Simziez
Simziez is a South Asian dance artist, choreographer, writer, and actor originally from Calgary, Alberta, but currently dedicates time to their artistic practice in Vancouver, Canada as a settler on the unceded, ancestral territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Simran stands on versatility being trained in classical, contemporary, and street dance forms. Mostly known for her work as a contemporary and street dancer, she is a captivating anomaly in this industry who consistently works in ground-breaking spaces.
Through choreography, text, or XR technology – specifically volumetric film, Simran’s work uncovers distorted memories and how they disfigure us, the duality of relief and grief, a deep longing, and our own identity as the mirror.
Simran has presented her work across Canada: In 2023 Simran presented her first live solo work at Artfulness Festival and OFF-Parcours Danse (Montreal, QC). Her first XR film, BETA बेटा was presented at Luna Arts Festival 2021 (Revelstoke, BC). In 2020, her first film ‘LUNACY’ was a part of the National Arts Centre CAPSULE (Canada) and premiered at F.O.R.M Film Festival (Vancouver, BC) and won the Official Selection of the Audience Choice Award. She made her acting debut in 2023 as the lead actor and assistant choreographer in Alberta Theatre Projects showing of Bombay Black as Apsara (Calgary, AB). As a performer, Simran has interpreted the works of artists, writers, and choreographers such as Su-Feh Lee, Heather Laura Gray, Vanessa Goodman, Furious Grace Dance Theatre, Ralph Escamillan, Emmalena Fredrikkson, Nancy Lee, Kevin Fraser, Nasiv Sall, Alison Wong, Anosh Irani, Shrina Patel.
Through battling in street dance, Simran is the Winner of 2023’s Release Yourself Whacking Battle in Montreal at Artfulness Festival, Top 16 at Hotmess 2023 (Montreal), Top 4 at Redbull Dance Your Style (Vancouver), Top 16 at Step Ya Game Up (New York City).
Simran’s other credits include Netflix, CW Riverdale, The Vancouver Opera, Dairy Canada, The Vancouver Art Gallery, Dancing On The Edge, OFF-Parcours Danse, F.O.R.M Festival, Apple TV, National Arts Centre, Fringe Manila and more.
