NIKI WOZNIAK

Since co-founding Desiraeda Dance Theatre in 2007, Niki Wozniak has been making her mark as a unique and dynamic force in Toronto’s contemporary dance scene. Her choreographic style is notable for its theatrical and almost cinematic approach to exploring the human condition. Her creations are motivated by her passion for music and psychology, a curiosity of people, and a vibrant, imaginative vision.

An award-winning dancer, Niki appears in her own work and has had the honour of performing in the works of Robert Desrosiers, Peggy Baker, Shawn Hounsell, Siona Jackson, Linda Garneau, Patti Wilcox, David Connolly, and more. She danced in the Canadian Opera Company’s productions of Aida, Nixon in China, and in their Dora Award winning production Iphiginie en Tauride (Four Seasons Centre, Toronto).

As Artistic Director, Niki has choreographed several works for Desiraeda Dance Theatre, including a commission by Dance Ontario for Nuit Blanche 2007; The Tower, which was presented to rave reviews (Factory Theatre, Toronto 2008), the duet And then there were two... (The Chimera Project’s Fresh Blood; Enwave Theatre, Toronto 2009), which received an honourable mention from dance critic Paula Citron, Weight (Dancemakers Centre for Creation, Toronto 2010), and most recently "Wake of the Fallen" (Winchester St. Theatre, Toronto 2013).

Other projects have included choreography for the documentary series Science of Sin (Vision TV); short dance films Sakura (dir: Jazz Virk; Toronto Short Film Festival 2017) and Lift (dir: Chris Muir); Toronto International Dance Festival; the Rotary Club of Toronto; and appearances in music videos and commercials, including Serena Ryder and Countermeasure. Niki was the Dance Director and Choreographer for the Red Rain Energy Drink National Promo Campaign, and was the dance curator for Sing! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival, 2016.

Niki is also a highly regarded teacher and adjudicator, working across Canada, the USA, the Caribbean, and at the prestigious Shanghai Dance School in Shanghai, China.