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If you could share the exhilaration, passion, and honesty of a moment in your life with the rest of the world, how would you do it? Would the power of those moments propel you towards not just sharing that moment but using it to bring awareness to a greater cause? It’s the only way that can describe the motivation and inspirational journey of State of Mind, presented by Conteur.

On November 19th and 20th, choreographer and founder of Conteur, Eryn Waltman, along with some of Canada’s finest contemporary dancers, graced the stage at the St. Michael’s Centre for the Arts in Toronto to put on a performance raising money and awareness for children’s neurological disorders. State of Mind was created in partnership with Three To Be— an organization working with The Hospital for Sick Children and the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, to support research and the further development of treatments and therapies for children with neurological disorders.

BLACK CLOTHING, from left to right:
Bianca Melchior, Scott MacDonald, Mia Dilena, Alisha Lucchese, Marc Cardarelli, Caroline Torti, Marilynn Garcea, Daniel Bernardo, Falyn Waltman, Akira Uchida, Moses Layco (below), Kelly Shaw, Justin Lopes
Missing: Jenna Tabachnick, Melissa Mitro

For years now Eryn had the idea of State of Mind but says it was only a matter of time until she created it. After years of establishing herself in the industry, she felt like it was about time to show the world what she loves to do. “Considering my whole life is based around movement, I’m thankful for all the dancers in the show. It was just important to take a step back and dance for others.”

Considering the lack of research within children’s neurological disorders, Eryn explains the importance of the money being raised for the cause. “It’s having the ability now to help kids all around the world, let alone in Toronto. But I think everything aligns itself in certain times in our lives for a reason and so, I have to believe that Three to Be began at the proper time to help these children in need. I think they have such a great future ahead of them and this will affect kids suffering similar disorders worldwide. Dan and Jared, the co-founders, are such great people and I’m so lucky to be able to help them in any way I can.”

In its inaugural show, State of Mind was also pleased to have Rob James, international singer and songwriter, perform as part of the show. Speaking to Eryn just before her big production debut, she delights over James.

“He’s so wonderful! He was in rehearsal this morning and I think I was tearing because you have him on your CD and then you have him come alive, and it’s unbelievable! He’s such a wonderful man and working with him has been an absolute pleasure. He’s so talented, and been involved since Day 1. I couldn’t have asked for someone better to work with.”

Also in its own spotlight, Eryn’s company is sharing the date of its inaugural year. “I’ve pretty much waited for this moment my entire life,” she laughs. “I’ve known since I was a younger kid that this is what I’m going to do. It just feels like the perfect beginning for Conteur and I hope that this will be the first of many. State of Mind is just the first production of many that will hopefully align itself with different foundations, and Three To Be again. It’s a big thing for me to be able to support and give back to the community and help others with my work.”

A repertoire of contemporary pieces that explore different influences affecting our personality and behavior, State of Mind surrounds itself with brilliant dancers, cast members and production crew.
“I often find myself blinking my eyes and I can’t believe the group that I have. They have such amazing work ethic and passion which is so important. They’re just so inspiring to be around and they’ve been the ones to push me constantly in the creative process of the production. I feel so lucky to have them.”

She adds that they’re also 100% a source of inspiration for her, feeding her creativity and imagination, helping to push and evolve State of Mind to more than a performance, but an experience.

Hoping that the audience took away the world wind of emotions and the understanding that we are all connected to these states of mind in our lifetime, Eryn says guests can make their own interpretation to the show with connections they themselves feel during the performance. Guests can take heart in knowing that at the end of the day, the show is helping children with Cerebral Palsy to Epilepsy to Autism.

And what’s coming up for Eryn this year? “Right now I’m focusing on State of Mind and hoping to tour with it, hopefully across Canada in the new year. Conteur also has an academy for post-secondary institution for dance training, so I’ll be working on that.”

To add to the madness? Eryn’s tying the knot next September to a very lucky Andrew Spergel. “Yeah! I’m getting married! I have to plan a wedding now! My life is so crazy!”

Just to end things off, I asked Eryn if she could only dance to one song for the rest of her life, what would it be. “Oh my god, that’s the hardest question you could ask any dancer or choreographer!” She laughs. “I’m so inspired by so many different musicians and their style of music. I guess if I had to choose one right now in my life, it would be one of the pieces by Damien Rice. It’d be like a dream to meet him and collaborate with him. I think I’m one of the only people to ever choreograph to pretty much everything he’s ever written.”

And if she could dance with anybody she wanted? The most obvious choice of course. “It’s very corny but it goes in hand with the fact that I’m getting married. It would be with him [Andrew], the person I love. For the reason that dance has always been about my passion and life and it’s been inspired by the people in my life, so at the end of the day, it would be my financé. It would be a simple dance, not in any particular style, not to a particular song. It would just be something simple and it would be about the feeling and the love.”

Eryn’s life and morales mirrors that of which we should all focus on in our own lives: do what you do passionately, give what you can to your community, and never stop experiencing the world.

Congratulations to Three To Be, Conteur, Rob James, all the cast and crew of the production of State of Mind, and to the leader of it all, Eryn Waltman, for an amazing performance that was surely an experience for all. We can’t wait to see what’s in store next year!

WHITE CLOTHING, from left to right:
Bianca Melchior, Alisha Lucchese, Kelly Shaw, Daniel Bernardo, Caroline Torti, Mia Dilena, Justin Lopes, Eryn Waltman, Marilynn Garcea, Marc Cardarelli, Falyn Waltman, Moses Layco, Jenna Tabachnick, Akira Uchida
Missing: Scott MacDonald, Melissa Mitro