Ying and Yang...

Thoughts from "Ninja"

I've spent a lot of time gazing in mirrors, bound up in spandex and lyric attire... pinned to perfection. The amount of work a dancer must put into ballet is both physically and mentally exhausting. Nonetheless, it is where my true passion of movement began.

Over the years, my thirst for new experiences grew immensely. I found myself indulging in fantasies of martial arts, flips, tricks, and breaking. I journeyed far from the structure and extremities of ballet, and began developing a style that would best express who I am... lethal grace, the technique and elegance of classical ballet infused with the raw and boundless freedom of street dance.

In my journeys, I have travelled many places and met various kinds of artists. I fall in sheer captivation every time I see someone fresh, passionate and willing to embrace their movements. These artists are able to tell definitive, captivating stories, and I have enjoyed being the author to some of their narratives.

The stage has always been my home. When I'm away from its dark floors, elevated heights, and eye-blinding lights, a part of me is missing. I have a deep rooted connection to the stage, and I use it as a vessel for journeys beyond the realm of our existence. It is a place where people can dwell in wonder, and allow themselves to sink to the emotional depths of the water.

I came to Toronto to study in performance arts. During this time, I met a part of me that had been buried in the core of my being. Like the water, it was in constant motion even when it appeared to be calm, still, and serene. I grew to understand that we hold this part inside of us, below the surface, moving as rapid as water. It's strength can carry us through the hardest of times, or drown us in the silence of our sorrow. Acknowledging this, has enabled me to grow, and find balance within myself. Now, all that I want is to have the chance to share this feeling, in every motion that unfolds... and connect with those who feel it too.

Mark your calenders. You do not want to be anywhere by at "The 5th Element" on Wednesday, May 5th, 2010.

Satisfying the Soul...

Thoughts from “Soul Sistah”

My dance career has existed in two worlds. Classical Dance and Street Dance.

Airplanes have taken me and my luggage to two different coasts. The East Coast, and the West Coast.

I sang the same song in both stories when I was at the point where I was trying to “find myself”. The lyrics went something like:

“Where do I fit in?”

“Where will people accept me for me?”

“Am I good enough to be here?”

“This isn’t working out, let me try something else...”

“I think I deserve to be here, but what do others think?”

But through growth, experience, and TONS of reading, I realized that it didn’t matter what city I was in, or what style I was doing. My location and what I was doing was irrelevant, so long as the soul was being satisfied.

Me and jazz have a great time together, but locking really knows how to make me smile. Contemporary and I connect, but popping really knows my soft spots. Ballet was my first relationship, but hip hop has my heart forever. I’m a dancer period, but I gravitate to the street dances more because I have a deeper connection to them. They take me on journeys that are unexplainable. I also learned that when it comes to being on either the east coast or west coast, the location doesn’t matter. My home is purely where my heart is.

This has motivated me to inspire those all over the world. Aid them in finding those very things that make them genuinely happy, and help them discover where they feel at their absolute best! Help them to discover their element.

Through the rumblings of the Earth, I found hope, discovered faith, and found my element.

Through the rumblings of the Earth, I found what touches my soul.

Mark your calendars. You don't want to be anywhere else but at "The 5th Element" on Wednesday May 5th, 2010.

CATALYST Presents 'The 5th Element' "An insatiable journey..."

Thoughts from "Firestarter"

To the glam of Hollywood, to the street hustle of New York, to the artistic landscape of London, England, my dance career has miraculously allowed me to venture the world’s top entertainment cities. I have witnessed some of the most fascinating people, places, and things, while transforming enormously at every single moment.

Upon returning to Toronto last year, many people ask “Why did you come back?” or ‘You must miss LA.” And my answer is always the same. “I came back because I was ready to come HOME.” After searching outside of myself for so long, I realized that the real answers I needed were already inside of me. I had found my element.

For Toronto, I see the most fascinating things. I see possibility. I see incredible opportunity. I see raw talent just waiting to sprout. I see creative excitement. This is what keeps my fire burning. This is what ignites my contagious spark.

The 5th Element represents the insatiable journey that we are on every day. Each one of us has something unique to offer the world. Through this show, we have created a fresh platform for our city’s most extraordinary talent, from emerging to professional, to tell their stories and reveal their dynamic gifts. With no rules but our own, let us build together. Let us find solutions instead of problems. Let us look at our own self-reflection instead of spending precious time mirroring others.

It is my great honor to invite you in joining Catalyst and Special Guests as we entice you with our elements in hopes that you will discover yours. As Catalysts, we dance to inspire change….for ourselves, for each other, for our city, for the world…..

Mark your calendars. You don’t want to be anywhere but at “The 5 Element” on Wednesday, May 5th, 2010.

“From the rumblings of the earth, to the emotional depths of the water, to the burning passion of the fire, to the flying freedom of the air….”

Get Ready.

CATALYST teaching at DANCE-UP-A-SWEAT DANCE ATHON tomorrow! Come out and support a great cause!

Cat Jae and Cat Tash will be teaching tomorrow at the DANCE-UP-A-SWEAT DANCE A-THON

Sunday March 14th
Joy of Dance Studio
CATALYST workshop 2:30-3:10pm

All proceeds going to the Haiti Reflief. Come out, move and shake, and support a great cause!!

CATALYST Quote of the Day

"Making the Unknown KNOWN is the most important thing."