RESUME
Bio
Chenise Mitchell is a Jazzer; a performing artist driven by rhythm and social and ancestral connection. She began her dance training at a young age, had her first commercial job at 13 and went on to complete a BFA in Theatre Performance focusing on Dance from Toronto Metropolitan University. Chenise has toured North America, and has appeared in commercials (Hasbro, Rogers, MMVAs), performed in festivals (Fringe Festivals, Ignite!, Provocation Fest, Springboard Fluid Fest, Calgary International Children’s Festival and more), flash mobs, concerts (David Foster Gala and more), music videos (Witch Prophet, Clinton St. John and more), musicals (Nunsense), plays (Streetcar Named Desire, inVISIBLE and more) and has created with: Holla Jazz, Dance Matters, Toronto History Museums, Nuit Blanche, SummerWorks, Toy Guns Dance Theatre, EveryBODY On Stage, Wildseed Centre for Activism and Art and many more.
Chenise is the founder and director of Spinal Rhythm Jazz, which offers classes and __ in Toronto. Its mission is to create a safer space for the exploration of the origins of Jazz dance and music and its influence on the world today. Spinal Rhythm Jazz is focused on supporting Black, Indigenous and People of Global Majority, 2SLGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent folks in their journey to understanding that the knowledge carried in their bodies is intelligent and valuable.
Chenise is passionate about emphasizing the revolutionary nature and Black origins of Jazz and this rhythm and connection is infused in her education, creation and performances.
Experience​
2024
R.A.V.E. Institute - Dance Captain & Performer
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2023
Know Your Thang - Creator & performer for International Alliance of Blacks in Dance through Dance Immersion
YENSA Festival - Workshop Facilitator/Teacher, accompaniment by Eric West and Julian Anderson-Bowes
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2022
You, Meet Us - Assistant/dramaturge, creation by Rodney Diverlus for TMU Dances
Margarita - Holla Jazz for Fall For Dance North
Ballet Jorgen Summer showcase - Choreographer
Provocation Festival - Solo performer
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2021
Dancing in the Park ONLINE - Toy Guns Dance Theatre
Curator and Performer
burn, burned - SummerWorks 2021
Performer/Collaborator - Created by Rodney Diverlus & Syrus Marcus Ware in collaboration with the artists and various Toronto based artists - Raven Davis, Jaz Fairy J & more
Makda - Witch Prophet music video
Performer
The Capilano Review - Looking For A Way To Dance - Winter 2021 magazine & launch
Writer/Contributor/Performer
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2020
It Ain't No Thing - EveryBODY On Stage
Tapper
Detangling - Dance Matters [A Woman’s Work - Series A (Online)]
Contemporary Jazz performance created and performed by Chenise Mitchell
A Revolution of Love - Awakenings [Toronto History Museums]
Dancer - Choreographed by Esie Mensah, Directed by Weyni Mengesha and Lucious Dechausay
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2019
Halcyon - Nuit Blanche 2019
Improviser - site specific & durational performance- created by Francesca Chudnoff
burn, burned - SummerWorks 2019
Dancer/Performer/Collaborator - Created by Rodney Diverlus & Syrus Marcus Ware
Worldly Women - Dance Fachin
Dancer/Performer - Ottawa Fringe & PEI Island Fringe
Nunsense! The Musical - JMP Productions
Sister Hubert - directed by Julien Murilo
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2018
BOTANICA - Ignite! Festival 2018
Dancer - Choreography by Sabrina Naz
Kept Progression - Particle + Wave Festival
Dancer/Improvisor - Choreography by Sabrina Naz, Media by Aran Wilkinson-Blanc
Re:research - Adelheid Dance
Dancer/Improvisor - Collaboration with Alyssa Martin (Rock Bottom Movement)
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2017
inVISIBLE - Handsome Alice Theatre
Performer/Creator/Collaborator
Century - short film (VIFF 2018)
Actor - Created/Directed by Left Side Pictures
In&Out of Love - One Yellow Rabbit
Interdisciplinary performance - Choreographed & directed by Denise Clarke
Calgary International Children’s Festival
Dancer/Character Actor (Sleepy Bear) - created by Bach Tots
Yapping Ladies - MADbeatz
Tap & Character piece, created and performed by Chenise Mitchell and Alicia Ward
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2016
A Streetcar Named Desire - Spirit Fire Theatre
Actor - Neighbour, Nurse - Directed by Paul Welch
Wait! - Fluid Festival 2016
Dance theatre piece - choreographed, written and performed by Chenise Mitchell
Cool - Ignite! Festival 2016
site-specific theatre created and performed by Chenise Mitchell
Yapping Ladies - SoulSteps Festival
Tap & character piece, choreographed and performed by Chenise Mitchell and Alicia Ward
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2015
Not Now, Maybe Later - Annual Alberta Dance Festival
Dancer - Choreographed by Rodney Diverlus
The I in stare - Ignite! Festival 2015
site-specific dance piece and monologue created and performed by Chenise Mitchell
Soteria - Mount Royal Artio Choir
Dancer - choreographed by Paul Anthony Chambers
Chenise is creator, director teacher
Chenise has taught with:​
Education
Wildseed Black Arts Fellowship
​2020 - 2022
13 Toronto based Black artists work with the founders of Wildseed Centre for Art and Activism to change the world around us for the better.
Faculty include: Rodney Diverlus, Ravyn Wings, Syrus Marcus Ware, Jaz Fairy J, and more.
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Decidedly Jazz Danceworks
​2014 - 2016
As part of the Professional Training Program Chenise was able to develop her artistry and continue to find her voice with weekly classes and mentorship.
Classes included: West African dance, Jazz dance, Jazz music theory, Tap, Ballet.
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Ryerson University
​2010 - 2014
She got her BFA in Theatre Performance - Dance!
Faculty included: Nadia Potts, Vicky St. Denys, Karen Duplisea, Linda Garneau, Arsenio Andrade, Marianne McIssac, David Warrack
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Joanne Chapman School of Dance
1999-2008
RAD Certificate Grade 1 - Advanced 2