‘Magical experience’: Montreal Steppers inspire through workshops

Smiles filled the Mackay Centre and Philip E. Layton School’s gymnasium in NDG during the stomps, claps, and chants of the Montreal Steppers. The school, services students with developmental, audio, or visual conditions.

“It’s really amazing,” said Nicholas Gagne, one of many students who participated in Monday’s workshop. “I really enjoyed it.”

“Something different I never heard of.”

“It was really exciting,” added Gagne. “They were doing absolutely awesome.”

The Montreal Steppers‘ “One Day In-School Performances” program is new for this academic year, with seven schools taking part. It was introduced by the English Language Arts Network’s ArtistsInspire grant.

Their visit, a way for the school to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination observed on March 21st.

“Every workshop is different,” said Natasha Clery, a Montreal Steppers team member. “Because every environment is different.”

“This environment was so welcoming,” she added. “The students were so enthusiastic.”

Created in 2019 by a collective of friends, the Montreal Steppers have transformed into a non-profit.

Using step as a steppingstone to further awareness around the importance of Black art, Black lives, and Black history in Canada.

When they step into a school for a workshop, the children will learn the art form and its history tied to African slavery while setting in motion conversation –-where students can ask anything they want.

“There’s many people that came before us,” said Kayin Queeley, founder & director of the Montreal Steppers. “That started this art form and when they started it it was in resistance to what was done to them.”

“The drums were taken away, it was more than an instrument for our ancestors,” he added. “It was a return to the body to say look were gonna create this music.”

“As we saw today,” said Queeley. “What power when we’re all using our bodies, our energies and sounds and rhythms and making that music collectively.”

“It was magic,” added Clery. “It was a magical experience.”

“It was a magical performance.”

“They did amazing,” said student, Angelika Phillip. “Figured out the way for everybody to join and in a way although, students may be blind or in a chair.”

“It was fantastic,” added Carolina Puynung Choy, Spiritual Animator from the English Montreal School Board. “They’re a phenomenal group and the students were mesmerized.”

The group has about 20 members, and since its creation has offered over 500 workshops to about 15,000 students.

“The energy, the love, the welcoming in here, it’s such a wonderful space to be in,” explained Shaina Thornhill, Montreal Steppers team member. “I’m inspired.”

“It was really fun to dance with them today,” added Gagne. “Really enjoyed it.”