About

Hi, I’m Camille (they/them) – welcome to Camelia Dances.

I am a creative Black, African Diasporic, bi-racial, multi-ethnic and multicultural being. As a queer femme with non-apparent disabilities, neurodiversity, and a breast cancer survivor, I navigate the world with the wisdom of multiple experiences and resilience. My dance practice is rooted in activism for Black liberation, honouring my connection to ancestral waters while drawing strength from spiritual heritage.

As a Dance Artist, Facilitator, and Somatic Movement Specialist, I bring over 40 years of dance training and 20 years of embodied practice to create healing-centred spaces for movement and transformation. My dance journey spans formative training in African dance arts and Raqs Sharqi from SWANA/MENAHT cultures, alongside West African and various Diasporic dances, modern and contemporary dance studies.

I am Co-Founder of Ya Amar – Toronto, a dance company that facilitates workshops bringing cultural knowledge from global artists to Tkaronto. My performance career includes dancing as lead dancer and resident instructor with Arabesque Canada Company and Orchestra, as well as various dance ensembles. Today, I continue as an independent artist and facilitator, creating spaces where dance becomes a pathway to embodied resilience and liberation. My practice is deeply rooted in African Diasporic cultural practices, ancestral wisdom, and spirit-guided embodied prayer, weaving together movement as sacred ritual and healing medicine.

My approach to dance and movement is trauma-informed and healing-centred, embodying anti-oppressive, anti-racist, pro Black, queer and intersectional feminist values. I specialize in supporting dancers and movers of all levels who are looking to deepen their relationship with their bodies, explore cultural movement practices, and find appreciation for their unique rhythms and capacity.

Through dance, I help individuals recognize and honour the wisdom their bodies hold, supporting the development of restorative practices that celebrate innate resilience. My work particularly centres the diverse experiences of multicultural and racialized identities, creating spaciousness for authentic expression and healing.

My commitment is to walk alongside you in your dance journey, honouring both your individual story and the collective wisdom that emerges when we embrace our full humanity through movement.