RESUME
Bio
Chenise Mitchell considers herself a Jazzer; an all around performing artist driven by rhythm and human connection. Chenise is a dancer, actor, writer, dramaturge, choreographer, photographer and now, with Spinal Rhythm Jazz, a director and business owner.
With 17 years of professional performance & creation experience, Chenise has toured across Turtle Island, appeared in commercials, and performed in festivals, concerts, music videos, musicals, plays.​
Chenise believes that Jazz ignites a connection to the rhythm of life like no other. Chenise feels belonging with Jazz because it is healing, it is social, it is connection, it is community. 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. Chenise has been on a mission to bring her passion for jazz to Toronto.
Experience​
2023
Know Your Thang - Creator & performer for International Alliance of Blacks in Dance through Dance Immersion
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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
Teaching
Experience
Chenise is currently teaching with
Chenise has taught classes with:
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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