Written by Larissa Sharma, Community Engagement Manager

Masterclasses were among the first spaces where my relationship to dance began to deepen. Growing up, I signed up for every masterclass I could find, knowing that each one held the potential to expand my practice in unexpected ways, from technical discoveries to creative breakthroughs. Today, whenever Dance Victoria presents a company, we offer a free masterclass as part of the artists’ visit, opening that same kind of opportunity to our community. Having experienced firsthand how impactful these classes can be, it feels especially meaningful to now help bring them to dancers across Victoria.

Nearly 200 people participated in DV masterclasses last season! The 2025/26 season opened with a contemporary class led by Cheng I-Han, Rehearsal Director of Hung Dance from Taiwan. The class brought together a focused group of nearly 30 intermediate adult dancers who explored Artistic Director Lai Hung-Chung’s movement vocabulary and the dynamic interplay between motion and stillness through techniques rooted in Tai Chi principles.

Tillicum Elementary School workshop with Dancers of Damelahamid Artistic Director, Margaret Grenier. Photo: Larissa Sharma

With each visiting dance company comes the opportunity to offer our community something distinct. Some artists offer classes for those new to movement, while others share material that challenges even the most experienced dancers. Dance Victoria’s community programming expands beyond the studio and into our work with local schools. Through recent partnerships with Tillicum Elementary School, for example, students were introduced to Classical Indian dance by Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, and to Coastal Indigenous dance by Dancers of Damelahamid. These offerings reflect our commitment to creating accessible and welcoming entry points to dance.

In-school performance by Nrityagram Dance Ensemble at Tillicum Elementary School. Photo: Larissa Sharma

To support this work, Dance Victoria partners with local studios to host masterclasses, deepening relationships with the spaces and educators that sustain dance across our city. Working within community studios allows us to highlight the venues where dance lives and grows in Victoria, while bringing touring artists into those spaces. Host studios are invited to reserve a portion of spots for their own students, ensuring meaningful access, while the remaining spaces are opened to the broader community.

Community Masterclass with Rafaela Carrasco at West Coast Academy of Performing Arts. Photo: Dayna Szyndrowski

Being present in these classes, and occasionally joining in, continually reminds me why this work matters. You can feel the moment when a new idea lands, when curiosity builds, and when community begins to form through movement. When dancers from across our city come together with a visiting artist, the room fills with shared energy and possibility. We are off to a vibrant start this season, and I look forward to continuing to grow these opportunities in the seasons ahead. – LS

Consider a Year-end Gift!

At Dance Victoria, we believe that dance is a necessity. Each year, we strive to expand access to dance through free programming at our Quadra Village studios, community masterclasses and workshops, and local partnerships that leverage DV’s resources and creative capacity.⁠
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As we approach Dec. 31, please consider making a year-end gift to Dance Victoria. Your support ensures that Greater Victoria audiences can experience high-calibre, boundary-pushing dance, alongside meaningful community impact.⁠

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