LOUISE PAQUETTE,
dance artist, teacher and choreographer, began her early dance training in her hometown of Windsor, ON. Early on, she had the opportunity to perform in both Italy in 1990 and Japan in 1993, as a member of Windsor City Ballet. In 1995 she graduated with a BFA from York University in T.O., ON. Returning to Windsor, Paquette had the pleasure of dancing and training with Denise Szykula, as a member of Dance Nonce from 1998 - 2003 and also enjoyed the role of principal dancer for Dance Nonce the Sequel from 2009- 2019. Paquette was also a lead dancer with Gina Lori Riley Dance Enterprises in 1997, under the direction of Gina Lori Riley. The company released an independent multi arts film in June 2000, in which Louise performed the role of “Columbina”. The film, Commedia Fantasia has won awards in several independent film festivals. Louise was a company member of the Holy Name of Mary Dance Co., directed by Anh Nguyen from 1997-2009. In the early 2000’s Paquette enjoyed several trips to T.O. with the company to perform in the fringe Festival of Independent Dance Artists. H.N.M. also had several opportunities for her to perform locally with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra.
In 1998, Ms Paquette submitted her own choreography, 3 Items Only to fFIDA, where it was well received. Independently, Paquette also choreographed such shows as Radio Gals and The Fantasticks for the Windsor Theatre Festival (2001). Paquette has also choreographed for the University Players from 2001-2011 productions of Company, Three Sisters, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Much Ado About Nothing and Midsummer Night Dream.
Louise enjoyed 4 seasons at her own dance studio Dare 2 Dance. Paquette has been teaching at The University of Windsor in the Faculty of Education, Dance Methodology for the past 5 years and in the Drama Department, Dance for the Theatre for 20. Paquette taught creative movement, ballet, jazz and modern dance at The Dance Studio of the Academie Ste Cecile from 1996-2013. Ms Paquette has directed a children’s Dance Ensemble that has toured the productions of Peter and the Wolf, The Rainforest, The Magic Shoes, The Nutcracker, The Toy Store, Cats, Mulan, 101 Dalmations and Sadako and the tale of a thousand cranes, to local primary schools.
Louise also held a contracted position with the Greater Essex County District School Board as a part of a national program called Learning Through the Arts, where she worked in classrooms teaching the curriculum through dance.(1999-2017) This work continued and is currently Arts Can Teach. Paquette has also worked with grades 6-10 in a program called Youth Empowerment, with a focus on dance and creative movement. Louise was also a part of Living Through the Arts with different community groups. Louise continues to share her love of dance with others as both a performer and instructor and looks forward to working with Andrea Nann, Artistic Director of Dreamwalker Dance Company this new year of 2021.
