SAMANTHA RAYMOND

Samantha Raymond is an independent dance artist from Toronto, ON.  She is a graduate of the Performance Dance Program at Ryerson University, obtaining her BFA with honours. Since graduating, she has trained with some incredible companies such as Batsheva Dance Company, Kidd Pivot, Hofesh Shechter Company, and ProArte Danza.

Some of Samantha’s most memorable performance achievements include; dancing in the middle east (Oman) with Creativiva’s production of 'Pinocchio', travelling to Greece to perform in the Women in War project with director Peggy Shannon, and dancing alongside Emilio Colallilo at Fresh Blood Choreographic Festival 2013.  Here the duo received the Paula Citron award for outstanding choreography with their piece, 'Avidita'.  Samantha has danced with Toronto based companies such as First Act Productions (Songs For A New World), Rock Bottom Movement (The Holiday Show, Arranged Marriage), Point of View Dance Projects (Wireless Connection), Nostos Collectives (Up and Running, Chasing The Light), and starred as Edith Piaf in Bronwyn Odile Production’s show, Piaf: Songs of the Nightingale.  

Recently, Samantha traveled to the Netherlands to dance in the Junior Company at Dance in Art, and to perform in the ensemble with Harlekijn Danstheater in Amsterdam, as part of the Herman van Veen Arts Center.  While in Amsterdam, Samantha also performed with the site-specific dance company, Originally Fake.

Choreographically, Samantha has created work for Dance in Art (2017, 2018), New Blue Festival (2016), Nostos Collectives (2016), New Voices Festival (2014), Fresh Blood Choreographic Festival (2013), and Unbuttoned’s music video titled “Shy Cry.”

In the fall of 2017, Samantha started Raymond Dance Company, providing a home for her own choreographies, and a platform for female  contemporary dancers to share their artistic voices.    

Samantha has received teacher training from the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers, and is a full Jazz member of the Performing Arts Educators of Canada.  Samantha is also a certified Yoga teacher (RYT 200) through the Ruh Yoga School located in Goa, India.