I intertwine contemporary narratives through dance, song, and storytelling. Inspired by my African heritage and the Baha'i Faith, my art ignites hearts and stirs consciences, fostering dialogue and advocacy for ecological stewardship, social equity, and spiritual growth.
Artistic Director
Artistic Director, choreographer, curator & producer of LSDC, Lua Shayenne is a finalist of the 2024 Toronto Arts Foundation Muriel Sherrin Award and the 2025 Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prizes.
Through LSDC, Lua boldly envisioned and launched YENSA Festival in 2022, a biennial festival that highlights the incredible multiplicity of black women dance practitioners and nurtures an environment where they can have substantive conversations, take risks and be given due recognitions.
Lua is the Dora-nominated creator and performer of the dance theatre children’s tale Yassama and The Beaded Calabash. The work has been touring since 2023 at the salon du livre de Sudbury, the Junior Festival at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, the Vancouver Children’s Festival, the Children’s Festival of Saskatchewan, in schools across York Region including Aurora, Keswick, and Black River, the MIFO in Orléans and at Agora des Arts in Rouyn-Noranda, Québec. Yassama et la calebasse aux cauris is also a children’s book, published in French in 2026 by les Éditions Prise de Parole.
Lua teaches at Toronto Metropolitan University’s dance program and brings African dance, music, storytelling and culture to grassroots organizations and schools all over Canada.