Move Facilitators
Ariel (DJ)
Ariel Llama dances improvisationally three times a week, and has been a dance enthusiast – dancing and taking classes and workshops – for more than twenty-five years. He has deejayed more than 200 ecstatic dances. He is also a singer/songwriter and a kinetic artist (see this YouTube link).
Ferenc (DJ, Facilitator)
As a teenage DJ in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Ferenc had always been on the prowl for great dance tunes. That combined with his penchant for eclectic and idiosyncratic music from all over the globe gives his sets a particular angle, sometimes challenging but in a way that’ll shake your body, move your soul, and put a twinkle in your toes. For decades Ferenc has been a drummer, a skateboarder, and a cyclist. In early 2012 he wouldn’t have thought in a million years that he’d be going dancing once a week (sometimes more) but then he discovered this community and became hooked. Eventually in 2016 the opportunity arose to DJ at The Move and it’s been a wonderful journey of discovery, opening his mind to all sorts of new experiences, musical and otherwise.
Frank (DJ, Steward, Facilitator)
Frank started dancing in Toronto at the Bare-Foot Boogie before there even was a Move, but got sidelined for a decade when he became obsessed with West African drumming. When he eventually found his way back to The Move, he rediscovered a community that shines to this day with so many of the qualities he had been trying to cultivate - authentic movement and relating, emotional and physical expression, spiritual exploration, and formidable friendship. Frank is delighted to be an organizer and contributor to an event that holds such a special place for so many people. A peak dance-floor experience is a priceless thing.
Kera (Facilitator)
Kera loves movement and creative expression through dance. She enjoys that there is a place where people can gather together to dance that is substance-free and welcoming to all. The nonverbal space and diversity of music allows her to drop into her body and explore movement that she might not have discovered otherwise. For Kera, The Move is a meditation, inner alchemy, a creative outlet, a fitness regimen and a community. She is very grateful to be a part of The Move and delighted to now be a door facilitator for this fabulous collective of people. Kera has been attending The Move since 2010.
Marni (DJ Goldiloxx, Steward)
Meet DJ Goldiloxx! From tap-dancing kid to movement journey creator, Marni continues to find her groove through The Move Dance Collective. After years of DJing house parties and exploring movement practices like Nia, 5 Rhythms, Contact Improv and Axis Syllabus, Marni stepped into creating soul-stirring musical sets that get everyone moving. Her eclectic musical taste – from 90s beats to afro-soul, world rhythms to pop – brings the dance floor alive. As both DJ and Steward, she's grateful to have found this amazing community that aligns perfectly with her desire for creative expression and healthy movement in a safe, inclusive space. Come move with her!
Michael P! (DJ)
Michael P (they/them) is a multi-talented artist that hails from scarborough. they believe in the transformative nature of music and movement. they love playing music from across our planet that encourages movement exploration. sacred sounds, funk, organic, tribal, trance are some of the ingredients that they use to craft a journey. You can find their mixes at www.mixcloud.com/michael_p
Rene (Facilitator)
Rene is a facilitator (a.k.a. "life guard") and a long-dancing member of The Move. He's known for his idiosyncratic taste in distinctive sweaters and his martial-arts-inspired dance. With a beautiful smile, Rene brings his kind heart and support as a friend to the circle.
Sabine (Facilitator)
Sabine has always loved staying active and healthy - from hiking and snowshoeing, to swimming, biking and especially yoga. When she moved to Toronto from Germany, a new friend brought her to the Move’s second dance ever! And she’s been hooked ever since. For Sabine, dancing at The Move is about feeling embodied and moving in community with new and old friends alike. It reminds her of her younger days dancing on the sofa with her sisters when their parents weren’t home! Sabine began working as a greeter at The Move when it reopened post pandemic and this opportunity has greatly deepened her appreciation and love for this very special dance collective. What she loves the most is the freedom to be who she wants to be on the dancefloor.
Sarah J (DJ)
Sarah J has been a dedicated dancer in the The Move community since 2014. Passionate about music and dance, she creates sets with tribal rhythms, grounding beats and nostalgic highlights. A devotee of embodied disciplines, Sarah J was a competitive equestrian, a competitive powerlifter, and has trained in kettlebell sport. Her not-a-brain-in-a-vat philosophy aligns with The Move principle that movement and dance are essential. From 'peak gym' days to 'needed two naps' days, the Move has been a safe space for Sarah J to practice movement. In the Move Sarah J sees a healing space that meets the dancer wherever they’re at.
Twyla (DJ)
Twyla is a somatic educator, movement improvisation teacher, dancer and DJ. Twyla has been DJing for ecstatic and community dances for 15 years. She has been a resident DJ for The Move Collective for over a decade, spun tunes for many accessible and family-friendly events in Toronto and abroad, and initiated Sunset Groove in 2020 - an ecstatic dance in the park. As an improviser, Twyla creates her sets in real time by live DJing with the dancers. She loves providing a fun, deep and dynamic musical journey and seeing and hearing what unfolds when we co-create together.
Valerie (DJ, Facilitator)
Valerie loves to dance and delights in the transformative power of collective creative expression. Dance is Valerie's "church", her "temple". It's in community movement that she most easily connects with her wholeness. She believes that our greatest gift comes from aligning ourselves: mind, body, and spirit. In this light Valerie offers sound healing and bodywork sessions. She's DJed for The Move for the past eleven years. Valerie has also created dance journeys for EDT, Big Heart Dance Camp, and Blue Skies Music Festival.
MOVE ADVISORY COUNCIL (MAC)
Adriel
Adriel has always had a deep connection to music, dance, and creative expression. From organizing local live music events to exploring the depths of somatic practices in Calgary, Alberta, Adriel has spent years honing his craft in conscious dance, martial arts, and yoga. His mission is to create safe, open spaces where individuals can explore personal freedom through movement, music, and meditation. Adriel’s approach combines his diverse experiences to help others reconnect with their body’s wisdom and express themselves authentically.
Jennifer
Jennifer was introduced to dance as a child. She began with tap and jazz but found improvisation dance to be a perfect fit! She enjoys the freedom, balance and healing dance brings into her life. She is very passionate about music and dance. She is also very passionate about cooking and baking. She is a spiritual being, as well as, a proud mother/Oma of 4 children, and 5 grandchildren! A youthful spirit that believes in bringing community together, Jennifer uses her networking skills to organize ways of building a happy, healthier and more sustainable community. She feels being a part of The Move Collective is in perfect alignment with who she is and the path she's on. Come make connections and join her for a beautiful dance!
Josh
Josh felt called to dance after pandemic-induced self-isolation. He loves the release in letting loose to good beats and surrendering to the moment. When not at ecstatic dance he enjoys dancing in the kitchen and contact improv. A yoga business owner with a good head for numbers and love of people. Josh is grateful for the opportunity to work with the Move Collective as a member of the Movement Advisory Council (MAC).
Shane
Shane’s kaleidoscopic connections to dance, music and art has moved him to constantly elevate cultural inspiration for audiences across Toronto over two decades. He has programmed and promoted hundreds of concerts and events at Harbourfront Centre, the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival, clubs like Revival and the Comfort Zone, and for a multitude of City of Toronto events and programs. Shane is also a past board member at the Toronto Blues Society and Music Can Heal. Go here to read more about some of his past experiences.
