Collective HEAT radiates the principle of synergy – the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Founded in 2005 as a means of showcasing the talents of dance artists working in Toronto, the collective melded to a core group of artists Jen Cole, Meaghan Giusti, Sarah Lochhead and Heather Saum, with input and participation from many guest artists. Collective HEAT’s main focus is contemporary dance with an interest in creating multi-disciplinary collaborations that push their boundaries as choreographers and performers.
Heather Saum started the collective to showcase the talents of artists working in the Toronto arts community. We are always seeking new project ideas and creative suggestions by emerging and established artists from the community.
Heather Saum started the collective to showcase the talents of artists working in the Toronto arts community. We are always seeking new project ideas and creative suggestions by emerging and established artists from the community.
Collective HEAT represents a group of local dance artists. The artists who are involved in the collective may change depending on the project.
Heather Saum, originally from Saskatchewan, is a choreographer, performer, teacher and the Artistic Director of Collective HEAT. She is a graduate of York University where she completed her Master’s degree in dance. Her research in dance history and feminist performance studies has greatly influenced her current work. She also holds an Education degree, with an Interdisciplinary Arts focus, from the University of Regina, Saskatchewan.
As a dance artist she continually tries to bridge her education background with her artistic endeavors. Her training started with Jazz, Tap and Ballet but she now practices and engages in various contemporary dance forms. She has studied with prestigious dance and music artists such as Olivia Tailfeathers, Davida Monk, Robin Potrias, Holly Small and Helen Jones. Her work has been featured in Saskatchewan as well as, Toronto at York University, University of Toronto, Toronto Street Festivals, Dancemakers and for the International Dance Day Festival.
Britt Brie. Bio coming soon...
Jen Cole, has always been fascinated with the personal facet of technique and collaboration with others. She is drawn towards movement that expresses feelings or events that resonate as relatable experiences. Beginning her dance journey under the direction of Dianne Long, Jen was instilled with the importance of performance as a means of communication. Her studies with David Earle reinforced the power of dedicated movement exploration and improvisation. Academically, both Simon Fraser University and York University have given Jen a great respect for the work that has shaped the existing field of dance, and she is excited to continue the exploration. 
Sarah Lochhead, is a dance artist originally from Windsor ON. She participated in an exchange to University College Chichester in England, where she became interested in dance film, media arts and community based art projects. Sarah has performed with HNM Dance Company, independent choreographers Sara Burgess and Heather Saum, and with Menaka Thakkar Dance Company.
While attending York University, she was a member of the York University Dance Ensemble and worked with choreographers Julia Aplin, Andrea Nann, Holly Small and Susan Cash. She is currently Acting Managing Editor and Staff Writer for The Dance Current magazine, and teaches recreational dance programs for the City of Barrie. She holds a BFA in dance from York University.
Meaghan Giusti, is a dancer, choreographer, rehearsal director and arts administrator. Originally from Sudbury, Ontario Meaghan came to Toronto and received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from York University’s Dance Program. During her studies at York she was an ensemble member and rehearsal director for the York Dance Ensemble where she had the pleasure of working with Susan Cash, Holly Small, Yvonne Ng and Andrea Nann. Meaghan presented her choreographic work throughout her studies at York as well as at the fFiDA International Dance Festival, Vessel Dance Projects, Eros, Thanatos & the Avant-Garde and Earthdancers. Meaghan also works as the Programs and Services Coordinator for The Canadian Dance Assembly and is the administrative coordinator for the Dance Department at George Brown College.
Moments on a wrist: Collective Heat presents movement stories that pay homage to the wrist - The center of articulation.
Series 8:08: The Choreographic Performance Workshops or CPWs are showings of short works-in-progress by professional dance artists. Join us on the last Saturday of (almost) every month from September to May to discover Canadian in the making.
coming soon
pics and videos will be here
Another section for pics and vids
