MOVMNT COLLECTIVE

Given Kofi Yirenkyi (He/Him) is a graduate of York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance & Choreography and, Bachelor of Education in Intermediate/Senior Division studies. Given has experience working with a variety of dancers teaching drop-in dance classes with Hip-Hop Dance Club at York, working with youth at high schools such as Etobicoke School of The Arts and, supporting in leadership roles of various companies such as I.E Crew and now, The MOVMNT Collective. Given hopes to continue gaining practical experience in traditional and non-traditional learning spaces as he continues his studies and artistic exploration. Given's Kofi Yirenkyi's desire to teach, stems from his personal journey of exploring his ethnic identity rooted in Afro-Caribbean and Hispanic heritage, which also influences his passion to advocate for students who seek understanding within their own  intersectional identities. His experience as a minoritized individual with a learning exceptionality, has driven his ambition to promote accessibility within the arts.

Derick “XclusiV” Robinson is a soulful, experienced and unique individual who doesn't fear exploring creativity and innovation as a dancer, teacher and mentor. His distinct style is anything but ordinary, his ability to think outside the box is what truly makes him an addition to the dance community. He is a seasoned educator with knowledge in Hip Hop, Commercial and street dance dedicated to helping his students be the absolute best version of themselves both on and off the stage. Excited to continue his journey with dance; Derick is eager, enthusiastic and strives to bring something new and different to this world.

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Essie James is a visionary choreographer and administrative expert hailing from diverse artistic realms. As a non-binary trailblazer, Essie is dedicated to shattering the confines of traditional gender norms within the realm of dance. Their artistic journey is an embodiment of fluidity, both in movement and identity. Beyond the studio, Essie's administrative prowess in the arts has been indispensable, orchestrating the seamless confluence of creativity and logistics. This fusion of artistic brilliance and pragmatic acumen has propelled Essie to new heights in the art world. Embarking on an exciting new chapter, Essie's journey now takes them to Montreal, a city renowned for its artistic vibrancy, where they are poised to further cultivate their passion for choreography. Through their groundbreaking work, Essie James continues to redefine dance, inviting us all to join them in a mesmerizing dance of self-confidence and growth

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At the age of 16, Leah realized her passion for teaching and choreographing and hasn't looked back since. Shortly after moving to Toronto, Leah founded BOSS Dance Company (2012), an organization built on empowerment and expression for womxn in hip hop dance where she directed/choreographed five productions and mentored countless aspiring professional dancers over 10 years. Leah has also worked with hundreds of schools, studios and competitions in various capacities across Canada, the U.S, the UK, Ireland, Poland, Scotland, Hungary and Romania to spread her love of dance and knowledge to students around the world.

Leah is a Commercial Dance Professor at Centennial College, the resident choreographer for Canada's number one kids pop group Mini Pop Kids and recently toured across North America as their assistant tour producer and manager. She is also the Festival Coordinator at Fall For Dance North (Canada's Premiere International Dance Festival), a producer for the Discover Dance series at TOLive, and a sought out consultant and creative director for corporate and commercial companies in addition to her choreographic practice. 

Leah paved her own path and is committed to helping her mentees do the same. She aspires to inspire and to provide opportunities for the next generation of leaders to design purposeful and passion-driven lives.

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Adrianna Perryman is a dancer, choreographer and creative director. She has over 18 years of dance experience training and competing in styles such as hip hop, contemporary and jazz.  Adrianna was formly I.E. Crew's President and now co-directs and choreographs for I.E. an award winning crew based in Toronto. She also was a former company dancer with BOSS dance Co from 2019-2021. Adrianna is also a community health worker and community advocate. She strives to give back to her community in different ways and does this through various projects. Wonderfully Made is a non-profit she founded that focuses on uplighting Black and Brown women. Her program is founded on using an Afrocentric approach to empower young women to be proud of their Afrocentric roots, their skin and natural hair. This desire to uplift Black folks also translates to her artistry in which she passionate about making her dancers feel empowered through her choreographic movement. She uses hip hop, soca, dancehall and reggae culture to inspire her movement and pieces. Moreover, her style of choreography centers on fusing together  various street styles while also bringing forth Caribbean styles of movement. She is passionate about creating spaces for dancers to grow and find ways to celebrate their individuality and artistry through teaching and mentorship. 

Jendayi "Jiggz" Dyer is a multi-hyphenate professional and artist who began her street dance journey in 2006, performing, competing and working on various stages and films across Canada since her professional career began in 2012. Last year, she danced for the Superbowl x Captain Morgan half time show campaign, as well as performed for Manifesto’s headliner, Notifi. Most recently, she's been casted as one of the principal dancers, Queen Charlotte in Netflix’s more recent immersive shows, The Bridgerton Experience Toronto, in addition to other Netflix and various Disney productions namely Zombies 2 and 3 and, Sneakerella. Regularly, she instructs the initial probation group in Footnotes Academy, Toronto’s only long-term Street Dance training company founded in 2014. Additionally, she spends time sharing her knowledge with students at both Run the Flex studio and City Centre Dance. She also represents Twisted Ankles dance crew and co-founded an award-winning, all-women street dance crew, House of Hunniez.

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Faith Jade is a dance artist, choreographer and educator in Toronto, Ontario. As an accomplished performer, Faith Jade works as a choreographer and commercially as a dancer across the GTA. She is a proud graduate of York University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Dance and Education, Bachelor of Education program, and is currently completing a Masters of Education focused on Blackness in Arts Education. 

Faith Jade is the Founder and Artistic Director of For The Culture Co. which was created to elevate dance education and center black influences in dance. It is the company's goal to pay homage to the pioneers of Black dance and culture by educating and empowering dancers to be knowledgeable stewards of the culture for future generations. 

Her passion for arts education and Black liberation through the arts stems from a desire to use her gift of creation to facilitate and hold space for underrepresented voices. As a Black dance artist, Faith Jade recognizes the need for black-affirming, excellence-driven spaces and opportunities in order to elevate Black art within the Toronto community

Esie Mensah is an award winning choreographer, director, dancer, movement director, educator, and TEDx speaker. A member of the Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers as well as a two-time Dora nominated artist who has worked with megastars like Rihanna, Drake, Janelle Monae, Nelly Furtado and Arcade Fire to historic brands like Holt Renfrew, Coca-Cola, TIFF, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto Raptors, and more. In theatre Mensah has worked on Russian Play, Victory, Farmers’ Revolt (Shaw Festival), Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Soulpepper), Dixon Road (Musical Stage/Obsidian), New Monuments (Canadian Stage), and Serving Elizabeth (Theatre Aquarius). Original creations include ZAYO, Dora-nominated Shades, and films A Revolution of Love, and TESSEL. Recently commissioned by Canada’s National Ballet School for Assemblée International, Robert Binet (Ballet) and Mensah (Afrofusion) co-choreographed the world premiere of “The Call” on a cast of local and international students. Esie was the choreographer for Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha: A Musical Reimagining presented by TOLive, the Luminato Festival and Volcano Theatre.

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Lyza Manalo (she/her), is a filipina-artist born and raised in Toronto, ON. She has had a strong passion for dance since the age of 3. In 2015, she discovered the Heels community and has been refining her craft in a stiletto ever since, training under the mentorship of Kaela Faloon, Galen Hooks & many more. Lyza has found her true passion for Heels as it combines her knowledge of technical training as well as her deep passion for community. As a choreographer, Lyza’s goal is to not only break the boundaries of Heels dancing ideals, but also to push her dancers to perform from a place of honesty and vulnerability. Jazz lines, Old School hits & an opportunity to strengthen your Heels foundations are all present aspects when working with Lyza.

Originally from Nanaimo, British Columbia, Kiana has been dancing since the age of 3, and is trained in styles such as: Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Jazz, Acro, and Burlesque. Apart from dancing her whole childhood, Kiana was a competitive gymnast, and a classically trained as a singer for 7 years. When she moved across the country to Toronto, Kiana attended a 3-year Bachelor program studying Musical Theatre at Randolph Academy. Also known by the name “Kiki”, Kiana represents two Hip Hop crews: ‘Footnotes Elite’, and the all-female crew she co-founded, ‘House of Hunniez’.

Born a performer, Kiana has always been drawn to the stage and is grateful to have found herself on many stages across the world. Some of Kiki’s performance highlights include: “A Trip To Unicorn Island” World Tour with YouTube sensation Lilly Singh; a Quebec tour performing in Just For Laugh’s ‘Footloose’ the Musical, dancing with Rihanna, Drake, Machel Montano and more; and was a selected for Monsters cast in 2019.

In addition to stage performances, she has also been on numerous TV show and movie sets with Nickelodeon, Disney, CBC and Netflix. Some shows include “Zapped”, “Jinxed”, “Grand Army”,”Tall Boyz”, “Work It”, “Spin”, “Sneakerella”, “Zombies 3”, and Season 8 of “The Next Step”. 

When she’s off stage, Kiana is also a seasoned and passionate teacher and creator. Whether as a school teacher, or in a dance studio, she has taught, choreographed and adjudicated in many cities coast-to-coast across Canada and the US.

Between all jobs and performances, Kiana is also a business owner. She owns a wedding company, Save The First Dance, choreographing First Dances and arranging anything talent and media for weddings, and also is the producer and owner of UNITE Dance Showcase, a showcase with the motivation to bring all genres, styles and scenes of the industry together. Catch the next one in 2024!