Staff Spotlight: Kia Kotsanis

 

“… it’s inspiring to see students bring their gifts and qualities to our community, and out into the world.”

There is a diverse team of people that work behind the scenes at Canada’s Ballet Jörgen and George Brown Dance. Get to know our office staff, crew, local representatives, and several others in our new Staff Spotlight Series!

Our first feature introduces you to Kia Kotsanis, who has offered incredible support to GBD students throughout her nine years as Program Coordinator for George Brown Dance.

What is your role with Canada’s Ballet Jörgen and George Brown Dance?
I’m the Program Coordinator for George Brown Dance — I’m part of CBJ’s Education team, and my focus is the administration of the college dance programs. This means ensuring the daily operation and academic year run as smoothly as possible, and being a point of contact for most groups related to George Brown Dance (students, faculty, college departments, etc.)

(Unofficial description of my role: consummate juggler and extinguisher of fires, fighting back the forces of chaos so students receive the best training possible… all while providing support, Kleenex, and ironic commentary.)

What is inspiring about the work you do with students?
Supporting students as they face the challenges that come with being a young adult. Students grow and evolve so much over the duration of their program — as they slowly come into their own as adults and emerging artists, it’s inspiring to see students bring their gifts and qualities to our community, and out into the world.

What is something about yourself that your co-workers may not know?
Here’s three somethings:

  1. I was a cancan dancer for nearly a decade and was interviewed for a book about the history and resurgence of the cancan.
  2. My background is in holistic health, and I’ve practiced energy healing, shamanism, and sacred feminine ceremonial work for twenty years.
  3. I’m a writer and plan to write about dance one day – but first I have to finish my novel about faeries and vampires. Now that I think of it, faeries and vampires would be exceptional dancers — so I’ll be sure to include a dance scene!

Written by Victoria Campbell Windle, CBJ Communications Contributor.

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