Student Profiles > MFA Graduate Students in Second Year of Research
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John Genera A dancer and choreographer born in Bogota Colombia, John Henry Genera has a degree in art education. He also studied advertising at the Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano and contemporary dance at the Higher Academy of Arts in Bogota. In 1996, he created his own company, Blancoscuro, and produced several original works. In 1997, he participated as a dancer in a Colombian-French project, "The Bridge". Since 1998 he has danced with the Foundation L'explose as a cast member in more than 10 works and has toured around the world performing in well-known theatres. In 2005 he was awarded UNESCO’s Ashberg scholarship, which allows artists to do a residency abroad. In Canada, he had the opportunity to work as a guest dancer in companies such as Parbleux, Newton Moraes Dance Theatre and Kaha:wi Dance Theatre. In 2006 he won the scholarship in dance creation by the Ministry of Culture Bogotá for the production of the play "Melancolía", also in 2009 for the production of the play "La Trampa". Dance Manager of the Secretariat of Culture Recreation and Sport in Bogota for the last two years and a teacher at Javeriana University in Bogota since 2008
Vanessa Kimmons
Vanessa’s intensive training in hip hop, house and contemporary dance have given a unique perspective and edge to her choreography and creation process. Developing ‘freestyle’ or improvised dance as an element of choreography (particularly when working with non-dancers), has proven imperative to creative and diverse choreographic explorations. With many years of experience teaching a wide range of levels and ages, Vanessa specializes in employing teaching methods that breakdown movement to their essentials, truly helping movers of all abilities to understand their own bodies and progress towards discovering a personal style of their own. Since graduating from York University (Bachelor of Fine Arts; Bachelor of Education), Vanessa has had the pleasure of performing and teaching locally and internationally for artists/companies such as Maxine Heppner, Keiko Kitano, DiscoLoveChild, Flavor Shop (Philippines, Hawaii, Canada), Meagan O'Shea, Parahumans Dance Theatre, IDAC, A-XIS Dance, and Janis Claxton (Ireland).
Catherine Murray
Catherine Murray is originally from North Vancouver, BC. She received her BFA in Dance from Ryerson University under the direction of Nadia Potts in 2005. While at Ryerson, Catherine had the opportunity to work with Julia Sasso and Andrea Nann. Catherine is the co-founder and Program Director of Project: Humanity, a not for profit organization that uses the arts to raise social awareness with a strong emphasis on community service. For the past five years, she has been involved in arts outreach with marginalized communities, theatre production and not-for-profit business. Catherine is looking forward to the opportunity to concentrate on her artistry with the MFA in dance program.
John Ottmann
John Ottmann’s career as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, rehearsal director and artistic director has spanned 27 years. He has garnered a reputation as a highly versatile, powerful dance artist, choreographer and inspiring mentor known for pushing and crossing the boundaries of ballet and contemporary dance. As a performer Ottmann danced with several companies including the National Ballet of Canada, Ballet BC, Mascall Dance, Fortier Danse Créations, Holy Body Tattoo and co-founded the collective, Quorum. As the Artistic Director of the Quinte Ballet School of Canada he implemented his progressive approach to teaching and mentoring. Ottmann has also taught and/or rehearsal directed for organizations including: Cirque du Soleil (“ZAIA”), Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, BJM Danse, La La La Human Steps, Coleman Lemieux Company, Compangnie Marie Chouinard, O Vertigo Danse, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Toronto Dance Theater, Ballet BC, Dutch National Ballet, Transformation Danse, Vancouver Ballet Society, Anna Wyman School of Dance Arts, Main Dance Bridging Program, Simon Fraser University, LADMMI. Ottmann has created over 20 choreographies. His work has been shown at The Canada Dance Festival, the Vancouver International Dance Festival, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Danse Cité –Traces Interprétes, The Fringe Festival Montreal, Dancing on the Edge Festival, and the National Ballet of Canada choreographic workshop. Newly transplanted to Toronto, Ottmann is a course director at York University and rehearsal director for Coleman Lemieux Company.
Bee Pallomina
Bee Pallomina is a dancer whose multifaceted practice explores movement in diverse arenas. Born and raised in Toronto, she graduated from the School of Toronto Dance Theatre, and has performed for a number of independent choreographers and dance companies. Long-term collaborative relationships include Jessica Runge (since 1996-2004), Dancetheatre David Earle (since 1998), Ame Henderson/Public Recordings (since 2008) and Dancemakers (1998 to 2000). She has also appeared in several short dance films by filmmakers Magali Charrier, Michael Downing, John Lauener, John Oswald and Karen Kaeja. Ongoing collaborations include performative-installation with multi-media artist Lee Henderson and Saskatchewan dance-artist Johanna Bundon. Bee also choreographs, improvises, and teaches moksha yoga, contemporary dance and somatic practice.
Pamela Rasbach
Pamela Rasbach is a Toronto-based choreographer and Artistic Director of Typecast Dance Company. She is a graduate of both Ryerson University’s dance program and Canada’s National Ballet School. Pamela has choreographed for Ryerson University, Cawthra Park Secondary School, Claude Watson School of the Arts, the Ontario School of Ballet, and Ballet Jörgen as part of their Solos and Duets Program. In Spring 2009 Pamela was one of nine international artists who participated in Berlin’s TAKT Kunstprojektraum, at which she presented two short dance films. Along with Typecast, she has choreographed multiple full-length works and has choreographed for various festivals including Nuit Blanche, DanceOntario’s Dance Weekend, Fresh Blood, and International Dance Day.
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