Hoop Dancing with Arik Pipestem Sharing Learning Innovating
Learn the Art of Hoop Dancing with Arik Pipestem
This fall, The Chimera Project invites you to experience the power, discipline, and beauty of Indigenous Hoop Dance through The Legacy Project with accomplished dance artist Arik Pipestem.
Hoop Dance blends precision, rhythm, and storytelling. Each performance is unique—some mimic animals, others portray cycles of planting, hunting, or transformation. Through intricate sequences, hoops interlock and extend from the dancer’s body, forming powerful images like wings, tails, or universal symbols.
5 Days of Intensity
📍 Location: Toronto, Ontario
📅 Dates: November 10- 14, 2025
📍 Location: Calgary, Alberta
📅 Dates: November 17-21, 2025
Open Workshops (10 AM – 12 PM)
Open to all movers – no experience necessary!
Learn hoop dance technique, momentum and weaving, choreography, and improvisation in a supportive, dynamic environment.
Fee: $150 per week or $30 for drop in
Mentorship Program (10 AM – 12PM ) + (1 – 5 PM)
A unique paid opportunity by application for dancers seeking deeper engagement. Mentees receive:
- One-on-one mentorship with Arik and company artists
- Training in company repertoire
- Creative exploration and choreography time
- An honorarium for the two-week program to participate of $1000.00 CDN / week.
What You’ll Learn
- Physics and artistry of hoop movement fundamental learning (for beginners)
- Dynamic skills and tips for experienced hoop dancing practitioners.
- Proper protocols and cultural care
- How to build, repair, and maintain hoops
- A choreographed hoop dance and tools for improvisation
All materials will be provided, and content will be adjusted to match the skill level of participants.
Arik Pipestem
A proud member of the Tsuut’ina Nation, Arik Pipestem is an internationally acclaimed hoop dancer, choreographer, and performer. His career spans collaborations with Cirque du Soleil, So You Think You Can Dance, Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, and The Chimera Project. Arik fuses traditional powwow styles with contemporary and hip-hop influences, bringing fresh imagination to an ancient form. Since 2014, he has been a vital collaborator with Chimera, sharing his artistry and cultural knowledge across stages and communities worldwide. With Chimera, he has been part of Bears Stars and Trees, Trickster’s Romeo and Juliet, and Silly Billy, all of which have been toured throughout Canada.