People Dancing Together
In Partnership with Ottawa Dance Directive
Led by Mary Catherine Jack and Jocelyn Todd with musician Yolande Laroche.
Saturday, November 7, 2026 | 11 am - 12:30 pm
Arts Court – ODD Box
People Dancing Together is an open-level movement session for artists, performers and any and all people who want to dance together. Led by Mary Catherine Jack and Jocelyn Todd, the session will include guided movement research and structured improvisation, interspersed with time for free writing. Inspiration and direction will be offered in the form of prompts, discussion and live music.
No previous dance experience is required. This movement session is designed to meet participants where they are at, in terms of capacity, energy level and curiosity. Please wear comfortable clothing, socks, bare feet or indoor sneakers. Bring a water bottle, a notebook and writing materials.
Artists
Jocelyn Todd
Jocelyn Todd (she/her) is a dancer, choreographer and multi-disciplinary artist currently working on the unceded Territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation / Ottawa. After graduating from The School of Dance's Contemporary Dance Programme in 2012, Jocelyn began living and working in London, UK. While abroad she studied extensively in dance, improvisation and choreographic pedagogy and process, as well as presenting her choreographic work in London and Suffolk. Returning to Canada in 2020, Jocelyn's work has been supported by the Ottawa Arts Council, City of Ottawa, Ottawa Dance Directive, Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts. As a teacher, she combines varied movement and improvisation practices with contemporary pedagogies and encourages the uniqueness of each individual body.
Jocelyn was the co-founder and co-artistic director of Dark Horse Dance Projects, a dance creation and presentation platform that spanned seven seasons (2015-2022) and focused on supporting dance artists in Ottawa.
Mary Catherine
Mary Catherine Jack is an Ottawa-based artist. Her ongoing and evolving research centres around dance/movement creation, performance and instruction. Mary Catherine is most satisfied in her artistry when she is working in collaboration with others, across disciplines. Mary Catherine has performed and presented as part of The Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival, The Canada Dance Festival, Dark Horse Dance Projects and with the Ottawa Dance Directive. She is committed to the ongoing sustainability and growth of the Arts scene and acts on this commitment through various forms of pedagogy and community building. Mary Catherine is a graduate of the Professional Contemporary Dance Training Program at the School of Dance (Ottawa) and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Visual Arts Major, Performing Arts Option) from the University of Waterloo. Mary Catherine grew up on a farm and is an avid outdoorswoman. These gifts deeply influence her artistic practice.
Yolande Laroche
Yolande Laroche is a queer Canadian Taiwanese artist, producer, DJ and music educator based in Gatineau, Quebec. With a background in classical clarinet, she brings a wide range of experience to her many projects. She is familiar face in Pony Girl (Paper Bag Records), KAY-fayb, and creates her solo work as Orchidae (Birthday Cake Records) and under her own name.