Receiving Bachelor Degrees in Arts and in Education, as a Certified Alexander Technique Teacher through Susan Sinclair's program, and having an MFA in Dance Choreography, I have been a teacher since 2001. I teach professional dancers, actors, high school and elementary school students, and community dancers. I am contract faculty in the Dance department at York University. The main courses I teach are Conditioning, Somatics (Alexander Technique), Solo, Contact, and Ensemble Improvisation/Composition. The classes/workshops range from one hour introductory classes for individuals to full-year courses for large groups.
Spiraling Upwards Part 2:
Toronto Contact Improv Intensive with Mark Young and Suzanne Liska February 28, March 1, 2, 3 2019 Class Schedule: February 28, March 1, 2, 3 10am-3pm (Lunch 12-1pm) Location: 3rd floor Dovercourt House 805 Dovercourt Rd (North Bloor/West Ossington) Cost: Full class series $200 regular, $175 before Jan 23, $150 CADA/Artists/Underemployed. Limited subsidized spots available.This Contact Improv (CI) Intensive is a continuation of the Toronto 2018 workshop. Together we offer a somatic-based study of various spiral patterns of movement integrated into partnering. Mark draws on his study of Tai Chi. He will introduce us to foundational exercises that demand a spiral coordination of the muscles, inspired by Steve Paxton's Spiral Rolls. By isolating various patterns on the floor we are able to draw awareness to sensations on the entire body to become soft and strong with fast reflexes. Suzanne’s classes integrate the Alexander Technique with CI. We will research how to access our underlying support, sensory awareness, spatial perception, and strength and fluidity within spiral movement patterns. As we research spirals within CI, ease of weight transitions and effortless partnering results. We look forward to continuing to research with you! Classes will be taught for all levels of experience. Here’s a video from the last intensive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnOJDUtgoZw&feature=youtu.be The Facilitators: Mark Young has been doing CI since 1997. What began as fun re-hab after a traumatic accident quickly became a serious study. He also began a serious study of Tai Chi and Vipassana meditation around the same time, these are the foundations of CI. He has studied with Nancy Stark Smith, Ray Chung, Karen Nelson, John Faichney, Alicia Grayson, and attended numerous conferences with the originators of the form at Breitenbush Hot Springs retreat centre. In 2000 he committed all of his resources to the creation of Leviathan Studio, a dance studio in B.C. committed to the study of CI. www.leviathan.lasqueti.ca Suzanne Liska (B.A., B.Ed, Certified Alexander Technique Teacher, SSHRC funded MFA in Dance Choreography) is a dance artist, choreographer, and teacher, specializing in CI since 1998 and the Alexander Technique since 2008. She collaborates with dance artists Maxine Heppner, Pam Johnson, Karen Kaeja, Susan Lee, Kathleen Rea and Takako Segawa. Suzanne has taught workshop intensives for Collective Gulp in Ottawa, CCDC in Calgary, C.I.N.N. in Tokyo, and Leviathan studio in BC and for Randolph Performing Arts College, Ryerson University, George Brown and Humber College in Toronto. Suzanne is contract faculty in Dance at York University. www.suzanneliska.com Registration and more info: Suzanne Liska suzliska@yahoo.com 416 704-8096 www.suzanneliska.com www.leviathan.lasqueti.ca |
NEW AIM - Alexander Technique Informed Movement Workshops Mondays 6-8pm Oct 1, Nov 5, Dec 3, 2018 Location: IGAC Artscape Youngplace Centre, Toronto Studio 103 – 180 Shaw St. (South Dundas) Cost: $30/wkshp Before Sep 12 $25/wkshp cada/act/stud $60 all three wkshps *Open to all levels of experience **Max. 8 students for more individualized learning Work better. Perform better. Feel better. Whether it is your daily activities and/or performance (music, dance, acting, etc.), Alexander Technique helps to free patterns of tension and begin to access your underlying support. There will be opportunities to receive “hands-on-work” by Suzanne. The workshops will include discussion, observation, movement, and individual activities. |
Current and Upcoming University/College Courses
York University, Dance Improvisation, Fall/Winter 2018/2019
Ryerson - sub-teaching for Phillipa Domville, Movement for the Actors, 2017/2018
George Brown - sub-teaching for Kathleen Rea, Movement for Dancers, Fall 2017
York University, Dance Improvisation, Fall/Winter 2018/2019
Ryerson - sub-teaching for Phillipa Domville, Movement for the Actors, 2017/2018
George Brown - sub-teaching for Kathleen Rea, Movement for Dancers, Fall 2017
Dance Teaching Experience:
Conditioning, Somatics (Alexander Technique), Solo, Contact, Ensemble Improvisation/Composition
Conditioning, Somatics (Alexander Technique), Solo, Contact, Ensemble Improvisation/Composition
- Acting Division Faculty Teacher at Randolph Performing Arts - College Program, Toronto 2011 – 2017
- Course Director in the Fundamentals of Physical Practice (Conditioning, Somatics and Improvisation), York University, Toronto, 2016 – 2017
- Graduate Rehearsal Assistant - York Dance Ensemble, York University 2015-2016
- University/College Workshops for Philippa Domville (Ryerson University), Susan Lee, Julia Sasso, and Gwen Dobie (York University) and Kathleen Rea (George Brown College), Kaeja d’Dance (School of Toronto Dance Theatre ) Toronto, 2006 – ongoing
- Residencies for C.I.N.N. (Tokyo), Leviathan Studio (B.C.), Collective Gulp Dance Projects (Ottawa), Artists’ Play Dance Company, Mayfield Secondary Arts High School, Simcoe Dance, Peterborough and Calgary Jams, Japan 2005 – ongoing
- AIM Alexander Technique Informed Movement with Susan Sinclair 2012 – 2015