Orchesis Dance Society - Yeg

More News!!

We are excited to announce Janita Frantsi as Associate Artistic Director for the 2026-2027 season. The ODS board and Andi recognize Janita's commitment to dance, choreography and the Orchesis community these past 10 years and we are thrilled to have her take on this new role with the organization. 

For Motif Moves 2027, Janita will shadow Andi with the intention for Janita to fully take on the Artistic Director role in 2027-2028. 

Please see Janita's message below: 

I am absolutely honoured to step into this role with Orchesis. I acknowledge and appreciate the trust and confidence the board has placed in me, reaching out to me about this position. Thank you for choosing me as your new Associate Artistic Director. A special thing about dance is its ability to bring people together, providing different entry points for everyone to engage in the arts. Orchesis is a warm and welcoming community, driven to create space for artistic expression and creativity for everyone. I am excited to get to work alongside you all, honouring the long-standing traditions of Orchesis while serving our current membership, community, and the arts in the city. It’s going to be an exciting term!

The ODS board looks forward to seeing Janita's passion for dance and our community come through in her work for Motif 2027. Please join us in welcoming her to the position!

Photo credit: Kaylee Borgstrom

Janita Frantsi

Reminder!!

Orchesis is hosting a modern workshop July 18. Sign up now to reserve your spot!
Choreographer Highlight:

Contact Improv with Kathleen - July 18, 2026 @ 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Our upcoming Contact Improv class promises to be both engaging and exploratory. Contact improv is a movement practice where dancers use touch, shared weight, and momentum to create spontaneous, unchoreographed dances. We'll kick things off with a warm-up designed to help you find articulation in different parts of your body. After that, we'll move to the floor for exercises in self-rolling and pushing or pulling against the floor, helping you connect more deeply with your movement.

The class will then progress to partner work, focusing on weight sharing and distribution, as well as travelling with partners across various levels and speeds. In the hopes that we build a collective conscious awareness of your own space, your partner's presence, and the environment around you. If time allows, we'll wrap up with a short jam session, giving everyone a chance to put their new skills into practice and enjoy a bit of creative freedom.

Location: Marr Mac (Tenant Studio)

Pricing: Members- $22/class OR $60/all three (whole workshop)
Non- Members- $25/class OR $70/all three (whole workshop)

Registration link in bio: https://forms.gle/c3JoeuJsx3w64uXs8

Can't wait to see you there

Kathleen Hughes

Did you hear??

Orchesis is hosting a modern workshop July 18. Sign up now to reserve your spot!
Choreographer Highlight:

Modern with Janita- July 18, 2026 @ 1:00pm-2:00pm

This class will draw from some of the modern dance pioneer techniques as well as from different ways to play with gravity, flow, and the floor. From a thorough warm-up that activates the body and mind to sequences and explorations in the centre and across the floor, we will explore different pathways in the body and in the space. Body awareness, individuality, and joy are always at the centre of Janita’s classes. Come as you are and we’ll have some fun! :)

Photo Credit for her headshot: Pedram Veisi

Location: Marr Mac (Tenant Studio)

Pricing: Members- $22/class OR $60/all three (whole workshop)
Non- Members- $25/class OR $70/all three (whole workshop)

Registration link in bio: https://forms.gle/c3JoeuJsx3w64uXs8
Janita Frantsi


Can't wait to see you there!

Come heal your body and soul with Tamara's Yoga class!

Yoga with Tamara Bliss- July 18, 2026 @ 12:00-1:00 pm

Tamara Bliss - RYT®
“Life compresses us, yoga expands us.”
Bliss Flow Yoga is my dancer’s interpretation of Vinyasa flow yoga, where we connect
movement and breath fluidly. The class provides safe, individual range and personal
challenges. Vinyasa lengthens and lubricates the body’s joints, consisting of Sun Salutations
(or Moon Salutations) to warm up, followed with intensive asana, and ending in rest. Because
the poses smoothly run together, the practice feels fluid, like dancing. Bliss Flow yoga allows
variety with individual focus, while emphasizing personal practice.
• Born in Washington State, and earning a B.A. in Dance from Western Washington U, Tamara
performed/taught in Bellingham, Seattle, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Philadelphia and New York
City, touring throughout 28 US states. Tamara moved to Canada in1993 for graduate studies
at the U of A, was hired as faculty lecturer in dance & assigned the direction of Orchesis
Dance Group until until 2018.
YOGA TRAINING
• Vinyasa Foundations with Erich Schiffmann, Stephanie Adams, Shiva Rea, Saul David Rae
and many others
• Relax and Renew restorative yoga with Judith Hanson Lasater
• Meditation practices with Michael Stone and Erich Schiffmann
• YogaFit® Certified
• Yoga Alliance accredited- RYT®, member of Yoga Association of Alberta

Location: Marr Mac (Tenant Studio)

Pricing: Members- $22/class OR $60/all three (whole workshop)
Non- Members- $25/class OR $70/all three (whole workshop)

Registration link in bio: https://forms.gle/c3JoeuJsx3w64uXs8

Can't wait to see you there!

Tamara Bliss

Exciting Class Information Update!

We are hosting a Contemporary Modern Workshop on July 18th. Sign up to save your place now!
Details:

Yoga with Tamara Bliss- 12:00-1:00 pm
Modern with Janita Frantsi- 1:00- 2:00 pm
Contact Improv with Kathleen Hughes- 2:00- 3:00 pm

Location: Marr Mac (Tenant Studio)

Pricing: Members- $22/class OR $60/all three (whole workshop)
Non- Members- $25/class OR $70/all three (whole workshop)

Registration link in bio: https://forms.gle/c3JoeuJsx3w64uXs8

Stay tuned for details on each class and choreographer!

Can't wait to see you there!

Announcement of New Position

Orchesis is excited to announce Andrea Fitzgerald as our new Executive Director. Her passion and commitment to Orchesis are unquestionable and we are extremely excited to have Andi take on this new role within the organization. We look forward to all that her leadership will bring.
Andi is a dancer, instructor and choreographer based on Treaty 6 territory in Amiskwacîwâskahikan. She has had training in various types of dance including: jazz, tap, ballet, modern, hip hop and musical theatre. Andi continues to train and study dance by attending different dance classes, dance conferences and professional development. Andi has attended conferences and classes throughout Canada, as well as Las Vegas and New York. She has also been an adjudicator for the Kalyna festival.
Andi graduated from the University of Alberta with her Elementary Education Degree and a Fine Art Minor where she specialized in dance.
Andi has taught dance classes for the City of Edmonton, with Dance Studio’s throughout Edmonton and she teaches dance classes for Orchesis. She is currently a jazz instructor with Campus and Community Recreation at the University of Alberta. She has had experience in choreographing for different shows, events and for a local music artist.
Andi has been an Orchesis member for almost 20 years, and she has sat in many different positions on both the Orchesis board as well as the fundraising board. Some of these positions include: teaching assistant, social convenor, vice chair and chair. She was also Co-artistic director for 4.5 years. Andi is very excited to take on this new role and is honoured to be given this opportunity to lead the Orchesis Community.
Andi Fitzgerald danceliveshereyeg

Attention Friends! We have exciting news!

July 18 - Contemporary / Modern workshop. Up to three classes on Saturday July 18th.

August 17th and August 24th - Join us for a Broadway Jazz Mini-Series!

Times, rates and registration details coming soon! Save the date in your calendar today!

On behalf of Cuban Movements, we are so excited to share two upcoming events! Check out their show on June 19th and 20th and try out a workshop on June 25th! Details below!

1. The Energy of Yemaya: This piece will explore how the AfroCuban Oricha Yemaya represents both masculine and feminine energy and power through her music, movement and symbology 🌊

- Credits:
Choreographer: Leonardo Gonzalez
Dancers (in alphabetic order): Cecilia Ferreyra ,Leonardo Gonzalez , Mia Gonzalez, Nicole Sotonwa, Vivian_artista 💋🇧🇷🇨🇦
Costumes: Maziel Huc
- Schedule: Friday June 19 at 6:45 PM & Saturday June 20 at 5:45 PM
- Cost: festival is free of charge!

2. AfroCuban Dance Workshop with Master Drummer Toto Berriel (Matanzas/Vancouver) and Director Leo Gonzalez (Habana/Edmonton). 

When: Thursday June 25 from 6 to 8 PM
What: AfroCuban dance/Rumba
Level: all levels
Investment: $42 after
Promo: Register and bring a friend for free!

Link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/afrocuban-dance-workshop-with-toto-and-leo

Cuban Movements Non-Profit Organization

We are excited to share with you Evolving Rhythms: African Diaspora Movement Practices in Canada, taking place May 25–31, 2026
Join Evolving Rhythms for a vibrant week of academic presentations, dance workshops, performances, and community events celebrating African diaspora movement practices, culture, creativity, and knowledge sharing.
Beginning with academic presentations (in-person and virtually) on May 25–26 at the University of Alberta (Department of Anthropology), with online participation available via Zoom starting at 8:30 AM.

This will be followed by community dance/drumming workshops from May 27–31 at Mile Zero Dance Studio

Visit for details in their bio!

We are truly excited to share this week of learning, embodiment, creativity, and community with you!

In-Person & Virtual Conference  
Academic & Community Conference: May 25–26  
Community Workshops: May 27–31  
Final Performance Showcase: May 31  
University of Alberta | Department of Anthropology 
https://www.ualberta.ca/en/anthropology/evolving-rhythms/index.html