My name is Abigail and I’m 18 years old. I am a competitive dancer and dance teacher in the Jane and Finch community. I started dancing at the age of 5 at Definitely Dance, a studio in the Jane and Finch area that has been running for 14 years. Within the 14 years I’ve also travelled with the studio competing at multiple dance competitions. I’ve also graduated from Claude Watson School of the Arts High School as a dance major. As well as completed my first year at York University for my BFA in Dance. I love helping my community. A major community initiative that I started with my younger brother was to build a playground in my community that was accessible to all kids, even kids with limitations. We wrote letters, got signatures on a petition and even got it as far as being on the news, on google and it finally happened. At the young ages of 9 and 10 we ended up sparking the change for the rebuilding of not one but many more playgrounds in the neighborhood.

While my leadership and dance journey has definitely been a long one and I don’t plan on it ending anytime soon. It motivates me and teaches me many life skills, some of which piggyback into the dance program that I started in the community called Inspiring Community Dance Connections.

ICDC is a program where kids can experience the art form of dance in a fun/engaging way. Not only that but it will also help them learn the power of confidence, self-expression, discipline and grow their voice in the world. As I continue to dive deeper into my passion I noticed that the opportunity for such programs were very limited and blocked by stereotyped barriers. By creating this program the goal is to use dance for a bigger picture to inspire the learning and the importance behind embracing your diversity and power in the world, as a black individual. I want to inspire the next group of young black dancers to keep the change progressing in society, to embrace their differences because, black people can become professional dancers. Even if they don't want to go into dance in their future. I want to inspire young dancers that no matter what they wish to become in life all they have to do is have discipline, persevere, be determined, and be their own voice to invoke change.

By the end of the 1st year 2024 at ICDC we will have helped over 20 kids start working towards their potential in dance and you don’t have to wait. Get ready for our 2nd year 2025 to keep the growth going by following us on instagram or reaching out via email to sign up for September.

Instagram: @icdc_dance

Email: icdc5678@gmail.com

She has given her life to God at a young age.  She then took the step in 2005 where she was baptized at Revivaltime Tabernacle World Wide Ministries.  God had given her the gift of singing and she currently sings on the praise and worship team at Revivaltime.  That was just the beginning.  Now God is opening more doors for her to minister the word to his people.   She is so thankful for all that God has done and has to come.  Get ready to be blessed this year as Tonia wows us with her majestic voice singing Gospel Music.

Please stay tuned to this page for updates to our lineup for 2024.  Or you can always navigate to the "Main Stage Schedule" to see what else is going on...