Artist Bios

Photo: Dayna Szyndrowski

Olivia C. Davies

Olivia C. Davies creates and collaborates across multiple platforms including choreography, creative writing, film, improvisation, and sound design. Davies' body of work explores the emotional and political relationships between people and places, often investigating the body’s dynamic ability to transmit narrative, seeking to traverse boundaries and challenge social prejudice by conveying concepts and impressions that open different ways to experience the world. Her work has been presented in BC, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec since 2011. She is the Managing Artistic Director of O.Dela Arts, and creator and curator of the Matriarchs Uprising Festival series that celebrates the work of Indigenous women dancing stories of transformation. Recent choreographic projects include Maamawi: Together through the Fire ~ in collaboration with Peppers Ghost New Media Collective that is a virtual reality immersive experience and live performance retelling the Anishinaabe 7 Fires Prophecy through the lens of Indigenous Futurism; where you go ~ in collaboration with the choral ensemble Music Intima; and Straight, No Chaser ~ a biomyth monodrama that explores Olivia’s blood memory and the lessons passed down to her from her mother.  She honours her mixed Anishinaabe, French-Canadian, Finnish and Welsh heritage. www.oliviacdavies.ca

Photo: Courtesy of artists

Edmond Kilpatrick

Edmond Kilpatrick was a dance professional for thirty years. He danced for Ballet BC and Les Grands Ballet Canadiens de Montreal as well as 8 years as a contemporary dancer in Vancouver, BC. Along with his work as a dancer he choreographed for the stage and film, founded a dance company and taught dance to multiple generations of aspiring dancers. 

Edmond was on the board of directors of Dance West Network.