UNLEASHED 2026
Winchester Theatre April 9-10
Director Derek Sangster
Artistic Administrator Kia Kotsanis
Lighting Design Erwin Lau
Stage Management Amanda Caliolo
Wardrobe Márcio Teixeira
Technical Coordinator Jeff Bornstein
Assistant Stage Manager Zoë Kindrachuk
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 Polytechnic. The George Brown 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 2026!
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 – Debbie Wilson and Ryan Lee. Both of these highly regarded Canadian dance makers, along with faculty members Yuichiro Inoue and Kathleen Rea, 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!
Yours in dance,
Derek Sangster
Associate Director George Brown Dance
unleashed 2026
Made You Look
We are simply playing around with manipulating the focus of the audience.
Choreography: Debbie Wilson
Music: Grandbrothers
Dancers: Ailfrid Fischer, Simone Blackell, Emma Bray-Brezina, Mira Baergen, Valleena Little, Sofia Polti Deustua, Bodhi Mcburney, Piper Orrick, Ella Crawford, Kiera Gallacher, Madelyne Balogh, Ro Joly
Acknowledgements: I’d like to thank all the dancers for their incredible openness, energy and sense of fun. I feel honoured to be able to work with each one of you.
The Girl Who Saw Sparkles
The Girl Who Saw Sparkles follows a young woman with synesthesia, who experiences touch and even just standing close to someone as bursts of color—sparkles and swirling landscapes. She realizes her way of experiencing the world sets her apart, leading to isolation and uncertainty. Through movement, she journeys toward acceptance, learning to ground and shape her sensory world rather than be consumed by it. Gradually, her perception transforms into a source of connection—the colors she sees reflecting the inner lives of others. Girl Who Saw Sparkles is a meditation on neurodiversity, sensitivity, and quiet transformation. It invites us to consider: what if the very thing that makes us feel alone is also what allows us to connect most deeply.
Choreography: Kathleen Rea
Rehearsal Assistant: Adrian Chuquipiondo
Music: iTMOi (in the mind of igor)
Dancers: Calista Bell-Riley, Meghan Byrne, Aradia Carnovale, Bree Gucciardi, Havannah Gucciardi, Eiza Groff, Tia Marinakis, Danny Morrone, Dylan Nadel, Gesselle Andreina Perez Guerrero, Emily Ryan, Breeanna Saltarelli.
——— 3 MINUTE PAUSE ————
Groovin’ on Pointe
Choreography: Bengt Jörgen
Restaged: Clea Iveson
Music: Wave beats music
Dancers: Emma Bray-Brezina, Ella Crawford, Valleena Little, Tia Marinakis, Piper Orrick, Sofia Polti Deustua, Jennifer Ramirez
Groover: Summer Emms
Covers: Rose Juliette, Natalie Kempton, Zoë Kindrachuk, Lily Villeneuve.
Unheard, Understood
This work is a creation for the 2025 George Brown Dance Ensemble; a program created to provide opportunities for students seeking extra performance experience and for Alumni seeking choreographic opportunities.
Choreography: Veronica Villeneuve
Music credits: (in order of appearance) Deep Corridor by Brambles, Door To Cosmos by Chihei Hatakeyama, Forest Floor – Original Mix by Hydrangea, Silent Quest – Hydrangea Remix by BLNDR, Synthek, Hydrangea
Performers: Simone Blackell, Ro Joly, Julia Desaulnier, Laila Said, Kylie Saunders, Akira Johnson, Declan Tibbs, Delainey Harmer, Veronika Zakharova.
——— 5 MINUTE PAUSE ————
Seven Beats of Time
“Seven Beats of Time” features seven distinct shapes that form the choreography, symbolizing how time progresses through human experience—sometimes slow and introspective, sometimes urgent and fleeting.
Choreography: Yuichiro Inoue
Music: Chasing Time by Frédéric Sans
Dancers: Ella Crawford, Tia Marinakis, Veronika Zakharova, Kiera Gallacher, Laila Said, Stella Scott
Acknowledgements: Thank you to all the dancers; your dedication and artistry made this work possible. Your talent, passion, and willingness to explore movement together made this journey truly meaningful.
True
This work is a creation for the 2025 George Brown Dance Ensemble; a program created to provide opportunities for students seeking extra performance experience and for Alumni seeking choreographic opportunities.
Choreography: Holly Gill
Music Credits: Ola De Luz by OKRAA
Dancers: Piper Orrick, Eiza Groff, Rory Combres, Ailfrid Fischer, Grace Lister, Valleena Little, Brennah Bilous, Summer Emms, Abby Yates, Bree Gucciardi, Tess Falk, Elsa Winnig
——— 3 MINUTE PAUSE ———
Dream Tease
Choreography: Ryan Lee in collaboration with the dancers
Rehearsal Direction: Danaca Bell
Sound Design: Dana Macdonald – Music Credits/Composers: LVDF, Terekke
Dancers: Veronika Zakharova, Grace Lister, Tia Marinakis, Mariha Celis Solarte, Chris Wilson, Eiza Groff, Julia Desaulnier, Stella Scott, Teagan Middleton, Laila Said, Vince Sagun
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
Amanda Davis – Modern
Kennedy Elder – Jazz
Anna Elena – Ballet
Catherine Glasser – Ballet
Yuichiro Inoue – Ballet, Pointe
Clea Iveson – Ballet, 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
Yunmi Kwon – Ballet
Geza Szenasi – Ballet
George Brown Polytechnic
President Dr. Gervan Fearon
Vice-President, Academic Dr. Hassun Malik
Dean, Faculty of Business, Creative Industries, and Culinary Arts Dr. Ana Rita Morais
School of Media and Performing Arts
Associate Dean, School of Media and Performing Arts & School of Design 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
George Brown Dance Program Coordinator Kia Kotsanis
Marketing Coordinator Kelvin Rabella
Bookkeeping Irene Lockrey and Pamela Stickney
Auditions Assistant Sofia Polti Deustua, Cécile Pruvost, Lily Villeneuve
