Alida Esmail

Alida Esmail (she/her) is a Dance and Theatre Artist, Pilates Instructor, and Dance and Health Research Professional. Originally from Burlington, Ontario, she now calls Tio’tia:ke/Montreal home. She holds a BFA (major Contemporary Dance, minor Psychology) from Concordia University and a MSc in Rehabilitation Sciences from Université de Montréal. Her dance education also includes a certificate year in India at the Attakkalari Centre for the Movement Arts and Mixed Media learning Bharatanatyam and Kalaripayyatu while maintaining training in ballet, contemporary, Pilates, and somatic practices. She has complimented these trainings over the years with theatre, corporeal-mime, contact improvisation, and Vipassana meditation. Selected performance and creation credits include: “Backyard Solos” (2021) presented by the Plateau Mont-Royal, POP Montreal, and Alchimies, Création et Cultures, “In our own backyards” (2020) and “Identity in Motion” (2018) presented by the Festival du Monde Arabe de Montréal, “Counter Offence” (2020) produced by Teesri Duniya Theatre, and “A cyclical journey” presented at the Festival Orientalys (2018) and the Aga Khan Diamond Jubilee Arts Festivals (2018). She has also performed with Roger Sinha (Sinhadanse), with the MT Space (Multicultural Theatre Space), and on TED.com. In addition, she has extensive training in International Ballroom/Latin dance and has competed nationally, winning in several categories. She currently uses this training to help develop and spread Liquid Lead Dancing, a gender-neutral approach to partner dancing. Alida has a keen interest for socio-political content and questioning topics related to her identity and community. She has recently co-created a collective with dance artist Sophia Wright and they are thrilled to be working in collaboration with D/deaf community for their next creation. Alongside her performance career she is also involved in innovative Arts and Health research which has been published in reputable peer-reviewed scientific journals. Alida has presented and performed across Canada, Europe, the United States, and India.