EDI & Spiritual Advisor

For the last 5 years, I’ve been working with Canada’s National Ballet School. That relationship first started as a choreographer for Sharing Dance day when I got to collaborate with Philippe Jacques (contemporary artist) now based in Montreal.

That relationship grew as my voice and my art started to make an impact within the school and my role shifted to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant. My role is academic focused, so I worked primarily with the students and teachers. Now my work is mostly student focused. We have facilitated workshops with students and teachers to discuss what change looks like in life and the studio. The students have been vocal on their expectations, and it's wonderful to support them on this journey. Since then, my role has grown as I co-created a piece with Ballet choreographer Robert Binet that debuted at Assemblee Internationale in May 2023. I had to prepare the students for this journey of understanding the language of Afro Diaspora movement, and I brought on a roster of teachers that would help them understand my world of Afrofusion. The teachers were Raoul Wilke, Lua Shayenne, Miss Coco Murray, Zahra Badua, Kwasi Obeng-Adjei, Rosie Harbans, Chenise Mitchell and Monique Pascall. Collectively, we prepped the students to embody the choreography I gave them. The work fused Ballet and Afrofusion that challenged and blended the worlds we both existed in. It was received really well and prompted Artistic Director Mavis Staines to continue building on the foundation the students received.

We are slowly building towards an Afrofusion curriculum as students, their teachers, and community can see the growth. I am grateful to witness how the work that started with me has impacted the community and provided opportunity for teachers to deepen their practice. I am excited about this new legacy that is forming and giving these new graduating artists a chance to step into themselves in new ways.

Are you interested in working with Esie in a similar capacity?