COMPANY

To learn more about the company and the team behind, we must understand Roger Sinha’s story, founder of Sinha Danse.

My Roots R’ my Revolution

My parents are Indian and Armenian, I was born in England and I grew up in Saskatchewan. I always felt unique but paradoxically, I knew very little about my roots. This is where I got my drive to re-appropriate what had been forgotten: my Indian heritage.  This is the path that lead to Burning Skin and to the rest of my creations!

I would like to express my infinite gratitude to the talented and dedicated artists, collaborators and partners who, since 1991, have nourished Sinha Danse with ENERGY, DARING and DIVERSITY.

– Roger Sinha, artistic director and choreographer

MANDATE / ARTISTIC VISION 

Founded in 1991, the company’s mandate is to create, produce, present and promote contemporary choreographic projects inspired by the Indian cultural heritage of its founder. This goal is characterized by the fusion of interactive body expressions, culture and technology to connect with as broad an audience as possible while offering them a singular dance experience.

« Improvisation is extremely important to me because it is the most authentic voice I have. I am unable to think of movements­; I simply do them. »
– Roger Sinha

 The creation of Sinha Danse came about due to the need of its founder to reclaim his Indian heritage and make use of the tradition using contemporary expression.

The company explores a universe forged from contemporary dance, Bharata Natyam (traditional southern Indian dance), martial arts, theatre and slam. Stories hold an important place for Roger, especially those of authors, poets, travellers and the story of the choreographer himself.

Making use of irony and poetry, the pieces are created with energy and daring while perusing human existence and celebrating its universality and its diversity. Roger Sinha’s works take a critical look at current events, racism and culture shock.

Over the last few years, the company has sought to focus on the integration of new technology and the creative interdisciplinary process, alternating and associating interactive technology, video and music.Pursuing the idea of a discussion with the audience, Sinha Danse is resolutely focused on the evolution of dance as a form of art.

BIOGRAPHY

Roger was born in England to an Armenian mother and an Indian father and later moved at the age of eight to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. After graduating from Toronto Dance Theatre, he settled in Montreal and quickly became involved in several collaborations within the blossoming local artistic community.  In 1991, he formed his company Sinha Danse and began developing his distinct hybrid choreographic language based on his Indian background and Canadian culture. More than 30 shows were on tour across Canada and overseas. His creations unite Bharata Natyam, a dance originating in Southern India, martial arts and contemporary dance. This unique fusion of influences has given birth to hybrid choreographies that are unquestionably distinctive. Later in his career, his interest in musical performance became quite important. So much so, he started performing as a musician in one of his latest piece. 

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– A MULTI-FACETED CREATOR –

Roger Sinha has over twenty dance creations under his belt, often integrating technology and interactive media into his performances. A renowned choreographer, he also works regularly with sponsors including Tono (2008 Peking Olympic games, the Vancouver Winter Olympics and the Expo 2010 Shanghai China).

His works also include Burning Skin (1992, 2015) Borders (2004), Benches (1996), Loha (2000), Thok (2002), Apricot Trees Exist (2004), Zeros & Ones (2008, 2015), Thread (2008) and Asphalt Tango (2014), just to name a few. Roger Sinha is on an indefatigable quest to retrace the imperceptible barrier between the universal and the personal using humor and poetry as his guide.

He is also passionate about the video arts, producing two short films entitled The Barber of Bangalore (2008) and Haters N’ Baiters: The Culture Collision (2010) which won the Vote du Public Canadien at the Racines de Radio-Canada International contest in 2010.

Roger is also regularly asked to teach at various institutions including École de danse contemporaine de Montréal, Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers and at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre where he has also produced exclusive works. He has taught adults, children and teenagers2013 marked the success of Sunya which combined four dancers and the acclaimed musical ensemble Constantinople

In 2014 Hi5 Lo5 Wifi Takka Takka Dhim uses humor and derision to discuss themes of intimidation and intolerance among adolescents

In 2016, Roger Sinha dives into the community, producing a large-scale project entitled MoW! Montre(olly)Wood. This new work combines western contemporary dance and Bollywood dance with nearly 90 non-professional dancers. The show was presented on July 1 in Longueuil for the Canada Day, in front of over 1,000 spectators and again in Ottawa, Toronto and Brampton over the following years.

 

Awards

2018 Charles-Biddle Award winner, national and international scene: given by Culture pour tous and the MINISTRY OF IMMIGRATION, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION (MIDI). Watch Roger’s video testimony made by LA FABRIQUE CULTURELLE.


Arts & Culture Lys TROPHY (2017): GIVEN AT THE GRANDS PRIX MOSAIQUE’S GALA  for his work MoW! promoting inclusion and outreach of diversity in all its forms.


Cultural Diversity Prize in Dance (2016): PRESENTED BY the CONSEIL DES ARTS DE MONTRÉAL, FOR PRIX DE LA DANSE DE MONTRÉAL.


Kathryn Ash Choreographic Commission (2011) : Offered to a selected choreographer by the School of Toronto Dance Theater to create a production with students.


Prix du public canadien at the Racines de Radio-Canada International (2010) contest : For videodance, Haters n’ Baiters: The culture collision.


Multicultural Short Film Festival, New York (2009) : The Barber of Bangalore which was selected as a finalist.


Prix Dora Mavor Moore (2004) : Nomination of Thok in the best new choreography category.


Candance creative funds (1999) For Glace Noire.


Bonnie Bird Creation Fund Prize at the Laban Centre in London, England (1996) : Best North-American Choreography


Candance Creation fund (1995) for From a crack in the Earth… Light.


Accomplishments

Roger is chosen by the Canadian Dance Assembly (CDA) as ambassador for International Dance Day, on April 29th 2017


Sinha Danse has been selected FIVE TIMES for the Conseil des arts de Montréal en tournée for : Loha/Thok, Apricot Trees Exist, Zeros & Ones /Thread, SUNYA (2014-2015), Tope là, Tope ci, wifi takka takka dhim (2015-2016).


Tono was presented during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics’ Cultural Olympics as well as at the Expo 2010 Shanghai China.


Sinha Danse’s first tour of India : 5 cities, 6 shows, (2009).


Report on Roger Sinha : Freedom, Bravo Television, (2007).


Television adaptation of Thok for Dance with me, Bravo Television, (2005).


Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Sponsorship for Borders and the Blind Men Who build them, (2004).


2002 Dance critics choice, La Presse.


Television adaptation of Burning Skin for the CBC series In Performance, (1994).


Burning Skin tours twice in England (1993 and 1994), also presented at the Indian Dance Conference (New Delhi, 1993) during Roger’s first tour in India.

Team

Roger Sinha

Roger Sinha

Artistic Director

Roger Sinha, founder of Sinha Danse, choreographer, dancer and teacher. With over twenty creations to his name, he has contributed to the enrichment of dance and the Quebec arts community for over 25 years. Roger is a visionary, taking a singular approach that combines traditional Indian dance, contemporary dance, and martial arts as well as theatre and new technology. His passion is undoing the divides between the East and West. He is renowned for his commitment to cultural diversity, Roger is tirelessly redrawing the imperceptible boundary between the universal and the personal. See full biography.

Mariya Moneva

Mariya Moneva

General Manager

Mariya Moneva is a cultural management specialist who works mainly in the field of performing arts in Montreal and internationally since 2007. She holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Studies from the University of Sofia and a Diploma in Arts & Cultural Industries Management from HEC Montreal. Her expertise is substantial – she has lead 33 international tour projects in 23 different countries for the worldwide-renowned company Cirque Eloize, and through the years, has participated in the production of many shows, exhibitions and other artistic events in the Montreal area. Being herself a big supporter and admirer of dance, she joins with much enthusiasm Sinha Danse in 2017.

TICA MIKOL

TICA MIKOL

Communications coordinator

Tica is a research driven artist and cultural worker based in Montreal for over five years. Her artistic practice focuses on digital installations, where she favors co-creation to bring original, collaborative concepts to life. Her most recent project, ORIGO, was presented on the island of La Réunion, where she spent an immersive year actively participating in various cultural gatherings on the island. Drawing on her multiple experiences Tica has worked in cultural event management, film production and community art workshops. With her open mind and brimful creativity, she joins Sinha Danse at the end of 2024, ready to bring her dynamism to the team.  

Board of directors

Eric Abel Baland

Eric Abel Baland

President

Working in the performing arts field for more than 40 years in Quebec, Canada, and Europe, Mr. Baland holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Business Management and Events communications (equivalence DESS -HEC). He quickly became director for many organizations like The Jean-Pierre Perreault Foundation, O’Vertigo, the Montreal Ballets-Jazz / Arion-Baroque Orchestra and the Quebec Association of Performing Arts and Scenographers, to name a few.

Always very involved in federal and provincial political circles or social and progressive and social movements on the Island of Montreal, he campaigns every day for the artistic education of young people and for access to culture for all!

YAN LAMBERT-PAGEAU

YAN LAMBERT-PAGEAU

Treasurer

Holder of an accounting degree CPA, CMA, Yan has worked for over 5 years in the arts and entertainment sector. During his professional career, he has developed extensive experience in developing business plans, financial management and preparation of financial statements. Yan is also a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Montreal and was a member in the working Committee of Danse Danse and the annual benefit TUTU.

Roger Sinha

Roger Sinha

ADMINISTRATOR

Roger Sinha, founder of Sinha Danse, choreographer, dancer and teacher. With over twenty creations to his name, he has contributed to the enrichment of dance and the Quebec arts community for over 25 years. Roger is a visionary, taking a singular approach that combines traditional Indian dance, contemporary dance, and martial arts as well as theatre and new technology. His passion is undoing the divides between the East and West. He is renowned for his commitment to cultural diversity, Roger is tirelessly redrawing the imperceptible boundary between the universal and the personal. See full biography.

ERYN DACE TRUDELL

ERYN DACE TRUDELL

ADMINISTRATOR

Founder and Artistic director of MamaDances, Eryn holds a BFA in Dance from Juilliard, is a certified facilitator of Skinner Releasing Technique™ and a practitioner of Contact Improvisation (CI). She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in dance at the Université du Québec à Montréal and is a member of Regroupement Québécois de la Danse (RQD) and The Dancers Transition Centre (DTRC) and The American Dance Therapy Association (AMTD). As a dance artist, producer, presenter, choreographer, performer and teacher, she has experience in all aspects of dance from thought to stage. Her long and versatile career includes commissions from notable theatre, dance and opera companies and award-winning choreography.

Anne Massacré

Anne Massacré

VICE - PRESIDENT

Anne breathes dance since birth! Born to a ballet dancer father, she has worked in the dance industry since 1999 where she held management and coordination positions in communication and administration. She worked in France, then in Quebec, first for professional training in ballet and, later, in the Montreal-based professional contemporary dance company, also specializing with young publics, PPS Danse.

For her, dance is an essential art form which, beyond aesthetics, has the power since millennia to fuse communities and deliver messages. Her main motivations for joining Sinha Danse’s board of directors are that she wishes to continue participating in a cultural organization through its activities and administrative decisions and that she’s interested in the manner Roger’s work, the time of a choreography, brings a community together through various ways and dance styles.

Clarisse sidney

Clarisse sidney

SECRETARY

Graduate in Community Psychology, I am involved in the coordination of programs that contribute to the development of people’s power to act, integration and social justice. Over the last 7 years, I have developed experience in the strategic planning of organizations and accompanying adults in career transitions and young adults in professional integration.

My thirst for knowledge led me to Montreal, where I am currently studying Anthropology and worldviews of Aboriginal people in Quebec and the Amazon. I am passionate about everything that concerns the human in its singularity, actor of his own life, community and culture.

Raffaela Siniscalchi

Raffaela Siniscalchi

ADMINISTRATOR

Graduating with honors from a Master’s degree in Political Science – International Relations from UQÀM, Raffaela has 10 years of experience in the non-profit and institutional sector. She discovered the media sector in 2019, when she worked for Pimiento Médias and Cayenne Médias, two audiovisual production houses specialized in documentary. She then enriched her knowledge, at Van Grimde Corps Secrets,  on the integration of new media in choreographic writing. For the past two years, she has been responsible for digital development at the Conseil québécois du théâtre. Her mandate is to ensure project management, consultation, training and monitoring in areas where digital transformation is essential, whether it is discoverability on the web, creation with new technologies or organizational management using ICT.

honorary members

Johane Bergeron
Diane Morin
Madeleine Champagne

In recognition of their valuable contribution as administrators of the company, Johane Bergeron, Diane Morin and Madeleine Champagne were proclaimed honorary members of the board at the end of their mandates.

Partners

Louise Lapierre Danse
Foundation of Greater Montréal

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