soma anima arts (Kinesis Dance Society)

soma anima arts, aka Kinesis Dance Society, has evolved since its founding in 1986 by Greek-Canadian Paraskevas Terezakis. In 2024, Vancouver-based interdisciplinary artist Rachel Helten became Artistic Director.

Rachel is a multidisciplinary artist, dancer, choreographer, teacher, writer, and performer, and settler on the stolen and unceded ancestral lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō, and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. With a BFA in Dance from Simon Fraser University, Rachel's work emphasizes deep listening, collaboration, interdisciplinary methods, and storytelling through movement. Her practice explores interactions with real and imagined worlds, focusing on how vulnerability can lead to transformation and liberation. She has collaborated with many heart-led, inspiring artists, presenting her original works locally and internationally.
soma anima arts cultivates exploration of creative liberation through education, community engagement, research, creation, and performance. We foster dialogue across cultural boundaries, presenting original interdisciplinary works in diverse venues to engage and connect communities. Our vision is a world where everyone can access the transformative and healing power of art. We are committed to decolonizing consciousness and practices in the arts, advocating for a more just, loving, and equitable world that honors the interconnectedness of all, while prioritizing accessibility, equity, and radical care.