Performer Schedule

Memories of Spain
Memories of Spain Dance Company (formerly Flamenco Festival Dancers) is a professional dance company dedicated to presenting the colourful and passionate dance which originated in Spain. Company shows delight audiences of all ages and include lively and dramatic dances that honour traditional flamenco, Spanish classical and modern popular trends.

Carol C Dance Studio
Carol C Dance Studio is dedicated to educate younger generations of Chinese Canadians in the diversity of Chinese culture, as they discover the stories and history behind the dances they learn. Our dance program encourages community involvement and cultural awareness through year-round performances at local events, charities, and festivals around the York Region and Toronto areas. Our studio offers classes from 15 months and up, including Chinese Dance, Acro dance, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Ballet.

Kick Up A Fuss Cloggers
We are Kick Up a Fuss Cloggers under the direction of Angela Cameron. We have been performing with the Uxbridge Scottish Festival for quite a few years. Clogging is one of the fastest growing forms of recreational and publicly performed dancing in North America and now sweeping Canada Also known as buck dancing, flatfoot dancing and hoedown dancing, It is most often just called clogging. In its original form, clogging is a rhythmic tapping of the feet.

Bollywood Zumba
It is our pleasure to welcome ladies from the Swan Lake Village. The Bollywood Zumba classes are conducted by Ami. Ami is a self-inspired individual with a passion for dancing.
As for everyone, fitness is essential for staying mobile and active, and can even help lower your risk or help improve certain health conditions. Certain physical activities and specific regimens can even make quality of life better by reducing falls and improving balance.
Today, this group will show you “fitness” moves via Bollywood songs. You can see the two participants doing Chair Zumba.
Soooo clap along and enjoy.

Chinese Collective Arts
Chinese Collective Arts Association (CCAA) is a non-profit organization established in 2009 to promote and educate Chinese cultural arts to the community through classes, workshops, and events. In 2019, CCAA represented Canada at the International Folklore Festival in Europe. In 2020, Markham Performing Arts Awards recognized CCAA as the Community Artist/Group of the Year.

Ahkenam Arts
Parai (Drum) is one of the earliest percussion instruments, dating back to prehistoric times. It is often accompanied with Parai Aattam, in which the artist beats the Parai and dances to its rhythm.

Kicks Dance Studio
KICKS DANCE STUDIO is a family operated business that has been proudly serving Markham since 1984 and Mount Albert since 2014! Voted the TOP CHOICE dance studio for multiple years in a row, KICKS has earned an outstanding reputation for providing high-quality dance education in a nurturing and positive environment. Studio Directors and Managers, Mrs. Courtney Drake, Ms. Jo-Ann Ko, Ms. Courtney Burnatowski & Mrs. Morgan Vallee-Schoales are a hardworking, passionate team that pride themselves in offering high quality dance programs for ages 3 and up. Recreational and competitive classes include Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Acro, Musical Theatre, Mini Dance, Contemporary, Pointe, Conditioning, and Technique as well as Adult Fitness classes!

Canada One Family Network
Ms. Zhu Yanyan, a Guqin player and performer developed this heritage studying with Guqin masters of Jinling School, Zhucheng School and Guangling School. She is founder of Toronto Ya-Yue Art Centre started in 2008 and over 10 years held traditional culture and arts lectures in Yaji (elegant gathering), classical music concerts, art exhibitions and other Literati based cultural activities to promote Chinese traditional court music, classic Kunqu music and literati arts, martial arts, tea culture and etc. for University of Toronto Libraries, Public Libraries, several universities & colleges and communities in several cities across Canada in Asian Heritage Month Celebration. She is founder of Canada One Family Network started in 2015 promote annual Age of Literati Culture Festival, including presentation, performance, workshops, concerts , art exhibitions, Go contest, tea ceremony etc. to demonstrate literati philosophy, literature, and arts. COFN provide education and performance for public and contribute to multicultural Canadian community.

West Indian Fusion Dance
West Indian Fusion Dance Center was established in 2006 by artistic director. Selena Naraine-Jalser as an opportunity to share her love for dance and to help promote the cultural development of the youth in the community. They specialize in a variety of East and West Indian Style dances such as Bharatnatyam, Bollywood, Semi-Classical, Folk, Chutney, and Soca.

Ensemble Topaz
Ensemble Topaz is a Toronto and Hamilton-based dance ensemble dedicated to the performance traditions of Central Asia and South Asia, including the regions of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Iran. They have performed widely across Ontario, and their dance is featured in a number of Afghan and Afghan-Tajik music videos. They are the recipient of numerous grants from Ontario Arts Council and Toronto Arts Council.

Nimkii-nini
Nimkii-nini (Thunder-man) is an Odawa/Potawatami member of the Bear Clan from Wiikwemkoongsing on Manitoulin Island. A lifelong dancer, he began with Fancy Dance and later earned his hoops at age 13. Known for sharing ancestral stories through song and dance, he teaches bravery and courage alongside his daughter Maamaatesiinh.

Laya Bhava Dance Academy
Laya Bhava Dance Academy is a school of Bharathanatyam, Indian Classical Dance. It was established in 1986 by our artistic director, Mrs.Kirupanithy Ratneswaran and follows the kalakshetra style. We have locations in Markham, Scarborough and Toronto.
Our school trains students to learn this Indian classical dance and perform as well. Students from the age of 5 to 35 continue to learn dance.
Our school provides yearly examinations for all students and offers high school credit courses. We have two textbooks written by our artistic director, Mrs.Kirupanithy Ratneswaran which we use to teach dance and theory.

Kud Biljana
St. Dimitrija Solunski Macedonian Church, established in 1996, is not only a spiritual center for the Macedonian community but also a vibrant hub for cultural expression. One of its most cherished traditions is the KUD Biljana ethnic dance group, which has been an important part of the church since its opening. The group, named after the popular Macedonian folk song, brings together dancers ranging in age from 4 to 16 years old, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Macedonia through traditional dance and music. KUD Biljana is split into two age-specific groups, ensuring that both younger and older participants can embrace and preserve the folk dances and customs passed down through generations. The church and dance group together foster a sense of community and pride in the Macedonian identity, enriching the cultural landscape of the area.

Wayne Madder
Wayne Madder, Songwriter, recipient Album of the Year OMAs2022 and Honorable Mention winner ISC2023.

Raging Dave
I am inspired by the various musical styles of Louisiana from Creole, Cajun, Swamp Pop, Blues and New Orleans Jazz. My primary instrument is the Cajun Box and the Piano Accordion and I perform both solo and with my band. I have traveled extensively to southwestern Louisiana to learn the music, language and cultures from such a diverse region. In addition to my travels to Louisiana, I have traveled to the Maritimes in Canada to further my understanding of the Acadian culture and how it continues to connect with Cajun music.

Jessica Lockwood
Jessica Lockwood is quickly becoming a name to watch in the music world, taking the scene by storm with her debut single, “Only Child”. Coming from Milton, ON, Jessica's relatable lyrics and authentic storytelling have already earned her a growing fanbase, and she's only just getting started.

Norm
I am inspired by the various musical styles of Louisiana from Creole, Cajun, Swamp Pop, Blues and New Orleans Jazz. My primary instrument is the Cajun Box and the Piano Accordion and I perform both solo and with my band. I have traveled extensively to southwestern Louisiana to learn the music, language and cultures from such a diverse region. In addition to my travels to Louisiana, I have traveled to the Maritimes in Canada to further my understanding of the Acadian culture and how it continues to connect with Cajun music.