Nina Jane Patel, MA

“Dance is not about learning steps, a style or technique. Dance is any movement the body chooses to make, a physical expression that words cannot express. For all human beings, dance is a way to learn and communicate. As babies we relate to our caregivers through movement and physical contact. As children we continue to learn through movement. All movement is dance; our physical connection to others and non-verbal communication - a life long dance with the world.”

Nina considers herself to be an advocate for dance as an art form - with a personal mission to create, stimulate and develop new ideas to expand the significance of dance within contemporary society. In both artistic and management capacities, Nina has committed her career to dance. As a graduate of Goldsmith College, University of London (M.A. Dance/Movement Therapy 2004) + Winnipegʼs Professional Training Program (BA Hons 2000), Nina has worked across Canada + the U.K. creating opportunities to reveal and highlight the importance of dance in how we live, learn and relate to each other.

Like many in this field, Nina currently holds distinct roles within the Vancouver dance community and advocates for dance within the following organizations; Dancing on the Edge Festival, Ballet BC, Dancer Transition Resource Centre and Mascall Dance. Past roles involve work with Nico Can Dance (an Atomic Cartoons production aired on PBSKids + BBCKids), Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers, Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Gearshifting Dance, The Lime Project Dance Company, Artists in Healthcare, Notting Hill School of Dance (UK), Kids Company (UK) and the National Health Service (NHS UK).

Nina has knowledge of artistic dance practices and practical experience from management of companies and large scale projects. Experienced in administration, outreach, development, fundraising, producing, event management,​ Nina has proven success within the arts + culture sector significantly impacting the organizations she works within. Nina has demonstrated strong leadership and advocacy for the arts throughout her career and this was recently recognized when she was selected as a participant in Banff Centre for Arts + Creativity’s inaugural Cultural Leadership Program.

As a Dance Movement Therapist, she trained and worked in London (UK) for five years within the NHS, the British School System and Her Majesty’s Prisons. Nina has worked with a wide range of populations including; at risk youth, children with autism, behavioural and/or emotional issues, eating disorders and ADHD, as well as adults with mental health diagnoses, dementia, Alzheimer and long-term brain damage.

Throughout her career, Nina has been passionate about dance and believes that dance has the power to change lives. Through her non-profit start-up Dance As You Are, www.danceasyouare.com she endeavours to connect dance artists across the globe who are changing lives through dance and develop further access to dance as a mode of self-expression for all.

As an active Vancouver parent, with 4 children in the public school system, Nina is co-chair of the Henry Hudson Parent Advisory Council 2015-present.

By constantly striving to understand myself through my physical relationship with the world, I have been able to live life with a sense of adventure, passion and compassion.

Whether I am creating a new work with professional dancers or working in the community with people who have never experienced contemporary dance before, at the core of my work is the belief that dance can transform lives.

I am committed to fostering the love of dance and making it accessible to all age groups and economic backgrounds. I am passionate about offering a new possibility of being through the body. By exploring your physical self, it opens doors to connecting with who you are authentically and powerfully. Read more about what I'm up to here.