Derek Sangster

Associate Director, Teacher, Jazz

Derek Sangster

Derek Sangster was appointed Associate Director of George Brown Dance in September 2012. In addition to his current position at George Brown College, he is a Director of Dance for Brant Lake Dance Camp in New York and a faculty member of Sheridan College and Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts. No stranger to film and television, Derek has created work for YTV, CBC, CMT, and MuchMusic. His film and television appearances include: Superstar, Borderline High, Rita and Friends, and New Year’s Eve in Niagara Falls. Recently Derek portrayed Andy Warhol in Moze Mossanen’s docu-drama, Nureyev. Combining his love for both music and dance, Derek has worked extensively with some of Canada’s leading musical artists as a dancer and video choreographer. Derek also has an extensive theatre career which began at the Stratford and Charlottetown Festivals. His choreography credits for the Stratford Festival include both Night For Life and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Derek was commissioned for a new work by Canada’s Ballet Jörgen for the company’s 2011 – 2012 season. His contemporary ballet, Good Mourning, premiered to sold-out houses at Toronto’s Betty Oliphant Theatre in March 2012.

Academic Credentials

Diploma, Dance, Ryerson University, 1993

BA, English, York University, 2005

Areas Of Specialization

Program Management, Jazz Dance, Creation & Choreography, Performance Director, Performance Producer, Social Media, Marketing

Areas Of Expertise

Organizational Behaviour, Strategy, Planning, Creativity, Coaching, Speaker, Student Experience, Consulting, Leadership, Management Consulting, Marketing, Advertising, Organizational Design

Career Highlights

2012 – Present: Program Manager, George Brown Dance, George Brown College

1997 – Present: Dance Faculty, Sheridan College

2005 – 2013: Dance Faculty, Ryerson University Theatre School

1994 – 2014: Dance Faculty, Randolph Academy of Performing Arts

1994: Charlottetown Festival, Company Member

1993: Stratford Festival, Company Member

Other Activities

Guest Instructor, Danceteq, TorontoGuest Artist, British Association of Teachers of Dancing (BATD)Guest Choreographer, Canada’s Ballet Jorgen, Toronto