HOMEGROWN: Signature Programme 2

Known internationally by her stage name, Lady C, Caroline Fraser is a unique artist from a long lineage of musicians, dancers and entertainers. Her main focus is in Street Dance culture and, although she has made her mark in this global community, her training includes a background in Ballet, Contemporary, Tap and Jazz Dance. Caroline is the recipient of 4 Dora Mavor Moore Awards (most recently in 2024) for her performance and choreography, the Gadfly Canadian Dancer of the Year Award (2015), and a music recording artist with multiple digital and vinyl releases on various record labels.

One of the top international ballet companies, The National Ballet of Canada was founded in 1951 by Celia Franca. Today, the company is among the world’s finest, with 70 dancers and its own orchestra. The National Ballet has a history of pre- eminent Artistic Directors and in January 2022, welcomed new leader, Hope Muir. Renowned for its diverse repertoire, the company performs traditional full-length classics, embraces contemporary work and encourages the creation of new ballets as well as the development of Canadian choreographers. The company’s repertoire includes works by Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, Aszure Barton, Marie Chouinard, John Cranko, William Forsythe, Alonzo King, James Kudelka, Wayne McGregor, Kenneth McMillan, John Neumeier, Rudolf Nureyev, Crystal Pite, Emma Portner, Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, William Yong and the company’s Choreographic Associates Guillaume Côté and Ethan Colangelo, among other creators. The National Ballet tours in Canada, the US and internationally with appearances in Paris, London, Moscow and St. Petersburg, Hamburg, New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and San Francisco. national.ballet.ca

Ethan Colangelo was born and raised in Toronto where he began his initial training at Canada’s National Ballet School and Elite Danceworx. He is an alumni of The Juilliard School where he received the Hector Zaraspe Prize for Choreographic Promise. As a choreographer, he has presented work at The Baryshnikov Arts Center, Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, APAP, Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Ethan was also one of nine choreographers selected internationally for the Copenhagen International Choreography Competition in 2018 and 2021. At the competition in 2021, his piece recurrence won the Audience Choice Award along with the DAF Production Prize, which led to a residency with Hessisches Staatsballett. Most recently, he has created new works for Ballet BC, BODYTRAFFIC, Whim W’Him Contemporary Dance and The National Ballet of Canada. Ethan has also taught and made new creations for educational institutions including The Juilliard School, The Ailey School, Arts Umbrella Dance Company, Springboard Danse Montréal, DAF in Rome and MOVE NYC. Ethan joined The National Ballet of Canada as Choreographic Associate in July 2023.

A finalist for the 2024 Muriel Sherrin Award and the 2025 Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize, Lua Shayenne, is a dynamic creator who intertwines contemporary narratives through dance, song, and storytelling. Inspired by her African heritage and the Baha'i Faith, her art aims to ignite hearts and stir consciences. Lua is the artistic director and choreographer of Lua Shayenne Dance Company where she envisioned and launched the YENSA Festival, a biennial celebration of the diversity of Black women dance practitioners. Lua teaches at Toronto Metropolitan University/The Creative School and shares African dance, music, storytelling, and culture with organizations and schools across Canada.

Ambrose Tjark is a Nigerian-born dance / performance artist, choreographer, fashion stylist / designer, and community organizer. He is currently touring Europe as a member of the trio The Supa Rich Kids  performing their futuristic Oulouy’s Afrikan Party. 

Ambrose is a founding member of Westsyde Lifestyle where he promotes Afro Urban culture. He is a recipient of the MacDowell Fellowship and has collaborated with artists Skepta, Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Asake and Major Lazer. His kinetic art piece, Soot Yourself,  premiered in Toronto with Dance Immersion at FFDN’s International Presenters Program 2024.

Kwasi Obeng Adjei is a Canadian multidisciplinary artist, emerging choreographer, and dance educator based in Brampton, Ontario. His dance journey began at the age of 14 when he was accepted into the regional arts program at St. Roch Catholic Secondary School. Kwasi went on to train with renowned choreographers and artistic directors such as Esie Mensah, Lua Shayenne, Ronald Taylor, Mark Sameuls, Rodney Diverlus and more. He credits these mentors with encouraging him to pursue formative performance opportunities with the Pan-American Games, the Toronto Raptors' halftime show, and the productions Kira, The Path | La Voie (Luminato 2019) and Zayo.