Toronto Members

GAVIN LAW (Co-Artistic Director)

Originally from Vancouver, Gavin moved to Toronto to attend York University, where he graduated with a BFA, double majoring in Dance & Kinesiology. He originally began his training in several street dance styles with hip hop based groups PraiseTEAM and C2 Genesys. He has worked with various Canadian choreographers such as Serge Bennathan, Denise Clarke, Naishi Wang, Hanna Kiel, Jasmyn Fyffe, Riley Sims, and Emily Cheung. He has attended the Gallim Dance Winter Intensive, Amsterdam Summer Intensive, Arts Umbrella Summer Intensive and was accepted into Springboard Danse Montreal, where he worked with Leo Lerus and performed an excerpt of L-E-V Dance Company’s (Sharon Eyal) “OCD Love”. He has choreographed multiple works for Nostos Collectives (“collision”, “Head Over Heels”), New Blue Festival (“as.i.am”), the Garage (“beyond the binary”), the Parahumans (“Motor Learning”), and is currently an Emerging Choreographer with Dancemakers' Peer Learning Network residency. Outside of Nostos Collectives, he has also been involved with Social Growl, Canadian Opera Company, Little Pear Garden Dance Company, the Parahumans, and the Garage. Gavin is also a Registered Massage Therapist of Ontario.

EMILY SPEARING

Emily Spearing is from London, Ontario where she began her training at age 13. She continued her dance education at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre graduating in 2016. Since graduating she has performed for Hanna Kiel/Human Body Expression, Gadfly, Nostos Dance Collectives, Parahumans, The Garage, Inamorata Dance Collective and many independent choreographers. Emily has spent her summers attending dance intensives such as Springboard Danse Montreal, B12 Festival, RUBBERBANDance Group, Alias Dance Project Summer Intensive and more. As a choreographer she has created works for London Fringe Festival, Nostos Dance Collectives, New Blue Dance Festival and Unionville High School.

Jake Ramos began his training with Norzagaray Dance Troupe in Bulacan, Philippines. He was first introduced to Philippine Cultural Dances, which became a strong foundation of his dance training. He graduated from the School of Toronto Dance Theatre in 2016 as co-winner of the 2016 Walker Wood Bursary and the Sharon B. Moore Solo Project Award. During his time at the school, he had pleasure of performing works from many renowned choreographers including Daryl Tracy, Julia Sasso, Kate Alton, Robert Derosiers, Sasha Ivanochko, James Kudelka, Peter Chin, Ofilio Sinbadhino, Louis Laberge-Coté, Danny Grossman, and Christopher House. He also participated in Canada Dance Festival’s 50 dancer project in 2016 “timeframe” by Robert Desrosiers. Since graduating, he had the pleasure of working with different choreographers and company including Jennifer Archibald, Robert Desrosiers, Peter Randazzo, Deborah Lundmark for Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, Hanna Kiel for Human Body Expression, William Yong for Zata Omm Dance Projects, ACE Dance Theatre, and Christopher House for Toronto Dance Theatre.

JAKE RAMOS

IRENA PONIZOVA

Irena Ponizova is a graduate of Ryerson's Theatre School, receiving her BFA in Performance Dance in 2016. She has had the opportunity to dance in creative works by remarkable choreographers like Hanna Kiel, James Kudelka, Robert Glumbek, Alysa Pires, Benjamin Landsberg, Ryan Lee, Apolonia Velasquez (GADFLY) and international choreographer Mate Meszaros. While training at Ryerson, Irena discovered her passion for choreographing where she was able to create various works for Choreographic Works as well as a full length piece for Ryerson's New Voices festival. She participated in TransFormation Danse in Montreal where she had the privilege of working with Peter Jasko, RUBBERBANDance Group and Daniele Desnoyers. She performed in Toronto's Fringe Festival 2017 as a part of SaMel Tanz's full length work, "The F Word" and she has also had her choreography be a part of Dance Matters' series "A Woman's Work". Irena was recently invited to create a piece on the second year dancers at Ryerson’s School of Performance for their show “EnChoreo”. This is her second season with Nostos Collectives where she has danced in various works as well as choreographed for the collective.

SONJA BORETSKI

Sonja Boretski was born in Belleville, Ontario. Her training began at the Quinte Ballet School of Canada where she graduated in 2013 after 4 years in the professional training program. She graduated from the School of Toronto Dance Theatre in 2016. Sonja has worked with many prominent choreographers, a few including Louis Laberge-Côte, Sasha Ivanochko, Robert Desrosiers and Christopher House. She apprenticed with ProArteDanza for their 2016 season, and has worked closely with Peggy Baker and her company as one of the 2017/18 RBC Emerging Artists. Sonja worked with Gadfly for their 2018 UNBXBL II production, and is currently working with Toronto Dance Theatre as an Intern.

MIYEKO FERGUSON

Miyeko Ferguson is a Toronto based artist. In 2016, she received her BFA degree in Performance Dance from Ryerson University. This is Miyeko's third season with Nostos Collectives and she joined in the Fall of 2016. Miyeko recently performed with Red Sky Performance in their world premier of Trace and is also continuing work Kate Hilliard of Granite Motion Gallery. In previous years, she has attended professional training programs with the School of Toronto Dance Theatre, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Kenny Pearl, ProArteDanza, Springboard Danse Montréal, Kaeja D’dance, Adelheid, and Alias Dance Project. She has also performed works by Ohad Naharin, Chuck Wilt, Hanna Kiel, James Kudelka, Kate Hilliard, Apolonia Velasqez, David Earle, Alysa Pires, Jera Wolfe, Robert Glumbek, and Ryan Lee.

TYLER ANGELL

Tyler Angell is an emerging dance artist and choreographer in Toronto. At the age of 15 he began his intense dance training in his hometown of Kitchener, Ontario, where he trained in all disciplines of dance under the direction of Margo Hartley. Tyler relocated to Toronto in 2013 to train with Courtnae Bowman at The School Of Cadence Ballet, where he developed a strong background in classical ballet, partnering, and contemporary dance. Now an alumnus from Cadence’s Post-Secondary Training Program, he is now a leading faculty member for the school. Tyler has worked professionally with Nostos Collectives, Little Pear Garden, Transcendance, Cadence Progressive Contemporary Company, Patrick Roberge Productions Inc, BMO, The Parahumans, Impromptu Movements, Alysa Pires Dance Projects, Human First Dance, Louis Laberge-Cotê, and Jeff Dimitriou. His stand-out choreography has been featured in shows with Nostos Collectives, CPCC, New Blue Dance Festival, and The Parahumans.

ALYSON MILLER

After a childhood full of dancing, Alyson left her hometown of Salisbury, New Brunswick to pursue her dancing dream in Toronto. Upon completing the Dance Performance program at George Brown College she was offered a mentorship with Ballet Jorgen Canada but decided instead to pursue contemporary dance. She then became a full time company member of Cadence Progressive Contemporary Ballet. Alyson has also had opportunities to dance for Gadfly, The Garage, numerous dance festivals and television/film productions in Toronto. She currently teaches at the prestigious School of Cadence Ballet as well as one of Toronto's busiest drop in studios City Dance Corps.

Krista Newey holds a BFA in Performance Dance from Ryerson University. Krista has most recently performed and choreographed for Nostos Dance Collective. She has also taken various dance intensives and workshops that included being apart of choreographic works by MADBOOTS DANCE, Ryan Lee, Gadfly, Kate Wallich (The YC), Virginie Brunelle, Riley Sims (Social Growl Dance), Parts + Labour_Danse, Ladia Aldaz Arrieta, and most recently Dana Gingras. Krista also participated in Adelheid’s first re:research program, where she danced and collaborated for Alyssa Martin. Krista’s choreography has appeared in TOES for Dance’s IGNITE summer intensive, Ryerson Choreographic Works, Ryerson’s New Voices Festival, the Dance Matters series “Into The Fire”, Nostos Dance Collective and for The Garage Studio Showing. Krista hopes to continue to create works of her own, and to always find new ways to research and create with fellow artists.

KRISTA NEWEY

Krista Newey holds a BFA in Performance Dance from Ryerson University. Krista has most recently performed and choreographed for Nostos Dance Collective. She has also taken various dance intensives and workshops that included being apart of choreographic works by MADBOOTS DANCE, Ryan Lee, Gadfly, Kate Wallich (The YC), Virginie Brunelle, Riley Sims (Social Growl Dance), Parts + Labour_Danse, Ladia Aldaz Arrieta, and most recently Dana Gingras. Krista also participated in Adelheid’s first re:research program, where she danced and collaborated for Alyssa Martin. Krista’s choreography has appeared in TOES for Dance’s IGNITE summer intensive, Ryerson Choreographic Works, Ryerson’s New Voices Festival, the Dance Matters series “Into The Fire”, Nostos Dance Collective and for The Garage Studio Showing. Krista hopes to continue to create works of her own, and to always find new ways to research and create with fellow artists.

Jessica is a Toronto based emerging artist with a BFA in Performance Dance from Ryerson University. Most recently, Jessica was accepted as one of RBC’s Emerging Dance Artists with Peggy Baker Dance Projects and began training and rehearsals with the company August 2018. Additionally, Jessica has had the pleasure of working with Toronto based choreographers such as Heidi Strauss, Jane Allison McKinney, Hana Kiel, Vicki St. Denys, ProArte Danza’s Roberto Campanella and Robert Glumbek, Tori Mehaffey, and James Kudelka. She has also gained experience performing works by internationally acclaimed choreographers including Johannes Wieland, Shannon Gillen of VIM VIGOR, Belinda Mcguire, Michel Getman, and James O’Hara. Jessica is very excited to be returning for her second season with Nostos Collectives.

JESSICA GERMANO

Jessica is a Toronto based emerging artist with a BFA in Performance Dance from Ryerson University. Most recently, Jessica was accepted as one of RBC’s Emerging Dance Artists with Peggy Baker Dance Projects and began training and rehearsals with the company August 2018. Additionally, Jessica has had the pleasure of working with Toronto based choreographers such as Heidi Strauss, Jane Allison McKinney, Hana Kiel, Vicki St. Denys, ProArte Danza’s Roberto Campanella and Robert Glumbek, Tori Mehaffey, and James Kudelka. She has also gained experience performing works by internationally acclaimed choreographers including Johannes Wieland, Shannon Gillen of VIM VIGOR, Belinda Mcguire, Michel Getman, and James O’Hara. Jessica is very excited to be returning for her second season with Nostos Collectives.

KATHERINE SEMCHUK

Katherine Semchuk is a dancer, choreographer and instructor currently based between Toronto and Edmonton. In 2013, Semchuk moved to Toronto to attend The School of Toronto Dance Theatre where she was the recipient of the Kathryn Ash Leadership award. She had the privilege of working with many artists including Kate Alton, Peggy Baker, Robert Desrosiers and James Kudelka. In addition to the School, she performed with Nostos Dance Collectives, Echo Dance Company and The Chimera Project’s Company B in Toronto. Since returning to Alberta, Katherine has worked with Good Women Dance Collective, Mile Zero Dance, Toy Guns Theatre and has performed works by Shay Kuebler, Jake W. Hastey and Kate Stashko in Edmonton and Calgary. With a growing interest in choreography, Semchuk has been working to develop her own artistic practice. Her work has been presented in both Edmonton and Toronto at festivals such as Feats Festival of Dance, Nextfest’s Dancefest, SkirtsAfire and through Nostos Collectives. Most recently, she was granted the Good Women Dance Collective’s 2017 New Work Award and a grant from the AFA to develop her first half-length piece. “I can’t sit still” was presented February 2018 at Expanse Festival.

ELEANOR VAN VEEN

Eleanor van Veen is a young and powerful dance artist based out of Toronto, Ontario. Eleanor received her professional training at The Conteur Academy and has since worked with prominent educators and choreographers such as: Hanna Kiel, Alysa Pires, Roberto Campenella, Tori Mehaffey, Robert Glumbek, Eryn Waltman and more. She is currently in the creation process with Hanna Kiel/Human Body Expression for a new production this year. Eleanor has also performed with The Toronto Fringe Festival, Capezio Ace Awards, Opus Dance Collective, The Garage, Nostos Collectives and understudied for ProArteDanza. She also premiered a new work "Sycamore" as part of the Nostos Collectives 2018 Winter Show "let's get physical!"