Virginia Duivenvoorden

Smiling woman in a dark blazer poses against a black background.

Biography

Virginia Duivenvoorden is a performing artist, choreographer, and educator whose practice spans performance, film, teaching, and community-engaged dance. Born in the UK and of Irish and English descent, she has lived on Coast Salish Territory since childhood. Trained at Arts Umbrella, SFU, and the European Dance Development Centre (now ArtEZ), she began her career with Karen Jamieson Dance, later performing solo works by Serge Bennathan and Cornelius FischerCredo. Her choreographic practice emerged while studying in the Netherlands, where she collaborated on dance, installation, and multimedia works before retiring early from dance due to injury. After a long recovery Virginia returned to dance professionally in 2017. She is joyful to have since had the opportunity to work with fellow artists including Claire French and the team with re:group, engaging in movement research and collaboration. Virginia has also worked with Kay Huang, whose artistic input has been integral to many choreographic explorations. Virginia’s recent projects include Kite, a dance film she choreographed, Seams, in which she plays Seraphina as the lead actor, both of which she worked with filmmaker Jerry Trieus. Whose Step..?, is her latest scripted improv work in development. Her work, shaped by interdisciplinary practice and arts education, has been supported by The Dance Centre, the Vancouver Foundation, New Works, PHT Creative Hub, United Way Lower Mainland, the District of West Vancouver, and North Vancouver Recreation and Culture.

Imagery Exercise Performing Arts

Artistic Practice

About My Practice

My practice includes choreography, acting, teaching, directing and textile-based installation—using fabric and movement to transform spaces and evoke memory, emotion, and transformation. I work with imagery as both a visual and conceptual tool, drawing from nature, imagination, and lived experience to shape my creative language.

The recently completed short film Kite, choreographed in collaboration with Jerry Trieus, marked a pivotal moment in my artistic journey. It allowed me to explore choreography through the lens of filmmaking—revealing emotional landscapes and physicality in close-up, and connecting with festival audiences around the world. This experience affirmed my commitment to visual storytelling and the power of dance to communicate beyond words.

My work is rooted in contemporary dance and visual language, often inspired by natural environments and the textures of everyday life. I incorporate fabrics into my choreographic and installation work to create tactile, immersive experiences—where movement and material meet to express transformation, memory, and connection.

As an arts educator, I guide individuals through creative and learning experiences, offering diverse movement and arts practices that inspire growth. Collaboration is central to my process, and I work with a talented team to integrate design, light, colour, and texture into performance—enhancing the emotional and visual impact of the work.

With deep gratitude, I work as a guest on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and Musqueam Nations. My artistic practice is a response to place, presence, and the ongoing dialogue between body, land, and imagination.

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