Featured Artist - Michele Hopkins and Tippy Toes School of Dance

Michele Hopkins Dance Artist/Choreographer/ Teacher

Michele Hopkins has been practicing her art as a dance performer, choreographer, teacher and director for the past 25 years. She has studied extensively across Ontario and New York. Her performing repertoire includes a diversity of works from classic to contemporary, traditionally based to independent choreography. Michele has also integrated multidisciplinary arts into her works. And, she has collaborated with artists in other disciplines including photography, film, poetry and visual arts. Michele has engaged the Cambridge community in the art of dance since her arrival here 8 years ago. She has directed and produced numerous highly successful dance performances involving the community at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts and beyond. Ms. Hopkins has performed original choreography at the Mayor's Celebration of the Arts 2003, 2004, 2008, the GCDF 2008 as well as

other local venues and festivals. She introduced Frank Augustyn to the community in 2007 and co-organizes an annual ballet workshop featuring highly acclaimed dance professionals. She has also been awarded a Mayor's Cultural Award (2004), Bernice Adams Award (2008) and Woman of Distinction in the performing arts (2008). Michele was the 2007 Artist in Residence (AIR) at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts. She has been awarded grants from the OAC and Arts Fund. As a member of the ballet committee of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association and CADA, she hopes to continue to encourage and nurture creativity and artistic expression through dance and hopes to pass on her passion and love of dance to her community.

Michele will be both performing and giving a ballet workshop on our Performance Stage.

For a preview of Michele's work, tickets are still available for her upcoming show Swan Lake: Excerpts from Act II.

Featured Artist - motus O

It is strange to think how an American gymnast, an Australian sheep shearer and a Canadian figure skater could have their paths meet and eventually become Co-Artistic Directors of a dance theatre company in Canada. Yet, as it turns out, that diversity has become the essence of MOTUS O. Where cultures and talents collide and then reform, creating a dynamic team that explores the dramatic and relishes the physical and all with a touch of humour.


The Artistic Directors of MOTUS O, James Croker, Cynthia Croker and Jack Langenhuizen, have all been trained in several artistic disciplines with decades of combined performing experience in both street theatre and stage. This diversity, coupled with their collaborative style of creating, enriches the production values and constantly surprises the viewer. Each production displays their unique ability to be involved in the whole creative process. They create the story, design and build costumes and props, choreograph, shoot and edit film and if that is not enough, they perform.

MOTUS O is Latin for 'the method of movement'. In the Artistic Directors words "we want to know the meaning of every movement and to move as if it has meaning". Physical inventiveness, lightning action, grace and raw energy are all trademarks of their evolving style.

Since their formation in 1990, MOTUS O has created thirteen full-length productions for both family and adult audiences. The troupe continues to tour throughout North America, Europe and the South Seas, bringing with them their innovative and highly visual works to both small and large communities alike.

At this year's Festival, motus O will grace our Performance Stage 3 times throughout the day.

For more information about the dance troupe, including a list of upcoming shows, see their website motuso.com

Featured Artist - Down Hips Dance Studio

Down Hips Dance Studio is the largest bellydance studio in KW-Cambridge, and a welcoming place for women of all ages, shapes & sizes. The Down Hips Dance Troupe that will be both performing and providing a workshop at this year's Festival, is comprised of 8 women with a passion for the Middle Eastern dance form, and a love of sharing that passion with an audience.

Bellydance is a Western term for a traditional Arab dance genre known as raqs sharqi, literally "oriental dance". Native to the Middle East, and now popular worldwide, belly dance is an exciting way to dance, and express a cultural history, while adapting to the modern feel and excitement of our own culture.

For more information, or to book the troupe for your event, see their website DownHips.com