TRACTOR - this is a dance

Artistic Director / Choreographer: MAXINE HEPPNER

Dancers/interpreters: Jia Yi (Judy) Luo, Katie Adams-Gossage, Lukas Malkowski, Natalia Arancibia, Oriah Wiersma, Rajvi Dedhia, Rumi Jeraj

Light design: Arun Srinivasan

Creation Associate: Christos Giotis

Communications: Devanshi Mishra, Dance Umbrella of Ontario

The Tractor Ensemble

MAXINE HEPPNER, creator of dance and inter-medial performance, is a life-long independent artist known for large-scale works (“audacious”) and intimate chamber pieces (“breath of fresh air”). Since the 1970’s her work has been honoured by many awards and commissions in Canada, Europe and Asia, by wisdom of mentors and by trust of collaborators and colleagues. She has founded several arts learning programs, and taught at universities, institutions and communities worldwide. Deeply embedded in non-Western arts practices, her approach is characterized by her dedication to somatic intelligence of impulse & energy as the sources of all arts expression & human interaction. >www.acrossoceans.org

JIA YI (JUDY) LUO is a Chinese-Canadian dance artist based out of Toronto, and in her trusty blue suitcase. Voyaging with faith and the gifts of Grace, physical movement and dumpling parties are her chosen mediums to meet and bridge communities. Judy is a former member of touring company Rambert 2 (London, UK). She holds her BFA in Performance Dance from Toronto Metropolitan University and is a laureate of the Hnatyshyn Foundation’s Developing Artist Grant. As a performer, rehearsal director and educator, she marvels at the body’s intelligence and delights in sharing this fascination with others.

KATIE ADAMS-GOSSAGE (she/her) is a dance artist from Montreal, currently living and working in Toronto. She has worked with notable choreographers and presenters including Heidi Strauss, Toronto Dance Theatre, Darryl Tracy, Maxine Heppner, Jenn Goodwin, Pulga Muchochoma, and Tavia Christina. Katie’s artistry is underscored by her time at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, where she was recognized with the Kathryn Ash Scholarship and the Leslie Wood Leadership Award. Upon graduation, she received the Winchester Prize for choreographic distinction. Since then, her choreographic work has been presented by Nuit Blanche, SummerWorks, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

LUKAS MALKOWSKI, a CODA (Child of Deaf Adult), performance maker based between Canada/Germany, whose work is shaped by the embodiment of physics, voice, & Sign. Luka has performed in John Wick 4, CTM Festival(Berlin), Rodeo Festival(Munich), Festival TransAmérique(Montreal), Schrittmacher Festival(Holland), with Guillaume Côté, Robert Lepage, Jefta Van Dinther, Wang Ramirez, Staatsballett Berlin, Sasha Waltz & Guests, James Kudelka, Ceren Oran/Moving Borders, Toronto Dance Theatre, Kate Hilliard, Jasmine Ellis, Diane Borsato, Heidi Strauss, Mocean Dance, Peggy Baker, Maxine Heppner, D.A. Hoskins, Opera Atelier & Deaf Spectrum. He has choreographed ambient sets, music videos, & films for Sam Slater(Joker OST), LBT, & 7th Plain(Luke Slater). “Flowmentum” is his movement practice.

NATALIA ARANCIBIA (she/her) is a Chilean dance artist based in T’karonto. As a dancer she is interested in the instinctive movement of bodies and nature, emphasizing the search of continuous flow as the main axis of her body language. She looks for soft approaches and meaningful guidance as an educator for contemporary practices mainly through floor-work, focusing on an efficient and organic application of the ideas. Natalia is interested in media arts and architecture combined with movement; aiming to create fuller experiences for the audience.

Falling inward, seeing outward, hearing, sensing, allowing lines to blur~ ORIAH WIERSMA is a multidisciplinary dance artist whose curiosity propels her in staggered steps. Taking the path less trundled she finds certainty in the uncertain and meaning in the process. Her work emerges from the soma and finds expression through movement, sound, film, writing, and stills. It has been described as “highly visceral”, “beautifully haunting”, and “deeply stirring”. Some of her choreographic credits include: The Spirit Garden – R. Murray Schafer’s outdoor site-specific musical drama; Music videos, Always a Romantic – ZINNIA, Life – Shannon O’Donovan, Once I Knew – Ptarmigan; and performing her solo isn’t this where across Canada.

RAJVI DEDHIA (she/her) is a versatile emerging artist from Mumbai, India, known for her proficiency in Ballet, Bollywood, Contemporary, hip hop, and more. She recently graduated from Dance Arts Institute (formerly The School of Toronto Dance Theatre) and has had the opportunity to work with leading Canadian choreographers like Nova Bhattacharya, Peggy Baker, Maxine Heppner, Laurence Lemieux, Sharon Moore, and many more. Rajvi, also a notable social media influencer, shares her passion for dance online and offers Bollywood dance workshops while excelling in social media management for dancers.

RUMI JERAJ is an Ismailli muslim hailing from Sherwood Park Alberta (the world’s largest hamlet). A Graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University Rumi has worked for dance artists including Hanna Kiel, Daryl Tracy, Maxine Hepner, Heidi Strauss, and Eilish Shin-Culhane. Outside of contemporary dance, Rumi has a practice as a Tap Dancer often collaborating with local Jazz musicians. He aspires to create and be a part of work which mixes forms in order to better tell stories. He believes there is a perfect balance between words, music, and movement which can communicate intellectually, emotionally and viscerally all at once. He aspires to find this state on stage.

ACROSS OCEANS ARTS facilitates platforms investigating the Art & Community of Collaboration, believing all art expression is inherently collaborative & somatic between individuals & communities, whether formal events or casual get-togethers. For all people, across forms, generations, backgrounds, experiences. Since 1995, local & international programs include live performance, 2D & 3D exhibits, screenings, public forums, workshops, advanced training & research. Signature projects: The Choreographic Marathon professional development and creation exchange; ti Krima! massive ensemble performance work for artists and communities; PREP for inclusive performance; 7 Days of Creation Residencies. Based in T’karonto Canada, online and worldwide. > www.acrossoceans.org