Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Kaya Tsurumi is a contemporary dancer and dance filmmaker/choreographer. She has danced for Sidra Bell Dance New York, Ziyian Kwan/Odd Meridian Arts, Dance Novella, Shion Skye Carter, among others. In 2024, she was commissioned by F-O-R-M Vancouver to create a dance film, which opened new doors to her choreographic and multidisciplinary practice. Kaya received her formative training from Arts Umbrella, including their Post-Secondary Program, and subsequently continued her dance education at Modus Operandi. In addition, Kaya seeks opportunities to learn from artists around the world. She has attended workshops and intensives with EDAM, Company 605 (Vancouver), Gallim Dance (New York), FACT/SF (San Francisco), L’École Supérieure de Ballet du Québec (Montreal), and Tanz Company Gervasi (Italy). She is eager to connect with Japan’s dance community and further explore her Japanese heritage during her time here.