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Dancers

The currents dancers of José Navas/Compagnie Flak are:

Billy Bell

Billy Bell was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. After graduating from Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Billy continued his training at The Juilliard School, Alvin Ailey, and Joffrey Jazz and Contemporary. He has worked in many different areas of dance including dancing for Britney Spears in her Hold It Against Me video, appearing on the television show House in choreography by Mia Michaels, dancing with Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey in Back to Back to Broadway, touring with Broadway Arts as Baby John in West Side Story, and appearing on Seasons 6 and 7 of So You Think You Can Dance. Billy has set works on multiple professional companies including Westside Dance Project and DeMa Dance, he is currently a demonstrator/faculty member for JUMP Dance Convention, and is the founder of two ensembles: the Dreyfoos Dance Ensemble (2007) and Billy Bell’s Lunge Dance Collective (2010). Billy joined José Navas/Compagnie Flak at the beginning of the 2011-2012 season. retour

Lindsey Renee Derry

Lindsey is a native Californian. She is a graduate of State University of New York (SUNY) Purchase with a BFA in Dance Performance —summa cum laude— and a certificate in Arts Management. At SUNY Purchase she performed repertory by Jacqulyn Buglisi, Merce Cunningham, Mark Morris, Lauri Stallings, and Paul Taylor. In 2005, Lindsey was hosted by the Tanaka Foundation in Japan as a cultural representative of the US and SUNY Purchase. In 2006 she was the recipient of the Thayer Fellowship, a prestigious award given by New York State to outstanding SUNY arts’ graduates. In New York City she has worked with Takehiro Ueyama, Patrick Corbin, Nai-Ni Chen, and Pascal Rioult. To date, she has performed in fourteen American states and eight European countries. She joined Compagnie Flak in 2006. retour

Sarah Fregeau

Originally from Owen Sound, Ontario, Sarah Fregeau began her dance training in classical ballet. She later moved to Toronto where she studied dance at Ryerson University and The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, from which she graduated in 2009. While at the School of TDT, Sarah performed repertoire by Peggy Baker, Peter Chin, D. A. Hoskins and Sasha Ivanochko, among others. She has participated in workshops in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and France, including Springboard Danse Montréal in 2008 and 2009. Since graduating, Sarah has worked with Peggy Baker and Sasha Ivanochko. She joined José Navas/Compagnie Flak in August 2009. retour

Alexandre Jolicoeur

Alexandre completed his training in ballet and contemporary dance at Ballet Divertimento in 2009. He has worked with many choreographers including Gioconda Barbuto, Edgar Zendjas, Sidra Bell and Hélène Blackburn. Alexander’s additional training includes programs at The Julliard School, The School of Toronto Dance Theater and Springboard Dance Montreal 2009 among others. He has worked with Edgar Zenjdeas/Ezdanza and also danced in the 25th anniversary production of the Nutcracker with Ballet Ouest de Montréal. In spring 2009, Alexandre took part in the Festival T.Danz in San Sébastian, Spain and participated in workshops lead by Philippe Cohen (Grand Théâtre de Genève) and Urtzi Aranburu (Netherlands Dance Theatre). He joined José Navas/Compagnie Flak in February 2010. retour

Waldean Nelson

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Waldean began his dance training at the age of 13 under the direction of Carol Lonnie. From there he continued his training at The Dance Theatre of Harlem, Jacob’s Pillow – Contemporary Traditions Program, PHILADANCO, and the Ailey school. He has performed works by Robert Battle, Elisa Monte, Francine E. Ott, and Judith Jamison. In 2009, Waldean received his B.A. in Growth and Structure of Cities and a minor in Dance from Haverford College. Since graduating, he has been a member of Ronald K. Brown/Evidence and Camille A. Brown and Dancers. In the summer of 2011, Waldean participated in Springboard Danse Montreal, where he performed the work of Ohad Naharin. He joined Compagnie Flak in the summer of 2011. retour

François Richard

Born in Moncton, New Brunswick, François began his dance training at the DancEast Dance Centre. In 2004, he was invited to attend the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School where he graduated with honours in 2006. Since then, his career has taken him across Canada, the United States and Europe. He has danced for professional companies such as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, the Atlantic Ballet Theater of Canada, and as a principal dancer for Ballet Ouest de Montréal and Eddy Toussaint’s Reconstruct’Art Multimedium, among others. François has also taught for schools and companies in both Moncton and Montreal, including Concordia University, Ballet Ouest de Montréal, Eddy Toussaint’s Reconstruct’Art Multimedium, DancEast Dance Center, the Atlantic Dance Academy and Danse Virtuosa. He first worked with José Navas during Springboard Danse Montréal 2010 and he joined José Navas/Compagnie Flak in August 2010. retour

Lauren Semeschuk

Originally from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Lauren Semeschuk began her training as a Ukrainian dancer. Early on, she toured with Pavlychenko Ukrainian Folklorique Ensemble, which took her across Canada, the United States and Brazil. In 2005, she danced with the Saskatchewan Contemporary Ballet, where she worked with choreographers Michel Faigeaux, Jordan Morris and Gino Berti. Lauren later continued her training in Toronto, Ontario, where she received her BFA with honours in dance at Ryerson University in 2008. While at Ryerson, she performed repertoire from choreographers Robert Glumbeck, Allen Kaeja, and D.A. Hoskins. In the summer of 2008, Lauren took part in Springboard Danse Montréal, where she studied and performed choreography by Crystal Pite for BJM danse Montréal. Lauren joined José Navas/Compagnie Flak in January 2009. retour

Emilie Tremblay

Originally from Lac-St-Jean, Emilie started dancing at Le Prisme Culturel dance school. She then attended the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School before settling in Montreal. She continued her training at Ballet Divertimento and has taken part in different workshops including Springboard Danse Montréal, Transformation Danse, the O Vertigo’s Stage Intensif and professional workshops with AH-HA! Productions. As an emerging artist, Emilie has also worked with Bouge de là and apprenticed with Louise Bédard Danse for the creation of Enfin vous zestes! She has also danced for Valerie Buddle, Gibson Muriva and Ghislaine Doté Virtuo Danse. She joined José Navas/Compagnie Flak in February 2010. retour

Ami Shulman – Rehearsal director

Performer, educator and rehearsal director, Ami Shulman trained in South Africa in the performing arts. Awarded the Amanda Holmes Prize for choreography, Ami was lead to explore the dance scene in Europe, where she furthered her dance training. Ami has performed internationally with diverse choreographers, notably Gregory Maqoma and Vuyani Dance Theatre, the State Theatre Opera, Zab Maboungou, Butch Rovan and Compagnie Marie Chouinard. Ami joined Compagnie Flak in 2004. Ami’s passion for movement research has brought her to teach at the Juilliard School, Jacob’s Pillow, the Rotterdam Dance Academy, the Cirque du Soleil, the National Theatre School of Canada, Brown University, the University of California in San Diego, Concordia University, Ballet Divertimento, TransFormation Danse and the Springboard Danse Montréal as well as offering diverse masterclasses in Canada and abroad. Ami currently works as a rehearsal director for José Navas and she continues to tour extensively in the various aspects of her expertise in dance. retour