Hoor Malas + Neil Sochasky

A Syrian dancer and movement artist based in Montréal since 2021, Hoor Malas began training at the age of eight at the Ballet School in Damascus. She holds a BA in Dance from the Higher Institute of Arts in Damascus, a Diploma in Contemporary Dance from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds, UK, and has taught contemporary dance techniques at the Art Conservatory in Damascus since 2009. She began choreographing in 2014, developing work that delves into social questions shaped by personal experiences. Her choreographic work includes If My Body Had a Name and Three Seconds. Hoor is also currently active as a performer and collaborator with Margie Gillis and PPS Danse.

Over more than 20 years and across five continents, Neil Sochasky has worked as a performer, rehearsal director, œil extérieur, choreographer, teacher, and coach. As a performance coach in dance, theatre, and circus, he helps artists move more efficiently, communicate more clearly, overcome technical challenges, and address chronic injuries. As a rehearsal director and dramaturge, he has collaborated with dance and theatre companies in France (Cie Pavlov, Transborder, Théâtre Naranja), Canada (Margie Gillis Dance Foundation, Nadère Arts Vivants, Ivanochko et cie / blackandblue dance projects, Hoor Malas), and the United States (Belinda McGuire Dance Projects). His choreographic work has been presented in Paris, Los Angeles, Melbourne, and Montréal.