This sit or stand class is all about feeling the music in the body and letting the body and mind dance together! Each session includes a rhythmic but gentle warm-up followed by dance elements that can all be done while standing or sitting. Katya integrates elements from several dance styles and provides an example and general structure, encouraging each person to move in the ways that work for their body and mobility. The music includes Brazilian drumming, Cuban, Big band, Jazz, and Waltz.

Katya Kuznetsova is a dance artist, educator and cultural producer with a focus and practice of building communities through dance. She develops and facilitates dance workshops and choreographies for beginners, as well as special workshops for the elderly, wheelchair movers and people with visual impairments. Through the Dance Together Project, Katya creates dance with “non-dancers” in a way that embraces vulnerability, builds confidence and opens access to the joy of human connection. She has developed and facilitated dance programs for Wheel Dance, Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Sarah Elizabeth Centre, Sunnybrook Veterans Center and various retirement communities in the GTA. As a co-founder and co-producer of the Dance Together Festival, she is invested in opening access to positive dance experiences for everyone.

**This workshop is free, thanks to the generous support of the Markham Arts Council. Proudly presented as part Ontario Culture Days.

This is a feel-good class known to inspire positivity, build community, and get all ages and abilities moving and grooving! We'll join together in some simple moves and make our own creative choices with each movement. Although we're all doing the same thing, we'll each look completely different while we do it! Celebrating our unity AND individuality! This 45 minute playlist will include a variety of music and dance styles, and finish with a self-guided stretch and peaceful stillness.

Libby Avalos is the co-director and owner of ARTSies Inc. in Markham, which provides musical theatre classes, camps, and exciting performance opportunities to youth of all ages. She retired from her career as a professional dancer in late 2011, after spending many years performing abroad, and refocused on her life-long passion of teaching. Libby believes deeply that the arts can change the world for the better, by changing people for the better!

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*This workshop is free, thanks to the generous support of the Markham Arts Council. Proudly presented as part of Ontario Culture days, in partnership with Dance Together Project.