Sable Island (2015), Photo Credit: Holly Crooks
Mocean Dance was founded in K'jipuktuk/Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2001 by Carolle Crooks Fernando, Sarah Rozee, Sara Harrigan, Alicia Orr MacDonald, and Lisa Phinney Langley.
Led by Co-Artistic Directors Susanne Chui and Sara Coffin, Mocean is recognized nationally as a leading contemporary dance company from the Atlantic region. Working with both locally and nationally renowned choreographers, Mocean brings together talented artists to create exciting new work that is rooted in collaborative process, stretches physical and emotional boundaries and finds authenticity.
Mocean was honoured with The Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Art Award in 2016 for Canvas 5 x 5, which was the first time this esteemed award has been given to a Nova Scotia dance work.
A Company-in-Residence at Halifax Dance since 2002, Mocean is committed to being based in Nova Scotia and contributing to the province's local dance and arts community by providing opportunities for creation, performance, collaboration, development and education.
Mocean Dance is a member of Dance Nova Scotia and the Canadian Dance Assembly, Cultural Human Resources Council, and many of its members belong to the Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists.
These Versions of Us (2018), Photo Credit: Jeremy Mimnagh
highly physical, collaborative, and technically and emotionally rich Contemporary dance
Extended Company History
Vision & Values
Vision
Mocean creates and produces original and responsive work that grows in artistry
and the ways it impacts the artists, audiences, and communities it serves.
Values
Artistic Excellence
Collaboration
Experimentation
Incubation
Sustainability
Development of our regional perspective
Respect and elevation of the artist
Mission
Support professional dance and engage with audiences and communities,
particularly those underserved by contemporary dance and its collaborative artistic disciplines.
Mandate
Create, produce and present contemporary dance
Collaborate with dance and other arts professionals and organizations in the creation of new work
Develop and employ dancers, choreographers and other dance professionals with a strong connection to Nova Scotia and our region
Tour work regionally, nationally and internationally
Undertake community outreach with a particular focus on youth, emerging dance artists, and underserved communities
Engage, educate and develop audiences for dance and multi-disciplinary work
Advocate for dance and be an ambassador for dance from our region