Throughout the year, the National Centre for Dance Therapy (NCDT) launched a flourishing array of social and cultural initiatives, reaffirming its commitment to providing individuals with access to the full experience of the arts, particularly those facing barriers.
In collaboration with Studio GB, the NCDT partnered to represent Les Grands Ballets during the 5 à 7 Culturels at the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. For the first time, Les Grands Ballets featured two of the recreative class dancers of the NCDT, Rose and Matthew. They participated in a ballet class led by former dancers of Les Grands Ballets, alongside other adults of all ages from the Studios GB dance classes. Rose and Matthew also performed a reimagined duo of the Peasant Pas de Deux from Giselle.
On May 29, Place des Arts welcomed over 500 spectators for a relaxed performance of the romantic ballet Giselle, presented by Les Grands Ballets. This inclusive initiative, now in its fourth edition since 2022, featured performances from the company’s regular programming offered free of charge to the public thanks to the support of the City of Montreal.
Summer was marked by the graduation of our fourth cohort of dance therapy students of the Alternate Route. These 16 graduates, now ready to contribute to the field, will work in various settings across Quebec, Canada, the United States, Colombia, and Europe.
Staying true to its desire to create collective bridges, the NCDT spread Lazylegz's message during the No Limits event. B-Boys and B-Girls, both amateur and professional, competed in a friendly dance battle. The stage was illuminated by Ill-Abilities, students from the Creative Workshops led by Luca "Lazylegz" Patuelli and Melissa Emblin, and students from Canada’s National Ballet School. We also had the privilege of welcoming Phil Wizard, the Canadian champion at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, into the competition!
In the spring, a workshop-conference led by Rebecca Barnstaple, Ph.D., at Les Grands Ballets' Studios GB brought together stakeholders from the cultural and health sectors. This event highlighted the impact of the arts on health and well-being, inspired by the model of the Centre de santé Chigamik prescribing. Social prescribing, a growing approach, connects individuals to non-clinical community programs to support their well-being.
In June, Émilie Barrette (Head of Dance Therapy within our team and former adapted dance teacher) also embarked on an exchange trip to the Chigamik Community Health Centre to contribute to the training of future generations in adapted dance.
Throughout the year, we have benefited from the support of the City of Montreal and built new partnerships that allow us to continue offering quality programs and expanding our reach. Our new partners in 2024 include: the Dollard Center for the Arts, Les Petits Rois Foundation with the Smart Home of Petits Rois, the Véro and Louis Foundation, John F. Kennedy School, and many others. These collaborations will enable us to keep pushing forward.
In 2024, the NCDT collaborated on research projects by partnering with Dr. Melissa Park,Ph.D., occupational therapist and leader of the JAM projects, which explore ways to break the isolation of seniors in Black and E2IAN communities. This collaboration also includes a partnership with Florian Ground, where aesthetic practices are approached: a deep listening that engages all our senses and integrates aesthetic production. Furthermore, the NCDT is involved in a research project led by Martin Lemay, a full professor at the Department of Physical Activity Sciences at UQAM and regular researcher at the Azrieli Research Center of CHU Sainte-Justine, titled "Dancing in the Metaverse." These initiatives are expected to yield promising outcomes in the community as early as 2025.
In October, our teams also participated in international conferences including the ADTA in Chicago, the AMPQ, and the Entretiens Jacques Cartier, strengthening our national and international presence.
In conclusion, 2024 saw the NCDT continue to assert itself as a leader in the fields of dance therapy and adaptive dance, combining innovation, inclusion, and excellence.
