Amplifying Marginalized Voices: Pride Performance

I am thrilled to announce that I will be performing at the Pride Toronto Black Queer Collective Stage. My name is Azaria Stephenson and I am a rising star in the world of music, blending elements of R&B, Pop, and Hip Hop with influences from my Jamaican background to create a sound that is truly unique. My versatile artistry sets me apart from the crowd, making me a standout performer and a force to be reckoned with.

One of the driving forces behind my music is my passion for induvidual's empowerment. My music speaks to my personal journey to discover the different dimensions of my womanhood and the human journey, and I use my platform to passionately advocate for women's autonomy and address the challenges they face on a daily basis. I tackle important topics like sexual assault, healing, dating, love, generational trauma, sexuality, mental health, and more, always with an unflinching honesty and authenticity.

However, as a black queer artist, I am currently facing some challenges with securing the funds I need to perform at the upcoming Pride event. It is important to me to invest in my community and showcase the talents of those who are often marginalized in the performing arts industry. That's why I am reaching out to you today to request your support in identifying any resources or funding opportunities that may be available to help me cover the costs of my performance.

I have a talented group of black queer dancers and a dedicated choreographer who have been working hard to prepare for this event, and I want to ensure that we are able to showcase our best work. This is a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together and support independent artists like myself while celebrating the rich and diverse culture of Toronto's LGBTQIA2S+ community.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope you will consider supporting me in any way you can.

Learn More About Me: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFikTPmLrA/o5trPSeZIXOHMjch0XJ6sQ/view?utm_content=DAFikTPmLrA&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=homepage_design_menu)" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Azaria's Deck I https://msha.ke/azariaartistry

https://youtu.be/de9m-VrNtVs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RAW Artist Performance - Previous work of Steph's choreography with Azaria

The Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0vsiUkG2QAMUAA20gyfTLv

The Artist: Who is Azaria?

Azaria Stephenson is a rising star in the world of music, blending elements of R&B, Pop, and Hip Hop with influences from her Jamaican background to create a sound that is truly unique. Her versatile artistry sets her apart from the crowd, making her a standout performer and a force to be reckoned with.

One of the driving forces behind Azaria's music is her passion for women's empowerment. Her music speaks to her personal journey to discover the different dimensions of her womanhood, and she uses her platform to passionately advocate for women's autonomy and address the challenges they face on a daily basis. She tackles important topics like sexual assault, healing, dating, love, generational trauma, sexuality, mental health, and more, always with an unflinching honesty and authenticity.

Azaria practices what she preaches by building relationships and collaborating with other female & LGBTQIAS+ artists, lifting each other up and creating a supportive community in the industry. Her hard work and dedication have earned her a growing fanbase and many opportunities to take the stage, where she never hesitates to give her full energy and put on an unforgettable performance.

With the release of her first single in January 2019, Azaria has already made a name for herself as an artist to watch. Her music is more than just entertainment; it's a powerful statement about the world we live in and a call to action for positive change. We can't wait to see where Azaria's talent and passion take her next.

Azaria Stephenson is not only a rising music star, but also a dance instructor and empowerment guide. Her passion project, "Sacral Seduction", is an inspiring space that focuses on helping individuals unlock their confidence and become their best selves through spiritual, healing, and confidence-building practices. Azaria's work with "Sacral Seduction" has earned her collaborations with leading brands like lululemon, insomnia, the fifth dance, and OBJX Studio, and she is dedicated to creating an inclusive community where everyone can feel supported and empowered.

Azaria's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azaria.artistry/

The Choreographer: Who is Steph Margaret?

Stephanie (Margaret) Brinning grew up training technically since the age of 3 in styles such as jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, etc. She danced competitively and recreationally at Hoofers Performing Arts in her hometown of Oshawa, Ontario, as well as travelling to take drop in classes in the city of Toronto. After Graduating high school, Stephanie attended and graduated Commercial Dance Studies at George Brown College in 2012, and began her professional dance journey. In 2013 she became cheerleader for the Toronto Argos Cheer Team where she performed in the Rogers Center (now Scotiabank Arena) field for a crowd of 20,000 people for 3 seasons in a row. While on the cheer team, she danced for artists such as Karl Wolfe, Karndinal Official, Hedley and many more. She also had the opportunity to dance on Breakfast Television, multiple Grey Cup halftime performances, as well as choreograph for the Jr Cheer Squad. In 2016, Stephanie decided to hang up her pom poms and explore a different side of the dance industry.

Her love for being a part of a team environment and surrounded by empowered women with the same outlook on dance as her has guided her to where she is today in the heels dance style & genre. Through her heels training, Stephanie joined Hot in Heels Canada (runned by Angela Mahoney Jones) and eventually became a company assistant. Stephanie continued to assist Angela whilst also training with other choreographers such as Leah Totten (Owner of Boss Dance Company), Hollywood Jade (choreographer/artistic director, creator of Urbanesque), Guila Tripoli (E3 Agency, Tripoli Studios), and more. Working with these choreographers has lead her to opportunities to dance for more musical artists including Bad Bunny, Dani Leigh, Omi and more. While her experience, style and technique was developing, Stephanie grew more passionate for not only dancing heels, but also teaching and the creation process. Since 2018 Stephanie has taught at Toronto’s most successful dance studios such as Millennium Dance Complex Toronto, City Dance Corps, Studio North Toronto, The Underground Dance Centre, City Centre Dance, Dance Life X, MVP Dance Co., and Co.Lab Studios. Through teaching drop in classes and various programs at all of the above studios, Stephanie continues her journey in the choreography direction as well. In 2022 alone her work has graced the stage at performances such as Fever After Dark, Raw Artist Showcase and various Studio Program Showcases.

Presently, her passion lies in teaching and pushing the artistic boundaries of the concept of dancing in heels. She values safety and empowerment first above all, as well as creating a space for her students to push themselves technically and artistically. Stephanie teaches her own classes in the city of Toronto, runs her own programs and owns her own professional heels company - The Sole Her Experience (SHE). Her goal as a teacher is to push the boundaries of what dancers can do in a heel, as well as bring to light the foundations of where dance comes from originally. Stephanie continues to spread the message that if you set your mind to it, work hard and take special time and care for self, you can accomplish anything in a heel.

Steph's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steph_margaret/

The Performance Concept

Azaria's upcoming 10 - 15 minute "Pride Performance" is going to be a nod to the iconic era of y2k music with dancehall in fused with her own music. Focusing on the elements of dance, choreography, and performance, Azaria is set to deliver an electrifying show that pays homage to her inspirations like Beyonce, Jay-Z, Spice, Janet Jackson, TLC, and Biggie. For the performance, Azaria is bringing in two black and/or LGBTQIA2S+ skilled dancers and choreographer Steph who she has worked with previously at RAW Artists; to add more depth and excitement to the stage. Working closely with a talented choreographer, Azaria's pride performance is expected to be a vibrant mix of her own style and influences from the golden age of music. The stage is set for a thrilling performance that is not to be missed.