ABOUT PDC
Painted Dance Collective was founded by Hazel Sparling in 2019 in an effort to provide more education, training, creation, and performance opportunities for local aspiring, emerging, and established dance artists in Sydney, Unama’ki/Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Since then, Painted has hosted over 5 shows and showcases, produced 2 video projects, participated in multiple arts festivals, and performed countless times in the community. We have brought in over 25 different teachers and choreographers from across Canada to teach, inspire, and set work on our local dancers in various places of their careers.
Today in 2025, Painted operates as a competitive and recreational dance studio and company providing high quality technical training in contemporary, jazz, ballet, hip hop, and acrobatics, creative development programs for aspiring dancers, and choreography and performance opportunities for all ages. Blending the worlds of competitive dance and recreational dance is something we are passionate about as we work to grow the amateur and professional dance opportunities available on our Island.
OUR VALUES
Painted aims to foster an inclusive and passionate environment that recognizes and celebrates all types of dancers, bodies, abilities, and expressions. We value a well rounded and dynamic dance education that includes:
strong technical foundations in various styles
learning from diverse teachers and choreographers
an understanding of anatomy both generally and individually
supporting dancers in finding their artistry and unique style through improvisation, composition, and other creative techniques
Everything we do at Painted is rooted in a genuine love for dance and we are committed to ensuring that shines in all of our work.
Hazel was chosen as the 2023 Vital Entrepreneur Excellence Award Winner at The Unama’ki Cape Breton Vital Awards!
