1. art and entertainment
2. dance

Photo credits: www.chrystiachudczak.com
Annual Report
• 2012-13
Table of Contents • President’s Message: 3 • The People: 3 • Message from the Co-Artistic / Executive Directors: 4 • Propeller
Dance Company: 6 • Dancer’s Report: 8 • Dance Training:, Arts Education and Outreach: 9 • Publicity: 12 • Financial Report: 13 •
Donors, Sponsors and Supporters: 14
President’s Message
Back in early 2007, Shara
and Renata invited me for
a coffee on Elgin Street. I
thought they wanted to talk
about volunteer coordination
for their mixed ability dance
program, but it turned
out they wanted to get my
thoughts on creating a new,
independent organization. I
thought it was a great idea.
So, I helped with the incorporation of Propeller Dance
and signed on with the board of directors.
I still think it’s a great idea and am delighted by how
the organization has grown.
In the past year, Propeller added new classes including
the first class focused on seniors. The performing
company continues to be highly sought after for both
in-town and out-of-town shows. I was particularly
proud of Propeller’s tour-de-force at Dusk Dances in
Strathcona Park this summer.
With an increase in programming, we have had to
increase our financial and administrative resources
and this is going well. A notable step in our ability to do
this was securing our first corporate sponsorships of
company performances.
Following this AGM, I will be leaving the board of
directors. I am not worried about the future of
Propeller Dance. Because we depend on donations,
grants and sponsorships, the financial future will never
be certain. But Propeller Dance’s unofficial motto will
always apply: If you can breathe, you can dance.
— David Scrimshaw
Photo credit: www.chrystiachudczak.com
The People
Our achievements have been possible due to
the incredible community of people involved
with Propeller Dance: our Board, Co-Directors,
Administrator,
Company
Dancers,
Teachers,
Dance Partner Specialists, Communication and
Development Consultants, Students, Musicians and
Volunteers.
Board of Directors: David Scrimshaw, Chair; Bob
Bowes, Vice-Chair; William R. Graham, Treasurer;
and, Caitlin Crockard, Director.
Dance Teachers: Ximena Puente, Liz Winkelaar
Teaching Assistants:
Huggett
Moni Hoffman and Jessie
Dance Partner Specialists: Natalie Bercovitz,
Manon Blouin, Emma Bryans, Geoffrey Dollar
Musicians: Angel Araos, Mike Essoudry, Mark
Rehder, Dominique Saint-Pierre and Jason Sonier
Lighting Design: Benoît Roy
Co-Artistic/Co-Executive Directors: Renata Soutter
and Shara Weaver
Communications: Liz Babiak
Administrator: Judith Haney
In December 2012, Company Dancer Phil Charbonneau
retired. Propeller Dance bids a fond farewell to a good
friend and colleague.
Company Dancers: Bella Bowes, Robert Chartier,
Amelia Griffin, Moni Hoffman, Jessie Huggett, Renata
Soutter, Shara Weaver and Liz Winkelaar (Liz is also
Dancer Representative to the Board)
Development: Mena Gainpaulsingh
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Message from the
Co-Artistic / Executive Directors
Reaching New Heights
In our sixth year, we were thrilled with the achievements
of Propeller Dance. 2012-2013 was a year of increased
professionalism, artistically and administratively, and
a year of increased recognition. We remain committed
to creating and presenting quality contemporary
integrated dance through performance and dance
training. Our dance work moves audience members as
well as participants through its boundless movement
research, wide range of artistic expression and depth
of human connection.
In 2012-2013, we reached 5,460 people through
professional performance, recreation, education and
outreach programs. Propeller Dance participated
in 81 events, including 28 dance performances, 48
dance workshops and 5 spoken presentations. We
ran 5 ongoing classes throughout the year, plus biweekly company rehearsals and numerous rehearsal
intensives. 30 professional artists were contracted as
dancers, musicians, video artists and lighting, set and
costume designers this season.
We were warmly appreciative of being presented with
the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals by the
Honourable Jim Munson, Senator for Ottawa / Rideau
Canal recognizing our leadership of the organization.
We couldn’t have achieved this
without the hard work of all the dancers, volunteers,
staff and board of directors. Kudos to everyone!!
Highlights for the year included the positive results
of countless studio hours dedicated to new creations
performed in our productions Aqueous at Centrepointe’s
Studio Theatre and Travel Bugs at the Canada Aviation
and Space Museum theatre. We were also inspired by
artistic collaborations with guest dancers, musicians
and video artists, including Sue Austin of Freewheeling
(UK). A true crowd-pleaser was the commissioning of
a re-mount of Out of the Box for Dusk Dances Ottawa.
Our funding was stable and continued to grow with
a focus on reaching out to the business community.
With the support of Business for the Arts’ matching
grant program ArtsVest, we recruited new corporate
sponsors in VLN Advanced Technologies Inc., Dentons
Canada LLP and Royal Bank of Canada. We received
our second donation from TELUS and continue to
benefit from 4 Office Automation’s generous print
sponsorship. An organizational priority remains to
continue to raise awareness about Propeller Dance
within the corporate sector, as well as boost individual
giving.
(continued...)
Photo credits: Rachel Gray
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Propeller Dance was delighted to receive operating
funding from the dance division of the Ontario Arts
Council in June 2013. This is a significant achievement,
as we are the first integrated contemporary dance
company to receive operating funding from the OAC.
Judith Haney joined as our Administrator in November
2012 and has contributed significantly to the
organization. Administrative priorities for the future
include developing a strategic plan, financial audit,
website re-design and additional staff resources
to properly focus on fundraising development and
communications.
We look forward to sharing our dance creations
with new audiences locally, nationally and soon
internationally and being presented by both performing
arts and disability arts presenters. The work is so vitally
important in the dance world and the world as a whole.
It propels people to acknowledge new dimensions of
artistic expression, gain an acceptance of the diversity
of movement possibilities and develop awareness of
disabled people’s culture and artistic voices.
Thank you for those who make Propeller Dance the
innovative art-making centre that it is. For those new to
Propeller Dance, we’d love to meet you and introduce
you to our work. Our dream is to have a home for the
organization that features a fully accessible space with
dance studios, performance and office space. Join us
on this quest and get involved!
Renata Soutter and Shara Weaver proudly displaying
Diamond Jubilee medals
Photo credit: Alvin Sim
With gratitude and respect,
— Renata Soutter & Shara Weaver
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Propeller Dance Company
The Company’s main purpose is to create and perform
new dance works annually, and retain pieces in the
repertoire to be performed on invitation. Its goals are
to create professional contemporary dance work of
excellence that is recognized by the dance world, and
is equally recognized by the disability community as
being quality work that truly represents people with
disability from a place of power.
Photo credit: Rachel Gray
emerging choreographers with disability, thanks to
support from Royal Bank of Canada. In 2013-2014,
Company dancers Liz Winkelaar, Moni Hoffman and
professional dancer Frank Hull of Toronto will study
the craft of choreography and create their own works
for presentation.
The Propeller Dance Company employs six dancers
year-round on a contractual basis. The production
value and quality of choreography continues to grow.
In 2012-2013, the Propeller Dance Company benefited
from increased professional training opportunities
with established professional artists such as the
Hofesh Schechter Company (thanks to the NAC) and
Michèle Décottignies of Stage Left Productions. The
Company also grew by working with guest dancers
Melissa Addison-Webster (Toronto) Steve Wint and
and Kirsten Andersen.
The season began with Out of the Box being presented
for L’Arche Ottawa’s 40th anniversary and for the
Canadian Dance Assembly. Bounce, with original music
composed by Mike Essoudry, was presented for the
Ottawa Community Foundation’s 25th anniversary
celebration,
the University of Ottawa, at Health
Canada for International Day of Persons with Disability
and, at a conference for Ontario Agencies Supporting
Individuals with Special Needs (OASIS). Renata, Shara,
Jessie and Liz traveled to Able Artists, a symposium
presented by H’Art Kingston, Ontario where they
performed and spoke about Propeller Dance’s
practices.
Propeller was thrilled to introduce a new project for
(continued...)
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In October, Propeller Dance began a wonderful
partnership with VLN Inc. through a performance at
its Water Jet Conference at the Museum of Civilization.
This performance also advanced the scope of our
audience. Dr. Mohan Vijay, VLN’s President and
Founder, has great plans to build a business centre
devoted to supporting charities.
The year-end production of Aqueous at Centrepointe’s
Studio Theatre garnered great accolades for its mature
choreography and production value. The production
included dance works Ebb and Flow and Drifting Up
which received positive review in The Dance Current and
will be presented by the Registry Theatre in Kitchener
in February 2014. Artistic collaborators included Sue
Austin (UK), Dominique Saint-Pierre, Mark Rehder,
Shaun Elie, Mike Essoudry, Benoit Roy, Randi Cherry
and Patrice-Ann Forbes.
Out of the Box, co-choreographed by Jessie Huggett
and Renata Soutter, was selected as this year’s Youth
Commission by Dusk Dances Ottawa and reached over
500 audience members. The piece was redesigned
from a duet into a piece for 6 dancers from the Ottawa
area.
Looking Ahead
Propeller Dance looks forward to developing its touring
capacity in 2013-2014, and has received interest from
presenters such as Registry Theatre in Kitchener,
Abilities Festival in Toronto and H’art of Smiles,
Kingston, ON. Past tours and performances in Calgary,
Winnipeg, Toronto, Kingston and Montreal have
involved small select groups of company dancers. In
order to tour the whole company additional resources
and personal support must be put in place for safe,
effective touring.
Sometimes people think that dance for people with
disabilities is like therapy or a “do good” activity.
They don’t see people with disabilities as artists
and people who have something important to say
or who see the world in a different and valuable
way. But dancers who have a disability have
lots of skills, knowledge and unique movement
vocabulary to add to the contemporary dance
community in Canada. They are artists too and
need a way to express themselves through their
passion.
— Jessie Huggett,
Propeller Dance Company Dancer
Photo credit: www.chrystiachudczak.com
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Dancer’s Report
My name is Robert Chartier, and I have been
dancing as part of the professional company
with Propeller since its founding in 2007. I
enjoy many aspects of Propeller. Last May
I was in two very different pieces. The first
piece I was involved in, I had a part swinging
bottles around. I really enjoyed that part. It’s
fun to play on stage! The second dance I was
in was Drifting Up. We had bowls of water
on the stage. I liked splashing the water and
running through the paths between the bowls.
I also enjoyed a counter-balance dance with
company dancer Amelia Griffin and guest
artist Kirsten Andersen. A highlight for me has
also been learning how to transfer the dancers
that use wheelchairs in and out of their chairs. I
have successfully transferred two of my fellow
dancers to the floor, and we’re using the floor
more in our dances as a result.
Looking ahead, my dream is to create a piece
with the company inspired by my aboriginal
heritage incorporating elements of the
Powwow. I am also really looking forward to
the possibility of more guest artists coming in
– it’s fun to meet and create with new people.
Recently we had the great opportunity to study
with Tara Brandel from Ireland. We did a lot of
floor work and I really enjoyed the challenge. I
love Propeller!!
Photo credit: doublespace photography
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Dance Training, Arts Education
and Outreach
Dance training, education and outreach is a core
activity at Propeller Dance, and the work continues
to be recognized for its professionalism, inclusion
and heart. The goal for education and outreach is to
train integrated dancers, as well as provide dance
for fun, health and recreation; build understanding
and interest in integrated dance; and bring dance to
people who would otherwise have no opportunity to
participate in the performing arts.
These goals are successfully achieved through three
streams of activity: Dance Training and Education,
School Programs and, Outreach Programs.
Dance Training and Education
A first in Canada, Propeller Dance ran a Dance Partner
Specialist Training course for ten people at the start of
the year. The five-day course was delivered with invited
guest speakers providing skills development in how to
creatively partner with students in Propeller classes.
This innovative program reflected on understanding
and creating an environment of equal participation for
all.
Also for the first time, aspects of Propeller’s employment
mentoring and teaching for the professional Company
dancers with disability were formalized in a course
in Arts Education Training for Dancers. The program
provided skills training in how to teach children, youth
and adults with and without disabilities, create lesson
plans, and deliver workshops in a leadership or coleadership role. Company dancers are now being hired
to use their newly acquired skills in the organization’s
recreational and school programs.
The Company’s professional development was further
enhanced by attendance at a national disability arts
conference presented by Stage Left Productions and
an integrated dance symposium presented by Momo
Dance Theatre both in Alberta. Propeller’s Company
learned more about the Disability Arts movement in
Canada, discussed best practices and how to move
forward in the struggle towards greater recognition of
artists with disability.
(continued...)
Photo credit: Andre Marleau
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Dance Training for Children, Youth and
Adults
Dance classes were at capacity again this year, and
included a launch of a new program for Youth (thanks
to Telus and Orleans Young Players). To keep classes
financially accessible we provided class fee subsidy of
more than $3,000 to 21 students (thanks to funding
support from an anonymous foundation).
Thank you for dancing and teaching with so
much love, truth and beauty and for the vision
of promoting the highest ideals for people with
disabilities.
— Donna Hiscott
The children’s program grew significantly in number
of participants this year, particularly an addition of
children between the ages of 4 and 7 years. Twentyfive children each week studied dance with a team of
artists with and without disability. A team of dancers
leads each class; some members of the team are
dancers with disability.
The children’s recreational program culminated in
Travel Bugs a year-end, sold-out recital. Travel Bugs
showcased a stunning artistic collaboration with
Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre resulting in a new work
The Last Polar Bears. Choreography reflected themes
of traveling, insects and flying on large kinestherapy
balls. The support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation
was recognized at the event with MPP Yasir Naqvi
and Frank Dyson, member of the OTF grant review
committee, on hand to acknowledge Trillium’s support
of Propeller’s work and growth.
This project made our year!
—Kathy MacLellan, Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre
The adult recreational classes concluded with two
water themed dance works at the Aqueous production
at Centrepointe’s Studio Theatre.
These classes
continue to be very popular and are at capacity.
I believe that this organization is a true testament
to the fact that while we are all different in our
own ways, we are also the same in others and we
can learn to communicate, listen and respect one
another. Propeller Dance provides the opportunity
to do this through dance.
— Tereza Cerqueira, student in dance training
program
Photo credits: www.fergusonphoto.ca
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Photo credit: David Sims
School Programs
The Propeller Dance Company shared its love for
dance with 1,545 young people in schools across the
Ottawa region with ten age-appropriate dance shows
consisting of three pieces in our repertoire (How
the Hawk Made Peace, Be your Own Beautiful and Us)
followed by a talk-back with the artists. In complement
to the shows twelve dance workshops were delivered
to 399 students.
Schools visited were Connaught Public School, Severn
Avenue Public School, St. Leonard Catholic School,
Carson Grove Public School, Cambridge Street Public
School, St. Daniel Catholic School, Manotick Public
School, Featherston Public School, St. Anne’s Catholic,
St. Phillips Catholic School. Propeller Dance was part of
the MASC roster, which facilitated bookings at schools.
Thanks to an anonymous foundation we provided
subsidy to schools in need.
“The show in our school helped establish a positive
and emotional appreciation for all people and
abilities and disabilities. It fit perfectly with our
school inclusiveness initiative” – Teacher
“I learned to talk with my body!” “It was the best
show ever!” – Grade two students
Outreach Programs
The year kicked off with a performance and demo
class at the Montfort Hospital in celebration of World
Mental Health Day as a culmination of our previous
year’s project with Les Ateliers de L’Élan. There were
also outreach workshops given to the Children at
Risk Autism unit and the Gloucester Special Needs
Association Friday Night Club. Propeller also presented
educational public talks to new audiences at Hub
Ottawa, Able Artists Kingston and at the Business for
the Arts ArtsVest wrap event. The main outreach project
of the year was a residency at the Royal Ottawa Mental
Health Hospital creating and delivering workshops for
their Royal Ottawa Place (ROP) residents. The proud
participants shared their creative process with a
showing in the atrium of the hospital.
“My Propeller Dance class was the best workshop
I’d ever taken in my entire life!”
– Karen, participant in outreach program
Look Ahead
With our continued focus on dance training, 2013-2014
will see an expanded children and youth wing in the east
end of Ottawa. Propeller Dance also happily anticipates
hiring a guest choreographer from the United States to
choreograph a new work for young audiences with the
company. This project is a collaboration with MASC,
thanks to support they obtained from the Embassy
of the United States of America in Canada. Propeller
also looks forward to returning to ROP for a continued
outreach project in 2015, as well as more guest artist
workshops and collaborations across oceans.
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Publicity
In the news
In the fall, dance participants and co-directors were
featured in a documentary broadcast through Rogers’
AMtv. While in Kingston for the Able Artists Forum,
Company dancer Jessie Huggett was interviewed by
CKWS Television1. The Ottawa Citizen and CBC Ottawa’s
English and French language television stations covered
Propeller Dance’s Community Day in December 2012.
In March 2013, co-directors Renata and Shara were
interviewed by Ted Fox of Toronto based Evidance
Radio2. Propeller Dance’s Aqueous production was
reviewed in Dance Current, a print and web publication.
In connection with promotion of Dusk Dances Ottawa,
Propeller Dance received mention on the CTV Morning
Show, in an article in Le Droit and on the website of
Ottawa Magazine.
Photo credit: Rachel Gray
Mailings and Social Media
We sent out 12 email communications consisting of
newsletters, appeals and show announcements during
the year to a mailing list of over 500 subscribers on
average.
Propeller Dance launched its own YouTube channel3
this year. Viewers will enjoy excerpts from the Propeller
Dance Company performances and interviews.
Propeller Dance is frequently mentioned on Nancy
Huggett’s4 and David Scrimshaw’s5 blogs. Company
dancer Jessie Huggett is a frequent contributor to the
Propeller Dance blog. Propeller Dance continues to
update its website , Facebook page7 and blog8.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
http://www.ckwstv.com/news/kingston/story.aspx?ID=1825083
The podcast can be found at http://evidanceradio.com/home/podcasts/2013/
saturday-march-2-2013.
http://www.youtube.com/user/PropellerDance
http://dsbutterfly.blogspot.ca
http://davidscrimshaw.blogspot.ca
http://propellerdance.com/
http://www.facebook.com/propellerdance
http://propellerdance.blogspot.com/
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Financial Report
Audited financial statements are available.
We received funding to:
Revenue increased by over 36%, the most ever
in Propeller’s history. Income reached slightly
over $250,000. Increased revenues will provide
opportunities to improve programs going forward and
contribute to beginning step towards finding a space
for the organization.
•
Revenue grew mostly through an increase in support
from the private sector through donations and
sponsorship. Earned revenue was up due to higher
attendance in the children’s program and a soldout recital for these young dancers, along with The
Propeller Dance Company giving more professional
performances.
Classes
and
pay-for-service
performance and workshop fees continue to be a
significant revenue generator for the organization.
On the expense side, touring expenses went up
with the addition of travel fees for out of town guest
artists.
A part-time administrator was hired as
well as three dance partner specialists to ensure a
safe and effective learning environment in classes.
Independent consultant Mena Gainpaulsingh helped
Propeller to broaden fundraising networks, implement
a fundraising strategy and develop sponsorship
opportunities.
In 2012-2013, Propeller Dance received grants from
the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Canada Council for
the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, City of Ottawa, Human
Resources and Skills Development Canada - New
Horizons for Seniors Program, Greenshield Insurance
Company, Harold Crabtree Foundation, Community
Foundation of Ottawa, Telus, Anonymous Foundation,
Royal Bank of Canada, Bridgestreet United Church
Foundation and Harry P. Ward Foundation.
•
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•
•
•
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•
•
•
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•
9.
10.
11.
12.
Develop, maintain and grow the artistic quality
of the company and maintain dance training
programs for children, youth, adults and seniors;
Build the capacity of the Propeller Dance
organization, including developing its financial
capacity;
Hire an Administrator;
Tour dance works to children in Ottawa schools
and provide dance workshops in schools;
Subsidize class registration fees for students in
financial need;
Launch an emerging choreographers project for
artists with disability: a first in Canada;
Continue to work with fundraising expert Mena
Gainpaulsingh to implement a fundraising strategy;
Provide teacher training sessions to the Propeller
Dance company members with disability;
Develop and run a specialized training program
for dance partners, teaching specific inclusive
practices for providing one-on-one support to
dancers;
Expand the youth and children’s recreational
program to the east end of Ottawa with the
addition of four new ongoing classes9;
Recruit a lead teacher for a new children’s program
in the east end of Ottawa10;
Present professional performances in three small
or alternative venues11; and,
Launch a new recreational dance training program
for seniors12.
This will be implemented in 2013-2014.
This will be implemented in 2013-2014.
This will be implemented in 2013-2014.
This will be implemented in 2013-2014.
In-kind support came from Orleans Young Players,
National Capital Dance Educators and 4 Office
Automation.
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Donors, Sponsors and Supporters
Funders and Corporate Donors
In-Kind Donors
NATIONAL CAPITAL DANCE
EDUCATORS
Donors
Larry & Myrna Baker
Paul Chehowski
Edythe Christy
Rev. Gail Christy
Stephanie Christy
Gary Cleaver
Yvonne Coutts
Halina Cyr
Family Diaz-Sounets
Prita Edwards
Nicole Ferland
Gail Gill
Jennifer & Rod Haney
Heather Hartley
Doreen Holden
Mary Huggett
Karen Johnson
Malgorzata Laverrière
Elizabeth McKinnon
Lise & Yves Morneau
Mireille Nicolas
John & Nancy Peters
John & Janet Robinson
Monica Song
Martin & Uta Soutter
Margaret Mary Stark
Abigail Sturrock
Rev. Janet Thompson
Pierre & Ghislaine
Trépanier
John Underwood
Mohan Vijay
Nathalie Wendling
Michelle April
Midway Family Fun Park
National Art Centre Dance
Octopus Books
Ottawa Dance Directive
Ottawa Little Theatre
Papanack Zoo
Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana
Paul’s Boat Lines
Pine View Golf Course
Red Lobster
Renu Massage Therapy
& Spa
Robin Wint
Shenkman Arts Centre
JP Singh
Splash Wave Pool
Starbucks Coffee (Coventry Road)
Stella Luna Gelato Café
Susan Rosidi
Teal Mind Body Wellness
The Wellington Gastropub
Victoire
Vittoria Trattoria
Wearable Ceramics
Whalesbone
Your True Colours
ZaZaZa Pizza
Aqueous Silent Auction Donors
A Touch of Light
Au feel de l’eau
Black Squirrel Books
Canada Dance Festival
Canadian Museum of Nature
Carolyn Carrothers
Chad Dubeau
SilverCity Gloucester Cinemas
Cosmic Adventures
Cowls by Claude
David Scrimshaw
DAVIDsTea
Deb Robilliard
East Side Mario’s
Empire Theatres Limited
Great Canadian Theatre Company
H’Art
Haunted Walk of Ottawa
Heart Art
Larry and Myrna Baker
Jeanette Scrimshaw
Keg Steakhouse and Bar
Lili Yan
Lynda Bowes
Madeleine Meilleur (MPP for Ottawa Vanier)
Deb Robilliard
Martin & Uta Soutter
Propeller Dance wishes to thank the over 80 volunteers without whose support
we could not possibly have accomplished all that we did in this amazing year!
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