About soma anima arts (Kinesis Dance Society)
soma anima arts (legal name: Kinesis Dance Society), evolving from Kinesis Dance somatheatro, is based in so-called Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Greek-Canadian Paraskevas Terezakis founded Kinesis Dance Society in 1986. Under his artistic direction, the company has created highly visual and emotional works which combine live performance with multimedia, text, design, and original musical composition. Terezakis’ choreography can be described as physical poetic theatre. The movements explore the contrast between the excitement of energy and the simple beauty of stillness. Often inspired by classical Greek theatre, Terezakis explores the visceral and emotional landscape of the human condition.
In 2023, Dancer & Choreographer Rachel Helten was appointed Associate Artistic Director, to help with the transition of the company as founder Paras Terezakis begins passing the reins, and mentoring her in becoming his eventual successor as Artistic Director. While honouring Paras’ legacy, Rachel is bringing a newer compassionate artistic voice to the organization.
Rachel Helten took on her role as Artistic Director of the company in April 2024, when Paras Terezakis stepped down and introduced her as his successor. In Summer 2024, Kinesis Dance started its rebranding under a new operating name: soma anima arts.
Under Rachel’s artistic leadership, the company’s mandate is to create transformative experiences through interdisciplinary art, celebrating kindness, liberation, expression, and community wellbeing. Collaborating across diverse disciplines, we integrate dynamic movement, vulnerability, rigor, and soulful storytelling in immersive works. Rooted in dance as a universal language for empowerment, we foster deep collaboration and diverse perspectives from inception. Embracing inclusivity and dismantling autocratic approaches, we empower artists to flourish and celebrate their multi-dimensional nature. Our initiatives span immersive performances, community practices, and global workshops, prioritizing accessibility, equity, and inclusivity. We advocate for values of gentleness, care, and empathy, aiming to create a world where everyone can access the transformative power of art. Driven by love and ancestral wisdom, we envision a mindful, interconnected world through revolutionary acts of creation.
About Rachel Helten
Artistic Director/Choreographer from 2024
Rachel Helten is a dance artist, choreographer, and teacher currently based on the unceded indigenous land belonging to the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō (Stolo), and Səl̓ílwəta/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. (Vancouver, B.C.). In 2016, she completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at Simon Fraser University. The cornerstones of Rachel Helten’s creative practice are found in deep listening, collaboration, interdisciplinary methods and unearthing the stories that live within our bodies. Her work is often charged with a curiosity of how we interact and respond to our real and imagined worlds and how vulnerable states can transform and liberate us.
In like manner, Rachel has been blessed to be a part of processes that nurture these fascinations with a vast array of artists. In her experience as a student, she has worked with Judith Garay, Rob Kitsos, Dorotea Saykaly, Vanessa Goodman, Heather Myers, Gioconda Barbuto, Emmalena Fredriksson, Peter Bingham, Sarah Chase, and Crystal Pite. Her select credits as an independent artist are working with Desirée Dunbar, Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg, The Plastic Orchid Factory, The East Vancouver Opera, Voirelia: Psychology, Philosophy and Dance Hub, Kinesis, Chaos Emblematic and Okams Racer. Her work has been presented at Goldcorp Centre for The Arts, Frederic Wood Theatre at UBC with Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg, Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre with Dezza Dance, Aberthau with Dezza Dance, The Dance Centre with Voirelia and 12 Minutes Max, The Cultch with Alley Theatre and 45 W where she co-produced a fundraiser for The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.
Rachel’s intention to aid in the emancipation and healing of herself and others has intimately transformed her artistic practice and has led her to various corners of the earth. Rachel gleaned insight from teaching dance at an art therapy centre in Quito, Ecuador. In addition, she has trained in Florence, Italy; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cascais, Portugal, and Brooklyn, USA. She is currently collaborating with and a member of Berlin based arts collective CHAOS EMBLEMATIC under the direction of Britt Angus and Vancouver based arts collective Okams Racer under the direction of Ana Sosa. She is also helping with the transition of acclaimed dance company Kinesis Dance somatheatro and receiving mentorship from renowned artistic director and founder Paraskevas Terezakis as she takes on the role of Associate Artistic Director. Rachel looks forward to continuing to breathe life into the seeds of creation within her and to honour our interconnectedness, and the poetry of nature through her work.
STAFF
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR / CHOREOGRAPHER
Rachel Helten
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / COORDINATOR
Carline Dolmazon
BOARD of DIRECTORS
CHAIR
Andrea Van Der Ree
TREASURER
Wendy Kao
CO-TREASURER
Linda Rosenheck
SECRETARY
Alina Sotskova
DIRECTORS
Clémence Beurton, Mitch Helten
Want to learn more about our past?
1986-2024: Paras Terezakis' Kinesis Dance somatheatro Visit our Legacy page dedicated to Paras & Kinesis Dance somatheatro!We acknowledge that the land I live, work, and create on is the stolen territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
This statement reflects a commitment to contributing to a more just, loving, and equitable world as we strive to learn from past mistakes, and move forward in a spirit of care, honoring the interconnectedness of land and community during this time of climate crisis and social injustice.
