This collection of stories will draw you into the intimate world of dance animation. Each narrative is an affirmation of dance as a natural form for expressing ourselves and for interacting with one another. The narrative voices are those of dance artists, animateurs and participants who offer the reader a sense of the breadth of dance and animation taking place in Canada.

The stories represent the multiple approaches to dance animation and convey its profound influence on the creative practice, artistic direction and community work of dance artists who engage with it. Every story becomes a choreography of dance animation in miniature. The reader is taken to dif-ferent stages where dance animation is captured in all of its subtleties and complexities.

The collection is a valuable resource for the dance community and a catalyst for dialogue around dance animation. The stories will inspire artists already working in the field to continue, and arouse in others a curiosity to expand their own practice to include dance animation activities. Individuals are encouraged to discover and express their own creativity in a non-competitive and supportive environment.

Through their storytelling, animateurs also present fresh options for arts programmers, teachers in the public school system, community-based agencies, or even businesses to consider collaborating with dance artists. The stories highlight the personal transformative potential of dance animation activities in community settings.

While the participatory nature of many of these projects can lead to obvious physical benefits, the experience and sheer joy of moving can also engender feelings of entitlement and empowerment. Dance is an art form that uniquely promotes greater personal awareness through our bodies and, by means of a very primal activity, reaffirms an essential and shared humanity.