Making waves since 2001
Canvas 5 x 5 (2012) by Tedd Robinson. Photo by Holly Crooks. Performers: Rhonda Baker, Ruth-Ellen Kroll Jackson, Jacinte Armstrong
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. Now 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, produce, and tour exciting new work annually.
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 produces and presents new shows annually.
5 Breaths (2005) by Roger Sinha. Photo by Holly Crooks. Performers (L to R): Carolle Crooks Fernando, Sara Harrigan, Sarah Rozee, Melanie Ferro.
The company has created more than 50 original works with choreographers from across the country, as well as being featured in the work of Canadian and international artists, with appearances spanning across North America.
In addition to its creation and performance, Mocean has developed successful residency programs bringing contemporary dance to communities across the region, has performed and led workshops for thousands of students, and has filmed a half-hour television special for Bravo!, which also aired on CBC. The company is dedicated to community outreach and the development of future audiences through performances, residencies, school events, workshops, informal showings and discussions. In addition to the annual choreographic lab CLEaR Forum, over the years Mocean has developed several projects to support the development of the next generation of artists, including Gen Y Project, Fresh Tracks!, EMERGE, Next Wave, and EAIR (Emering Artists-In-Residence).