Cynthia Croker

Cynthia grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota studying all forms of dance ranging from ballet, jazz, modern and contemporary, to tap dancing on dinner plates!  She trained professionally in voice, flute and gymnastics and has performed in many musical theatre productions. 

After studying vocal education at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota she came to Canada and joined the staff of the Academy of Performing Arts School (Cambridge, Ontario) where she taught master classes in jazz dance, voice and flute and directed numerous productions internationally. While at the Academy she had extensive training in Contact Improvisation and physical theatre.

In 1990 Cynthia, along with her husband James Croker and their friend and colleague Jack Langenhuizen moved to York Region and joined forces as the co-founders of MOTUS O dance theatre. Their unique and popular productions have been enjoyed by audiences across Canada. She has created over 60 original works for the company and tours with them throughout England, the U.S.A. and Canada.  

Cynthia is an artist in residence with the Banff Centre, located in Banff Alberta in their Leadership Development Program. As well as being an artist with the Artist in Residence program; a partnership with the Ontario Arts Council and the York Region District School Board. Cynthia partners with teachers to help them guide their students to use dance as a creative voice to express their ideas about their perspective on society.  She teaches movement with various social service organizations including individuals with Parkinson’s, Cerebral Palsy, Hospice, Autism and Aphasia, 

Cynthia believes dance fosters health and wellness of body, mind, soul and spirit.  It is this transformative understanding of dance that drives all of her teaching techniques.  She is looking forward to sharing her passion for dance with the students of the York Dance Academy.