Kestrel PatonKestrel Paton is an emerging dance artist originally from the mountain community of the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. She began her dance training at the age of six at Turning Pointe Dance Studio where she completed her R.A.D Intermediate Ba…

Kestrel Paton

Kestrel Paton is an emerging dance artist originally from the mountain community of the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. She began her dance training at the age of six at Turning Pointe Dance Studio where she completed her R.A.D Intermediate Ballet Examinations and trained in a variety of styles including tap, jazz, hip-hop and musical theatre.   Despite her small town beginnings she has had opportunities to dance in Jasper assisting alongside Showtime Productions at Rocky Mountain Dance Project, a summer intensive scholarship at Edge Performing Arts Centre in Los Angeles and getting the chance to train and perform in company with the Broadway dancers of “Matilda” in  New York City. Kestrel also trained with Desiree as part of her Catalyst dance mentorship last spring.

Kestrel is currently furthering her dance exploration through her third year at Simon Fraser University. While there, she has performed repertoire by Chengxin Wei, KT Niehoff, collaborations with peers, as well as venturing into dance film.  She is currently working with Henry Daniel in his upcoming piece Nomadas. She is thrilled to be joining Dezza Dance as an apprentice and be on a team of motivated and inspiring artists.

 

Derya Whaley-KaoloraDerya is an 18 year old dancer, musician, and climber from Vancouver BC. She has been dancing since she was 2, and movement has always been an integral part of her life. She danced at a community centre for many years before movi…

Derya Whaley-Kaolora

Derya is an 18 year old dancer, musician, and climber from Vancouver BC. She has been dancing since she was 2, and movement has always been an integral part of her life. She danced at a community centre for many years before moving to Arts Umbrella when she was 10. She trained at Arts Umbrella in their dance company for 7 years as part of their semi professional program, having opted out of the professional stream.

Derya has performed on stage for several dance companies, as well as independently choreographing and performing dances for a youth festival. This is her first year dancing outside of Arts Umbrella, and she is excited and honored to be a part of Dezza Dance as an apprentice. She hopes her work with the company will continue in the future, as her passion for dance is something that will never end.