Kaeja d'Dance

Kaeja d’Dance was established in 1990 by Karen and Allen Kaeja and has become a force in Toronto performing arts. Kaeja creates award-winning contemporary dance for stage, film & communities that have toured the world for 30 years. The Company has created 200+ works, performed, created & taught worldwide: the UK, Europe, China, Japan, USA, Mexico, Scandinavia, India & Israel and more. Alongside creation & performance Kaeja has been committed to developing & exposing Canadian talent through festival platforms, training, and mentorship. In addition to live performances and dance films, Kaeja brings dance into communities through public space animations, community performance projects, and inclusive exchanges with everyday people. Porch View Dances, conceived by Karen and developed with Allen, features ‘Real People Dancing in Real Spaces’. Kaeja’s dance education workshops engage over 4,000 participants per year. Kaeja has received 40+ national & international awards & nominations. These include the 2019 Dance Ontario Lifetime Achievement Award, CDA “I Love Dance” Community Award, 2 Paul D. Fleck Fellowships for Innovation, a Dora Mavor Moore Award, OAF Artist Educator Award and Arts and Culture Award Kitchener. Nominations include The Muriel Sherrin Award, 7 Dora Mavor Moore Awards, NFLD’s ACE Award, the CDA “I Love Dance” Innovation Award, runner-up for NOW Magazine’s Best Local Choreographers & 2 Finalist Best Dance Company, and finalist for TD Diversity Award. Film accolades include an IMZ Award and twice shortlisted for IMZ jury prize, Special Jury Prize shortlist for Banff World Television Awards, Gemini Award Nomination - Best Direction of Performing Arts Program or Series, and American Choreography Awards Outstanding Choreography nomination. Kaeja’s acclaimed stage works include: Old Country, Resistance, Asylum of Spoons, Jericho, Point 0, DEFIANT by Allen Kaeja and Karen’s Sarah, Eugene Walks with Grace, uncover, Taxi!, Crave.