Oksana Maslechko
Oksana was introduced to a variety of dance through Slava Doval’s DanceFusion in Nelson, BC. Contemporary, Hip Hop, House, Afro, Bellydance, Folk, and Bollywood are just some of the styles that have had influence in her artistry. In 2016, she moved to Vancouver to train for two years with the Lamondance program followed by five years with the Lamondance Company, directed by Davi Rodrigues. Currently working as a freelance dance artist, Oksana has had the pleasure of working with professionals such as Rachel Meyer, Vanessa Goodman, Anya Saugstad, Idan Cohen, Alexis Fletcher, Wen Wei Wang, Nicolas Ventura, Brandon Lee Alley, Racheal Prince, Ziyian Kwan, Alex Neoral, Cristina Bucci, Yoshito Sakuraba, Lara Barclay, Kirsten Wicklund, Heather Laura Gray, Alysa Pires, Heather Dotto, and Shauna Elton.
Justin Rapaport
Justin Rapaport (he/him) is a freelance dance artist, choreographer and stager who enjoys collaborating and creating with like-minded artists and individuals. Most recently, he has worked with Kidd Pivot, Anne Plamondon and PARA.MAR Dance Theater. Justin is a former member of Ballet BC, where he had the opportunity to perform various solos and lead roles by choreographers such as Crystal Pite, William Forsythe, Aszure Barton, Ohad Naharin and Sharon Eyal. Justin received his formal training at New World School of the Arts, followed by The Juilliard School, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
Justin has delved into the choreographic realm throughout his career, starting with Peter London Global Dance Company in 2014 and has gone on to create numerous collaborations for the company. He has gone on to create with HD Theatre, Boykin Dance Projects, Dance Deck Dix and Ballet BC. Most notably in 2021, Justin created Passing By at Ballet BC, in collaboration with Evan Rapaport and Rae Srivastiva, which was selected as a finalist of the 14th Copenhagen International Choreography Competition, and awarded the Danish Dance Theater Award by Pontus Lidburg. Justin had the opportunity to set Passing By on Dansk Danseteater and present the work at the Copenhagen Summer Dance Festival in July 2023.
While growing in Miami, Justin was a trained violinist for 10 years, in addition to his rigorous dance training, but had to put it to the side as dance became his full-time focus after high school. He stills fiddles around with it from time to time. Outside of dance, Justin loves being outdoors biking or at the beach, and the occasional decadent donut.
Livona Ellis
Livona Ellis was born in Vancouver on the unceded territories of thexwməθkwəyə̓m(Musqueam),Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh(Squamish),andsəlilwətaɬ(Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
She has performed with Ballet BC (11 seasons), Buhnen Bern, Mascall Dance and Rachel Meyer. Livona has created works for Dances for a Small Stage, Dance Deck, Public Salon 2019, Contemporary Art Gallery Gala 2018, Arts Umbrella Season Finale, and Ballet BC Take Form. In 2017 she received the Vancouver Mayor's Arts Award for Emerging Artist and in 2023 received the inaugural Louise Bentall Award for Emerging Choreographer.
Livona began dancing with Kidd Pivot in June 2023 and is currently collaborating with NYC based artist Rebecca Margolick on the creation of their full length duet “Fortress”.
Marisa Gold
Dance artist, commissioned writer/spoken word performer
Marisa Gold is an intuitive multidisciplinary artist with a passion for all things soulful. She is an expressive dancer, poet, vocalist, choreographer, stylist, and actor whose work is embedded in self reflection, a deep love for humanity and reverence for our planet earth. Marisa has trained in a variety of Modern/Contemporary styles, with a BFA in dance (SFU), certificate of completion from The Ailey school Independent Study program (NYC), and The Graham school Intensive(NYC). Her professional experience ranges from modern/contemporary concert dance to experimental street style performance, and musical theatre productions to film and TV work. As a poet Marisa has performed spoken-word at various slams across BC and most recently she has released a handmade hardcover poetry book which is currently available as a special addition.
Marisa's artistic influences are strongly rooted in the heart space of her ancestors. She feels powerful and expansive when she remembers all who have come before her in artistic and self-expression. As a writer, mover, designer and performer, Marisa continues her poetic wandering; delving further with love into the mystery of our collective humanity as well as her own.
Juan Duarte
Juan Duarte is Brazilian Contemporary Ballet trained dancer based in Canada, After graduating from Bolshoi Ballet School and moving to Vancouver they/he have trained with Lamondance Company and Arts Umbrella Dance Company, from 2015 to 2019.
After that Juan has worked with Ballet BC, and started to work as a freelancer where they/he have had the opportunity to work with Move The Company, Traverse City Dance Project, Corporeal Imago and Belle Spirale.
Juan continues to share their/his beauty and artistry with the world, and has been a powerful member of the queer scene in Vancouver. As an ambitious and dedicated performer Juan is looking forward to what the future has to offer, and is very excited to continue to explore the meaning of diversity in the dance industry.
Will Jessup
Will Jessup, from Alberta, Canada is a Professional dance artist based in Vancouver BC. Will began his professional dance training with Lamon Dance Program (Aritstic director Davi Rodrigues) in 2019. After three years with Lamon he began working professionally with Ne.Sans Opera and Dance, Voirelia, Belle Spirale Dance Projects, Dance Novella, Vancouver Opera, Okamsracer. Zimmerdans.