Dyana Sonik-Henderson (she/they)
Dyana Sonik-Henderson was born at home on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Attawandaron peoples. She is a choreographer, educator, and the Executive & Artistic Director of Victoria-based Broken Rhythms Dance Company, as well as the creator of the movement language Rhythmical Contemporary.
A driving force in British Columbia’s dance community, Dyana is currently serving her second year as Guest Artistic Director of Raino Dance, where she oversees artistic programming and the development of the studio’s contemporary training initiatives. In 2026, she also launched the Broken Rhythms Contemporary Training Program (BRCTP), an advanced training initiative designed to support the next generation of contemporary dancers through professional-level mentorship, creation, and performance opportunities.
Dyana is a familiar presence in the local dance community, teaching weekly at Raino Dance, the Canadian College of Performing Arts, Victoria Academy of Ballet and as a sought-after guest instructor at studios, festivals, and intensives across Canada. Her choreography and artistic leadership have earned national recognition, including nine Pick of the Fringe Awards, a nomination for the inaugural ProArt Regional Award, recognition as a finalist for Monday Magazine’s Best Dance Company, the LOLA Project International residency working with Gabi Beier (Berlin, Germany), and the distinction of B.C. Cultural Ambassador in recognition of her artistic excellence and commitment to community engagement.
Her choreographic work has been commissioned by local and national companies, and she has received support from the Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, and the Capital Regional District (CRD). She has been invited to lecture at universities on creativity, choreography, movement research, and gender performance. Her productions have toured extensively throughout British Columbia and have been presented nationally in Halifax, Toronto, Calgary, and Edmonton.
Dyana’s artistic practice has been shaped through study and performance opportunities with institutions including Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (London, England), Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (Calgary), and One Immigrant Productions (Toronto). Her work has been featured in Dance Current Magazine and Boulevard Magazine, while Broken Rhythms touring productions have been recognized by the Toronto Star as among the city’s “can’t miss” performances.
Committed to innovation, collaboration, and accessibility, Dyana continues to create multidisciplinary contemporary work while fostering meaningful artistic opportunities for emerging dancers and established professionals alike. She recently completed a Master’s degree in Sociology at the University of Victoria, where her research explored movement and the body through the intersecting lenses of gender, race, history, and ballet/contemporary dance.
Broken Rhythms 