Peggy Baker’s 50th Anniversary

Peggy Baker Dance Projects to wind down in 2023

April 8, 2021 - This year Peggy Baker, one of the most influential dancers and choreographers of her generation, celebrates 50 years of performing and creating extraordinary dance in Canada and around the world. Ms. Baker will present a new major production in the fall of 2022 and will then wind down her company, Peggy Baker Dance Projects, in 2023.

After arriving in Toronto in 1971 from Edmonton, Ms. Baker had her first professional contract with Toronto Dance Theatre (1973); was one of 5 founding members- and later co-Director- of Dancemakers (1974-1980); and moved to New York City where she danced with Lar Lubovitch followed by the White Oak Dance Project led by Mark Morris and Mikhail Baryshnikov. She returned to Canada in 1990 to launch her own company, Peggy Baker Solo Dance which became Peggy Baker Dance Projects in 1996. For over thirty years, her company has built a varied repertoire of solo and ensemble work created by Ms. Baker and commissioned from outstanding choreographers including Molissa Fenley, Paul-André Fortier, James Kudelka, Tere O’Connor, and Doug Varone.

“It is with a profound sense of gratitude to the Canadian dance milieu, and to the Toronto community in particular, that I move toward the closure of the organization that has supported my artistic development over the past three decades. My creative life has been nurtured by my teachers, by the superb choreographers in whose work I performed, and by my extraordinary colleagues and collaborators. Every artistic encounter was a privilege.

I could not have proceeded in my professional life without the generosity of Canada’s National Ballet School & without the magnificent individuals who have managed Peggy Baker Dance Projects, served on the board, and rallied around us to make the financial contributions that allowed us to move forward. I am indebted to the presenters who have brought my work into the public sphere, and to the audiences who have supported us by witnessing our offerings.

I have enjoyed a deeply fulfilling career. At this pivotal moment, I believe that the most significant action I can take is to free up space and resources. I want to contribute to an environment in which artists who have been historically marginalized can thrive. I have always framed my work in dance within the context of community, and I see the wind down and closure of my company as the very best way for me to support the vitality and evolution of the art form and community I believe in so ferociously.” – Peggy Baker

A note from Peggy, September 7, 2023 -

I am so pleased to announce that the Peggy Baker Dance Projects’ digital archive, the Creation Catalogue is now live! Over two years in the making, it is a comprehensive record of the company’s 30+ years of work. I invite you to visit the site and enjoy exploring the interconnected content! My thanks to the team who created this vast website – my long-time manager and producer, Meredith Potter, with Carla Smith, Tanvi Vyas, and Li Wang.

As we continue our steady movement toward to the closure of Peggy Baker Dance Projects, all of our actions have centred on finishing well. It is important to us that the completion of the company’s life provide meaningful contributions to the vitality of a dance community in the midst of historic change. It is with the very greatest pleasure that I share the news that we have made legacy gifts of $50,000 each to Native Earth Performing Arts and dance Immersion as we wind up the company.

When I announced in April 2021 that my company would be closing in summer 2023, I wrote “I believe that the most significant action I can take is to free up space and resources. I want to contribute to an environment in which artists who have been historically marginalized can thrive.”

I am thrilled that we have been able to take tangible action in response to my goal: directing significant funds to organizations that inspire and sustain Indigenous dance artists, and dance artists from the African diaspora. 

These gifts to Native Earth and dance Immersion sit alongside our two previously announced legacy projects, of which our small but magnificent PBDP community can all be proud: the newly launched Creation Catalogue; and the Peggy Baker Prize for Performance, which will provide an annual cash prize of $5,000 to a third year student at the Dance Arts Institute of Canada (formerly the School of Toronto Dance Theatre) beginning in 2024.

Additionally, costumes and technical equipment, including 2 touring floors, have been passed on to other dance organizations; and solos from our body of work have been gifted to 25+ dancers, among them: Nicole Rose Bond, Nova Bhattacharya, Vania Dodoo-Beals, Kate Holden, Tanya Howard, Syreeta Hector, Sean Ling, Andrea Nann, David Norsworthy, Jessica Runge, Katherine Semchuk, Derek Souvannavong, and Mateo G. Torres.

I offer my deepest gratitude to all the company’s supporters, fans, and audience members. I feel immensely proud and fulfilled by all that we have accomplished together over the past 33 years. Entering this final stage of my long dance career, I remain an eager member of the Toronto dance community, and look forward to learning and sharing new ways of creating and connecting.

peace and love,
Peggy