PATRIZIA FERLISI

Patrizia is a Toronto based dance artist who discovered a deep interest in dance and choreography at a young age. Her passion for movement and expression of rhythm quickly grew into a commitment in pursuing an artistic career in dance. Her aspiration to study dance and movement, both practically and academically, steered her to Ryerson University’s Dance Performance program under the direction of Nadia Potts. At Ryerson she partook in intense training in modern, ballet, contemporary, jazz, acting on camera, monologue studies, creative studies, and more. She had the opportunity to work with Roberto Campanella & Robert Glumbeck of Pro Arte Danza, Marie Jose Chartier, Allen Kaeja, Vicky St. Denys, Nadia Potts, and Karen Duplisea. She graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. In 2014, Patrizia earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from York University’s Choreography and Dramaturgy Program. At York she studied choreography, technology in performance, Laban Movement Analysis, and dramaturgy. Her thesis research involved audience participation as a methodology in creating contemporary dance works.

Patrizia has worked for reputable companies and choreographers in touring shows, films, industrials, and live theatre performances including: Cirque Du Soleil’s Delirium touring show, Mia Michaels, Travis Wall, Bell Celebrity Gala, Cadence Contemporary Ballet, Toronto Fringe Festival, Roberto Campanella, Debra Brown, Conteur Dance Company, The Dance Migration, and Newton Moreas Dance Theatre. Dance has allowed Patrizia the privilege of touring Brazil, U.S.A, Europe, & the United Kingdom as a performer and teacher. As a freelance choreographer and dance teacher, operating under her company Zdance Projects, Patrizia has 13 years experience working in high school arts programs and private dance studios. Her choreography often wins high acclaim and her students place in high overalls. In addition, Patrizia has created professional choreographies for Induo Dance Works and Jasmyn Fyffe Dance. She is currently on staff at George Brown College teaching Intro to Dance Careers, and at Conteur Dance Academy teaching Dance History, and Intro to Movement Analysis.  While completing her masters, Patrizia was Teacher Assistant in Carol Anderson’s third year Choreography Class at York University, and soon after she was hired to teach at York University’s Fine Arts Intensive Program. In 2009, she co-founded Lady Luck Productions Arts and Entertainment Group, an outlet to provide local artists with performing opportunities. Since the company’s inception she has choreographed four full-length productions; Generation Jukebox (2009), Swing In The Night A Vaudeville Cabaret (2010), Hotel Albergo (2012), and Ristorante Albergo (2013). This summer she will be working with Debra Brown as the assistant choreographer for the 2015 Pan Am Games.

Key Memberships: Dance Ontario, Canadian Dance Alliance. National Dance Education Organization (NDEO), Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE)