We’re excited to share information about an upcoming workshop weekend in Ottawa with Florence Leclerc, organized by our friend Alessandra Cadelli, on November 7–8, 2026.
Florence is a dancer and teacher whose approach goes beyond simply learning choreography. Her work invites dancers to explore the qualities that make movement expressive: musicality, nuance, intention, presence and the relationship between movement and music.
This weekend offers two distinct workshops, each focusing on a different aspect of artistic development.
Elegant Arms & Expressive Hands
Saturday, November 7 | 12:00–3:00 p.m.
Open to all levels
This workshop offers an in-depth exploration of upper-body expression, with a focus on fluid arm pathways, precise and expressive hands, and developing greater grace, softness and control.
It’s an opportunity to slow down and pay attention to the details that can transform how movement looks and feels, while exploring how to embody musical phrasing through the arms and hands.
Musicality & Artistic Presence
Sunday, November 8 | 12:00–3:00 p.m.
Intermediate to advanced
Sunday’s workshop takes a deeper look at Oriental dance as an expressive art form. Dancers will explore musical interpretation and nuance, presence, intention and connection, with a focus on developing greater emotional depth and artistry in movement.
While this workshop is geared toward intermediate and advanced dancers, both workshops are open to dancers with a range of experience. Saturday’s workshop is particularly accessible if you’re looking to refine your upper-body technique and expression.
A weekend to develop your artistry
What I particularly like about the pairing of these workshops is that they approach dance from two complementary directions. One focuses closely on the physical vocabulary of the arms and hands; the other expands outward into musical interpretation, presence and artistic expression.
Whether you attend one workshop or make a weekend of it, this is a chance to step outside your regular class routine and spend some dedicated time exploring what happens when technique becomes expression.
And if you know someone who might enjoy this kind of focused artistic exploration, please pass this along!
📍 Hintonburg Community Centre
1064 Wellington St. W., Ottawa, Ontario
📅 November 7 & 8, 2026
🕛 12:00–3:00 p.m. each day
Early-bird pricing until October 15
Both workshops: $175
Saturday only: $100
Sunday only: $100
After October 15:
Both workshops: $215
Saturday only: $120
Sunday only: $120
Registration is through the workshop registration form, with payment by e-transfer to Alessandra (alessandra.dance613@gmail.com).
Registration: https://tinyurl.com/FlorenceOttawa2026
For the full workshop details, visit the Facebook event.
We’re happy to see Alessandra bringing Florence to Ottawa for this special weekend, and we hope many of you will take advantage of the opportunity to learn with her.