07 May Jeannie Vandekerkhove

Jeannie Vandekerkhove is a contemporary dancer, choreographer and teacher residing in Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Edmonton, on Treaty 6 Territory. She began her training at an early age in Fort McMurray, Alberta on Treaty 8 Territory, furthering her studies at Arts Umbrella’s Professional Training, and Graduate Programs in Vancouver, later attending Ballet BC’s Mentor Program. Over the past sixteen years, Jeannie has worked professionally in Montreal, Vancouver and Edmonton, performing nationally and internationally for a variety of renowned choreographers.

Jeannie continues to develop her own choreography through interdisciplinary creations and movement based improvisational practices. This spring she had the privilege to work with Thea Patterson on her “Silvering” residency at Mile Zero Dance. Jeannie is extremely grateful for the opportunity to develop her solo “Vacation Island”, and shift it to an online experimental dance video. She would like to thank Sasha Ivanochko, and Dancers’ Studio West for the opportunity, as well as Linnea Swan and Jacob Niedzwiecki for their mentorship. Thank you also to Gerry Morita and Mile Zero Dance for providing the space to create during the pandemic. Jeannie would like to recognize this land as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to those whose territory she resides on.