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
A thriving contemporary dance community that connects artists and audiences,
and that reflects Nova Scotia's cultural dynamism
VALUES
ARTIST-CENTRED
Spaces where artists thrive and grow.
TRANSFORMATION
New experiences and sensations of human imagination.
EXCHANGE
Invite curiosity and activate possibility.
INTEGRITY
Care for the people. Care for the work. Do our best.
Mission
Nurture and grow contemporary dance creation and artistic practice,
while catalyzing exchange across collaborative disciplines and communities.
Mandate
Create, produce and present contemporary dance
Collaborate with other arts disciplines and organizations in the creation and presentation of new work
Develop and employ dancers, choreographers and other artistic makers with a connection to Nova Scotia and our region
Focus community engagement to broaden access to dance
Develop audiences for dance and multidisciplinary work
Advocate for dance and be an ambassador for dance from our region
Tour work regionally, nationally and internationally