DEZZA DANCE COMPANY

Sophie Brassard is a Vancouver-based dance artist and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance from Simon Fraser University. During her time at SFU she explored her interest in choreography through the creation of works for several interdisciplinary productions. She also explored her passion for performance through the interpretation of several works by local choreographers such as Rob Kitsos, Judith Garay and Vanessa Goodman. Sophie has also had the privilege of dancing in a reconstruction of Merce Cunningham’s Native Green under the direction of Megan Walker-Straight. In the last year she has performed works for Project CPR, for Dezza Dance and most recently has co-created a work for Vines Art Festival alongside Carly Penner. 

Cody Cox is a Vancouver based dance artist. He graduated from the Simon Fraser University School for the Contemporary Arts dance program in 2014 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. While there Cody had the opportunity to work with many wonderful Vancouver dance artists. Since graduation, Cody has been able to show his work at 12 Minutes Max, and the To.Be.Announced Choreographic Showcase. He has worked with local emerging artists such as Carolyn Schmidt and Jenn Edwards and has had the opportunity to apprentice for Vanessa Goodman’s “Wells Hill” and be a dancer for Rob Kitsos “Saudade”. Cody is continuing to be creative and looking for opportunities to show his work and to perform. He is excited to be joining Dezza Dance for the “Lay Me Down” Performance.

Katrina Leppanen grew up dancing in North Vancouver at Seymour Dance. Since then she has danced at Broadway Dance Centre and Alvin Ailey in New York, Cadence Ballet and The National Ballet School of Canada in Toronto, and Arts Umbrella in Vancouver. She has performed in companies and productions, at events, and for film. While pursuing professional ballet, Katrina suffered a knee injury that required immediate surgery. Since that moment, she has been dancing along on a journey of recovery, gratitude, and renewed passion. When not dancing, Katrina teaches fitness at Lagree West and Pure Barre in Vancouver.

Carly Penner began training from a young age around the Fraser Valley. Having a multiple disciplinary background, she has since narrowed her focus and found a passion for contemporary forms. Carly’s introduction to the Vancouver dance scene was through the Catalyst Dance Program, with whom she’s had the opportunity to perform at various venues and in various festivals. Her drive to pursue further training brought her to study in Israel through the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company’s Dance Journey Program, where she had the opportunity to learn Culberg Ballet repertoire, KCDC repertoire, perform an original piece by a current company member, and take class from various Israeli artists including Vertigo and Batsheva members. Since arriving home from Israel, Carly has returned to train for another two seasons with Catalyst, has been an understudy for the most recent DezzaDance work, and created a piece alongside Sophie Brassard for Vines Art Festival.