technicians of the Winchester Theatre and to all our volunteers!

⚠️ Strobe Lighting Warning
Please be advised that this performance contains strobe lighting effects which may affect individuals who are
susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy or other light sensitivities. 

about george brown dance

George Brown Dance is a partnership between Jörgen Dance and George Brown College. The George Brown College Dance programs offer exceptional professional technical training in the heart of downtown Toronto. With hundreds of theatre, dance and production companies, Toronto offers extraordinary opportunities to aspiring performers. The unique leadership of  Jörgen Dance expert instructors graduates students with the skills, confidence and connections necessary for employment in a wide range of dance performance settings. Students and faculty have built a strong community that offers continuous support and encouragement at school and beyond. At George Brown Dance, expect to be empowered and challenged to fulfill your dance potential. 

Message from the associate Director

Welcome to George Brown Dance Unleashed 2025! 

2025 marks George Brown Dance’s 50th anniversary of delivering excellence in dance training and education.  This grand milestone reflects decades of distinction in dance and a continued fostering of future artists.
 
This evening’s performance is dedicated to all those who have been part of our illustrious half century of growth, community, education, sharing, art and vision.  Our reach expands substantially further than the studio walls of Casa Loma Campus.  The breadth and integrity of faculty, students, alumni, performers, entrepreneurs, directors and choreographers is far reaching and has now encompassed 5 decades – a feat only seen by few.  This evening you will be witnessing a continuation of this honoured lineage.
 
Tonight, you will be introduced to our next generation of performers and see a diverse showcase with works created by both Distinguished Guest Artists and our highly regarded faculty. This evening’s performance features students of the Dance Performance Preparation and Dance Performance programs, along with guest appearances by our Commercial Dance students. The George Brown Dance faculty is comprised of an outstanding team of instructors, working artists, choreographers and directors, who instill discipline and teach skills necessary to interpret the vision of others.   
  
Each of the choreographers has generously committed themselves to the idea of a “company” setting, which enables the performers to experience the creative work process and environment of the professional world. The students benefit tremendously from the unique approach and mentorship of the respective team.   
  
On behalf of George Brown Dance, I would like to acknowledge and thank this years’ Distinguished Guest Artists, Martha Hart and Lauren Cook. Both of these highly regarded Canadian dance makers, along with faculty member Amanda Davis, have shared their invaluable creative gifts and created new and challenging commissions.   
  
I would like to thank each faculty member for their time, energy and inspiring work as they help the students to realize their potential and prepare for the future.   
  
Finally, I extend my deepest gratitude to our hardworking, courageous dancers. Their passion, creative spark and generous spirits light up the stage each night and offer much hope for the future of our art form.   
  
We hope you enjoy tonight’s performance!   
 
Cheers to our next 50 years on the dance floor!
 
Yours in dance,
Derek Sangster 
Associate Director George Brown Dance

unleashed 2025

We Become What We Are Told
Creation by GBD Alumni and HBE Mentee. Premiere- In HÄUS 2024
Choreography Jackson Young
Music Chameleon by Trentemöller, Birthday Suit by Cosmo Sheldrake, Snowflake by Trentemöller, Lulu’s Theme by Lulu Rouge & Trentemöller
Dancers Adrien Alexander Orozco Lorenzana, Vincent Enorme, Natalie Kempton, Grace Lister, Sofia Polti Deustua, Jennifer Ramirez Cardenas, Laila Said, Emma Scown, Abigail Yates

 

In the Wake of Change
In the Wake of Change explores the complexity of transformation engaging with themes of uncertainty, loss, adaptation, hope and renewal. The work tunes into how the past intersects with the present, how personal decisions, global events and collective experiences leave traces that reverberate into our present realities and shape our futures.
Choreography Amanda Davis
Rehearsal Assistant Shaleigh Vessey
Music Glass by Apparat, Endless (ll) by Leon Vynehall, Iris by Jlin
Dancers Eileen Chung Pezo, Sofia Polti Deustua, Leah Flaschner, Natalie Kempton, Alaia R. Lopes, Brigitte Lowry, Hannah Nagy, Kylie Saunders, Adrianna Scanlan, Star Vivanco-O’Neill
Thank you to Derek, George Brown Dance and Jörgen Dance for the opportunity to create in this capacity. Thank you to all the wonderful dancers in this piece for their openness and commitment to the process.

 

Blank State
Choreography Martha Hart
Music Barbara Lewis, Claude Debussy, Oliver Schories, Enrique Granados
Dancers Elizabeth Ackah, Adrien Alexander Orozco Lorenzana, Mira Baergen, Zoë Kindrachuk, Grace Lister, Tia Marinakis, Piper Orrick, Jada Prato, Jennifer Ramirez Cardenas, Ana Rivas Agudelo, Laila Said, Rebecca Swift, Abigail Yates, Veronika Zakharova
A heartfelt thank you to Derek and Hanna for the opportunity to create. To my incredible rehearsal assistant, Julia Germano, and to Evan Webb for your invaluable outside eye—I’m so grateful for your insight and support. And to the dancers, thank you for your trust, openness, and willingness to push beyond your limits.

 

– 5 MINUTE PAUSE –

 
Blue – First Movement
This is an exceprt from Ballet Jörgen’s repertoire, worked as a part of the Jörgen Dance Academy Initiative.
Choreography Andrew Giday
Staged by Clea Iveson
Music Blues by Derek Thunes
Dancers Emma Bray-Brezina (11), Natalie Kempton (10, 12), Tia Marinakis (11), Jennifer Ramirez Cardenas, Ana Rivas Agudelo, Abigail Yates (10, 12), 
Understudies Vincent Enorme, Leah Flaschner
 
Change Your Perspective
Creation by GBD Alumni and HBE Mentee. Premiere- In HÄUS 2024
Music Agapé Duet Girls by Ran Bagno, Sospesi III (The Rebel Angels) by Davidson Jaconello, Sospesi IV (Acceptance) by Davidson Jaconello
Dancers Eleni Dramountanis, Vincent Enorme, Amina Gebauer, Grace Lister, Keira Price, Alaia R. Lopes, Veronika Zakharova
 

are you with us
to escape
to evaporate
floating from above or inside
is it real
warm then cold
heart racing
we disappear
This piece was created with the dance artists, special thanks for their generous collaboration.
Choreography Lauren Cook
Music Where Have All the Children Gone?, Joseph Kerschbaum; Parallel 9, Four Tet; Rej, Ame; Dark Ambient Noise XP, Ray.7; Exit Music For A Film, Radiohead
Dancers Emma Bray-Brezina, Ella Crawford, Leah Flaschner, Natalie Kempton, Valleena Little, Jessica MacDonald, Jake Nicholson, Elena Peralt Guntzel, Sofia Polti Deustua, Noemi Resnik, Alaia R. Lopes, Rebecca Swift, Ava Thomas, Taylena Thomas, Abigail Yates
Special thanks to those who support me outside of the process, so I can be fully present. Without Dan Cook and Caitlin Amodeo carrying the weight I wouldn’t be here.

George Brown Dance Awards 2025

Faculty Award
The Faculty Award is presented to a graduating student in each program who has trained with dedication and made real progress technically and artistically. 
The P101 recipient has shown real promise, and is encouraged to further develop their abilities: Taylena Thomas
The P105 recipient has the artistic ability and determination to go far with their dance career: Rebecca Swift

Professional Development Certificates
Professional development certificates are presented to students who have shown professionalism and a strong work ethic, and contributed positively to our community through their involvement and support.
P101 Recipients: Hannah Nagy, Kylie Saunders, Shaleigh Vessey
P105 Recipients: Zoë Kindrachuk, Ana Rivas Agudelo, Rebecca Swift

George Brown Dance
Artistic Director Bengt Jörgen C.M
Associate Director Derek Sangster
Academy Director Clea Iveson
Program Coordinator Kia Kotsanis 

Faculty   
Lindsay Aquin – Hip Hop, Jazz
Andrew Ball – Vocal Coaching
Allison Bradley – Jazz, Performance Preparation 
Laetitia Clement – Ballet, Pointe
Amanda Davis – Modern
Anna Elena – Ballet 
Clea Iveson – Repertoire
Ryan Kelly – Acting 
Hanna Kiel – Composition, Repertoire 
Heidi Lange – Vocal, Music Theory
Cynthia Macedo – Ballet, Pointe
Nicola Pantin – Chorus Repertoire, Modern
Kathleen Rea – Modern
Jennifer Robichaud – Jazz, Dance & Physicality, Business of Dance, Performance Preparation
Derick Robinson – Hip Hop  
Derek Sangster – Jazz, Professional Practice, Showcase Rehearsals   

Accompanists
Andrew Ball – Vocal, Chorus Repertoire
Robin Easton – Modern
Geza Szenasi – Ballet

George Brown College
President Dr. Gervan Fearon
Vice–President, Academic Dr. Eileen De Courcy
Interim Dean, Centre for Arts, Design and Information Technology Dr. Ana Rita Morais

School of Media and Performing Arts
Associate Dean, School of Media and Performing Arts Trent Scherer
Student Services Coordinator Lise Maher

Jörgen Dance
Artistic Director & CEO Bengt Jörgen C.M.
General Manager Stephen Word
Director of Touring Cameron Smillie
Academy Director Clea Iveson 
Business Operations Manager Aleksandra Maslennikova 
George Brown Dance Associate Director Derek Sangster
Marketing Manager Casey Spector
George Brown Dance Program Coordinator Kia Kotsanis
Resident Lighting Designer & Assistant Production Manager Madhu Seran
Bookkeeping Irene Lockrey and Pamela Stickney
Education Coordinator Ryleigh Poleman
Registrar & Data Coordinator Anna Rivas Agudelo
Auditions Assistant Sofia Polti Deustua

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