Yaëlle Azoulay / Photo Credit: Vitor Munhoz
Dance: Québécois Gigue
Level: Intermediate
Sat. October 24 | 9 AM - 10:30 AM | MacPhee Centre / The Sanctuary Arts Centre
This intermediate-to-advanced Québecois step dancing workshop explores traditional footwork from the Baie-des-Chaleurs region, collected between 2017 and 2022 through field research and encounters with local tradition bearers. Participants will dive into the unique rhythmic textures, groove, and musicality of these steps while developing precision, stamina, and expressive movement. You'll also explore how to incorporate these steps into your own improvisations.
Yaëlle Azoulay has been active in the dance world for over 25 years as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher. Specialized in contemporary gigue, Quebecois traditional dance, and percussive stepdance, she has developed a distinctive practice that bridges tradition and creation.
Recognized for her innovative and musical approach to pedagogy, she has been teaching step dance to all ages and levels for over 20 years. In 2018, Yaëlle co-founded Club Gigus, a province-wide step dance school with locations in more than eight cities across Quebec, and co-created Gigues-Tu, an online platform dedicated to sharing step dance knowledge.
Yaëlle is also an experienced dance caller, transmitting Quebecois traditional dances in contexts ranging from social events to international workshops.
Yaëlle's teaching and performances have taken her across Canada and abroad, earning her recognition as one of the leading figures in her field on the Quebec scene. She currently serves as President of Danse Trad Québec, advocating for the visibility and vitality of Quebec’s traditional dance heritage.