Music and movement have woven their way all through Layah's life. She currently makes her life as a teacher, dancer and musician, in the creative urban hub of Toronto, and in a corner of Eastern Ontario's beautiful wilderness, though happily follows the call of far-off stages and dance floors too.
In the realm of music, Layah has recorded 6 Folk/Soul albums for indie label Grace Note Records, and has performed across North America in festivals, concerts, and showcases since 2005.
Awards include: The Ottawa Blues Fest's Best Emerging Female Artist (2011), Ontario Arts Council/Ontario Council of Folk Festival’s Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award Shortlist (2009), an Ontario Independent Music Award for Best Female Artist (2008), and Best Folk (2007), a Toronto Independent Music Award for Best Jazz (2006), a CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award (2005), and an Ontario Council of Folk Festivals’ Best Political songwriting award (2005).
Performance highlights include: The Ottawa Blues Fest, ON, Rochester International Jazz Fest, NY, Falcon Ridge Folk Fest Emerging Artist Showcase, NY, Shelter Valley Folk Festival, ON, Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Official Showcase, ON, Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Formal Showcase, NY, Canadian Music Week, ON, Toronto City Roots Festival, ON, North By Northeast, ON, Blue Skies Music Festival, ON, New Music West, BC, and the Ottawa Folk Festival, ON.
In the realm of dance, Layah has delighted in creative movement since childhood, and has a background in Contemporary Dance, Ballet, Eurythmy, and Continuum Movement. Layah first fell for 5Rhythms as a teenager, and since 2009, has followed her love of the practice across North America, Central America, and Europe. Layah was trained and certified as a 5Rhythms teacher in 2014. Layah is accredited with the 5Rhythms Teachers Association, and is also a member of the International Conscious Movement Teachers Association. Teachers/mentors include Lucia Horan and Silvija Tomcik (5Rhythms), Adam Barley (ZeroOne), Kathy Altman (Open Floor), Kim Brodey (Continuum Movement), and David Treleaven (Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness).
With heARTSpace productions, Layah produces Conscious Dance workshops with visiting international teachers. Passionate about offering dancers sacred space to experience music and motion as medicine, Layah has taught expressive arts and has led all-ages dance gatherings in Toronto since co-founding the non-profit organization, The Move Dance Collective, in 2003. A guest DJ at Toronto’s conscious dance hubs, The Move, and Ecstatic Dance Toronto, Layah says: “the musical offerings I make are those that rock my own heart, move my soul, and make me sweat, be it a funky groove, a soulful melody, or a big thumping tribal beat. To my work I bring an expressive enthusiasm, a fascination with the weave of ritual and improvisational art, and a reverent love of creative practice as a transformational and political act.”
https://www.layahjane.com/. https://www.5rhythms.com/.
***Prior 5 Rhythms Wave Experience Required***
One previous Waves level workshop, or 10 hours of previous Waves level classes (minimum) is required to participate in this workshop.
Accessibility:
All are welcome here: all bodies, all genders, all races, all sexual orientations, all abilities & disabilities, all ages, all levels of dance experience.
Cost:
$225 Early bird (until May 10)
$250 Regular
$40 Friday night only (limited spots)
Cancellation Policy:
A full refund, less a $50 processing fee, will be issued if notice is received by May 10th.
A full refund, less a $150 processing fee, will be issued if notice is received by May 24th.
No refund will be issued for cancellations after May 24th.
(a 75% refund MAY be issued if the workshop is at capacity, and a replacement is registered).
***if you have symptoms of a cold/flu, please let us know. We appreciate any dancers who are ill to care for themselves and the group. If you cancel due to illness and let us know in advance, we can issue a refund less $50 processing fee.
