Professional Classes
WCD offers advanced/professional level classes. These classes are typically technique classes, run in conjunction with WCD’s project work, and often serve as company class. Most classes are free.
All current information about WCD class is posted here.
Classes listed here are also open to drop-ins; please register in advance.
To register and reserve your spot please email communications@winnipegscontemporarydancers.ca
UPCOMING CLASSES 23/24:
April 15-19
April 22-26
More classes to be announced!
All classes run 10:00-11:00am, unless otherwise specified.
*Please do not attend class if you have a fever or are feeling unwell.
All drop-in dancers must complete a waiver before participating in class.
Classes are geared towards advanced/professional level contemporary dancers and most often serve as WCD’s company class. Participants often include WCD dancers, independent dancers, graduates and aspiring graduates of professional training programs, choreographers, and/or those that are working, or aspiring to work, as a contemporary dancer.
Classes are often led by Artistic Director, Jolene Bailie with live drumming by Ian Mikita.
In conjunction with seasonal programming, WCD may also offer workshops with Guest Artists.
March 5-6, 18-22
February 05-09, 12-16
January 29-Feb 02
January 09-12, 19, 22-26
December 12-15, 18-22
November 17: Masterclass led by Claire O’Neil
November 12: Call for Dancers
October 16, 17, 18, 2
scroll down for more info
Masterclass led by Claire O’Neil
Friday, November 17, 10:00am-12:00pm
Free/Pay What You May
WCD is thrilled to welcome Claire O’Neil to lead a masterclass! Claire O’Neil is a co-creator of The Impossible Has Already Happened, a new work being presented by WCD, motivated by the incredible scale and enormity of the climate crisis. Working from our liquid selves, we will practice becoming water – we will flow around obstacles and merge with the ocean’s endless roll. Spaciousness will support our dancing as we expand into our watery beings. Class begins with a warm-up and builds into an exciting rigorous masterclass.
Claire O’Neil Claire is an artistic director, performance maker, dance and movement educator, performing artist , community project builder, mentor and advisor in dance and choreography. She has created, collaborated and presented over 35 performance works. She resided in Belgium for 10 years and developed an international career in performance and teaching dance for prestigious companies in Europe. She returned to New Zealand in 2011 and achieved a Masters in Dance in 2016. Currently Claire is in her first year of a PhD in Creative Practice at the University of Auckland exploring somatic arts and sustainability, whilst continuing her role as Mum to her two girls, Georgie and Iris O’Neil.
Drawing on choreographic excerpts from The Impossible Has Already Happened, this is also an opportunity to experience material developed in process with its co-creators – Canadian choreographer Jennifer Mascall and New Zealand choreographer Claire O’Neil.
If you are new to WCD and/or have not participated in a class or workshop at WCD since October 16, 2023, a registration form/waiver is required for participation. A registration form/waiver is only required once per season. Please submit registration form to communications@winnipegscontemporarydancers.ca
Call for Dancers
We are thrilled to commission Guest Choreographer, Jera Wolfe, to create a new work for WCD!
WCD invites Winnipeg-based contemporary dancers who wish to be considered for this project to join us for an in-person open house.
Before registration please read FULL INFO here
Open House for Dancers
Sunday, November 12th, 3:15 pm – 5:00 pm at WCD
Interested artists are required to register in advance, through Eventbrite and email, by November 05, 2023.
Once you have completed your registration through Eventbrite, please email us the following information to complete your registration:
– 200 (max) word bio
– headshot
Please email your submission to: submissions@winnipegscontemporarydancers.ca
About Jera Wolfe:
“Dancing is powerful. It has the strength to heal, tell stories and break down societal walls. Dance has been with us since the earliest moments of existence. Let it be the conduit of ritual, a passing of energy from those who have come before us.” – Jera Wolfe
Wolfe is an artist of Métis heritage. His captivating choreography awarded him the 2019 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Original Choreography for Trace by Red Sky Performance. His impressive repertoire has been presented by Canadian Stage, Fall For Dance North, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Festival des arts de Saint-Sauveur, Danse Danse, Jacob’s Pillow and more. His choreography has toured Europe, the United States and Canada.
Equally celebrated as a performer, Wolfe has performed across Canada, and on the world stage in the United States and Europe.
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TRY CLASS AT HOME – free online and on demand.
WCD: Class at Home!
Free! Online and on demand!
Geared towards advanced and professional level contemporary dancers, classes are created for a smaller dancing area and as an option for dancers to train at home during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Two versions of each class are available. The first version has a breakdown and teaching of each setting. The second version moves at a much quicker pace, offering the option to run class.
Available for dancers to do at home and at their convenience.
Artist Fees for WCD’s online classes were made possible with the additional support of a Safe at Home grant from the Government of Manitoba.
PAST SEASONS
In 22/23, WCD offered 108 in-person classes and an improvisation workshop with Guest Artist, Daina Ashbee.
In 21/22, WCD offered 88 in-person classes and creative workshops/classes with Guest Artists Sara Porter, Jera Wolfe and Marie-Josée Chartier.
In 20/21, WCD offered 72 in-person classes, free online classes (see WCD: Class at Home, links below) and creative workshops/classes with Guest Artists Syreeta Hector and Marie-Josée Chartier.