How Do You Live?
Simcoe Contemporary Dancers
June 9, 2026 – June 13, 2026
When our lives change, we sometimes ask the universe how do I live? We wrestle with this question, alone, until we are ready to open ourselves up to community support. We then ask, how do you live? A simple yet loaded question. Our individual life experiences can dictate how we respond to this question and even dictate if we are willing to ask it out loud in the presence of others. The changes in our lives can invoke a range of emotions. Finding a way to live in a new reality and charting the unknown may bring feelings of unease. But how do you live through it? Threaded together through spoken word and physical connection, How Do You Live? explores the powerful forces that shape our lives from grief to joy, through individual and group movements. This show is rooted in the belief that storytelling through dance is a way for us all to connect and heal through life’s changing tides if we can find the willingness to be seen.
Performances
- June 9, 2026 – June 13, 2026 17:00
Venue
Five Points Theatre1 Dunlop Street West, Barrie
Ontario L4N 1A1
Artists
Chrissy Baxter earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Modern Dance from SUNY Brockport under the direction of Bill Evans, Mariah Maloney, Suzanne Oliver, and James Hansen. Since joining SCD in 2014, Chrissy has choreographed multiple works for the company, learned and performed many pieces from SCD's repertoire, was elected dancer representative to the Board of Directors (2015-2018), won an annual dedication award in 2016, and stepped into the role of Executive Director in 2018.
Jaqui Brown is a movement artist and dance teacher from Newmarket, Ontario. She earned a diploma in Performance Dance Studies and a Certificate in the Performing Arts from George Brown College. Additionally, Jaqui earned her degree in Psychology and Spanish from York University. Jaqui joined SCD in 2014. Alongside her work as a performer and choreographer, Jaqui has her own business as a photographer.
Paul Moen is a passionate and accomplished dancer who began training and competing at a young age. Paul continued his artistic development at George Brown College, studying dance, singing, and acting. After college, Paul moved to Sweden to teach dance and further expand his practice. Since returning to Canada, Paul has continued to teach and perform, sharing his experience, talent, and love of dance with both students and audiences.
Kasandra Chiaromonte has danced for as long as she can remember, always drawn to music, movement, and rhythm. She has trained in a wide range of dance styles and performed across the province. After stepping away from dance to earn a diploma in Early Childhood Education from Georgian College and work in the field, she returned to dance in 2019. Since then, Kasandra has been actively creating and performing throughout Simcoe County. Dance has always been, and will continue to be, an integral part of her life.
Aliyah Beckles is a dance artist and Registered Kinesiologist that resides in Penetanguishene. She has trained with Allison Bradley, Sarah Lochhead, Carol Anderson, Helen Jones, Megan Andrews, Tracey Norman, and Susan Lee. Aliyah completed three years of her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance before ultimately switching programs and graduating with her BA Specialized Honours in Kinesiology and Health Sciences. Aliyah’s choreographic works are informed by her own experiences and are reflective of the life stages she has worked through as a Black female identifying performer.
Elsie Kretzschmann began her dance journey at the age of 3 in Midland, Ontario. She practiced Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, and Modern dance. At the age of 8 she began competitive dance and continued until the age of 17. She excelled in Contemporary and Lyrical styles, falling deeply in love with Contemporary dance. Elsie continued to dance recreationally at Wilfrid Laurier University until graduating in 2019. After taking a brief break, Elsie rejoined the dance world in 2024, attending Simcoe Contemporary Dancers drop-in classes. Elsie is proud to have been welcomed as a guest artist at SCD in 2025 and is thrilled to explore her love of dance once again, alongside her fellow SCD dancers.
Billie Ainsley began her dance training at The Dance Academy of Barrie, dancing competitively and studying Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Jazz. She went on to graduate from the Etobicoke School of the Arts with a major in Dance, training in Ballet and Modern techniques.
Billie pursued further studies in Dance and Women’s Studies at Simon Fraser University and trained with Modus Operandi’s part-time program in Vancouver. She later continued her professional training at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre. Billie has over a decade of teaching experience. She specializes in teaching Modern, Contemporary, and Jazz, bringing both technical precision and expressive artistry to her Classes
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