Season 18: Artistic Director Statement
"Eighteen years ago, we planted a seed in North Vancouver with a clear goal: to build a sanctuary for emerging dance artists—a space where raw potential turns into confident, authentic artistry, bridging the gap between training and a professional career."
As we step into Season 18, we celebrate nearly two decades of evolution, growth, and creative courage. But above all, we celebrate the community that makes our home complete. This season is an invitation to bring people together, spark inspiration, and stand firmly on our values of inclusivity, equality, and affordability.
A New Winter Chapter: From A Winter’s Twist to Alice in Winterland
Over the past five years, our holiday production A Winter’s Twist—our contemporary take on Romeo and Juliet—reached thousands of audience members, including public school students from North Vancouver to Abbotsford. What makes this tradition so special to us is inviting young local dancers (ages 9–16) to share the stage with our company artists, creating a real sense of mentorship and inspiration right in the theatre.
Building on that legacy, we are embarking on a brand-new creation this year: Alice in Winterland, premiering in December 2026. And for the very first time, we are expanding our winter show beyond North Vancouver to bring this new story to the iconic Vancouver Playhouse.
Celebrating 15 Years of Community: Lamondance and Friends
Artistic excellence flourishes when it is shared. Marking 15 years in our community, our annual Lamondance and Friends Gala brings together local dance studios, pre-professional programs, and professional companies on one stage. It is a true celebration of unity and the incredible talent we have across our region.
Empowering the Creator: The Residency Project
Following last season's successful prototype, we are taking The Residency Project even further. This initiative hands the creative and production reins directly to our dancers—giving them the space not only to choreograph and develop their artistic voices, but to learn the full reality of producing a show from top to bottom. It is our incubator for the future choreographers and artistic leaders of the dance world.
Season Finale: A.I. Anatomy of Illusion
Giving a platform to distinct choreographic voices has always been central to who we are. Our season finale brings together six world premieres, blending vibrant local and international perspectives: Distinct Local Voices: We are thrilled to welcome two outstanding female choreographers—Eowynn Enquist, returning to create her first solo work for the company, and our Rehearsal Director Margarida Macieira, creating a powerful new group work. To balance these perspectives, we are welcoming Arash Khakpour, bringing his unique movement language and deep experience to our studio. International Perspective: Directly from Brazil, choreographer Fábio Alcântara joins us to share his international voice and build a new work with our cohort. New Works by Davi Rodrigues: I am honoured to create two new pieces this season—Synthetic Waves, created for our training program to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and human connection, and 1000 Souls, One Life for the professional company. Since our inception, Lamondance has commissioned and premiered over 90 original works—a milestone that truly defines the fabric of who we are today.
With Deep Gratitude
We are so excited to welcome our new roster of dancers, who will share this journey alongside our returning company artists. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors, sponsors, and supporters. Your belief in what we do is the reason we are here today, ensuring that high-level dance training and performance remain accessible to everyone. We are so proud of these 18 years, and we can’t wait to share this season ahead with you.
