The celebration of legacy: With Vivine Scarlett and Timea Wharton-Suri

About Vivine Scarlett:

Vivine Scarlett is an administrator, choreographer, and instructor, whose artistic goals and aspirations are rooted in the love of dance. She is the Founder and Global Engagement Advisor for dance Immersion, an organization that presents, produces and supports dancers and dances of the African Diaspora while providing a number of diverse programs for children and adults.

As former Artistic Director and performing member of the Usafiri Dance & Drum Ensemble, Vivine created and presented works in both traditional influenced African and contemporary African dance styles. Vivine’s contributions to the field of dance are generated from an energy that has fueled her passion leading her on a journey for over 38 years of giving and serving through the arts. Drawn to all kinds of dance expressions and movement, Vivine’s passion has manifested many experiences that have served Canadian artists of African descent with opportunities that have laid a foundation for continued growth and representation. Over her career, Vivine has been the recipient of many awards, some of which include: the2021 Muriel Sherrin Award, 2016Dance Ontario Lifetime Achievement Award, 2011 Planet Africa Heritage Award received for her contributions. Her choreographic endeavors in the theatre production of “The Adventures of a Black Girl in search of God” won her a Dora Mavor Moore award in 2002 and her work in “The Freedom of dreams: The Story of Nelson Mandela” received a Dora nomination in 2003. Vivine has taught for numerous institutions and organizations throughout Canada, in Ghana and continues her creative explorations as a freelance choreographer.  

About Timea Wharton-Suri:

Timea Wharton-Suri has spent her lifetime dedicated to dance and community. She performed for many years with Ronald Taylor, Ballet Creole, and in her own works, touring North America and the Caribbean. Timea has educated and mentored hundreds of youth and adults through teaching, running her own dance-fitness studio, and through mentorship programs she created and/or participated in, including serving as a Big Sister. She has been invited to speak and inspire emerging artists and students for numerous organizations, including the Royal Academy of Dance, Schulich School of Business, Nia Centre for the Arts, Diaspora Dialogues, and many more.

Timea has curated or produced performance projects for Toronto Dance Theatre, Holla Jazz, Canadian Stage, dance Immersion, and TOLive/Meridian Arts Centre. She has served as an artist interviewer and moderator for Toronto International Festival of the Authors and Harbourfront Centre, Canadian Stage, CPAMO, and more. Timea has held senior administrative positions with Toronto Dance Theatre, Toronto Arts Council, the DTRC, and now, dance Immersion–serving as Curator & Program Director. She was the Chair of the Board of Directors of The Dance Current from 2019–2021. In addition to her decades of studies in ballet, western contemporary, Caribbean, and salsa movement languages, Timea earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance from York University, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and an Arts and Media Management Graduate Diploma from Schulich School of Business.