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Miss Coco Murray

@misscocomurray

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Award-winning Dance Artist-Scholar 🇨🇦
Cultural Arts Leader, Educator, Programmer
Stiltdancer: @cocomokojumbie
Artistic Director:@cococollectiveto

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

It's here! The Dance Studies Association- Conversations Across the Field of Dance Studies, Volume 44.

"This issue, titled The Caribbean as a Pole of the African Diaspora, centers Ayiti (Haiti) as a locus for rethinking the entangled genealogies of African and Caribbean rhythms, dances, spiritualities, and identities." Thank you to Dr. Anusha Singh (Editor-In Chief) and the DSA Editorial Board.

My new article "Un loc de riddims in meh body for liberation" is a reflection on my research-creation in the @blackandfree_ project. This work unfolds a vulnerable and entangled journey of unpacking my identity, creative expression and freedom through lived experiences in Caribbean and African dance practices.

A special gratitude for the efforts of the Guest Editors, Dr. Emilie Jabouin and Karla Etienne. Shout out to PhD candidate, Myrtle Henry Sodhi for her design of the cover image. ✨️ Representing Afrodescendant artists in 🇨🇦 ✨️

Visit the link in my bio to read. The volume is open access and a first-of-its-kind volume publication to appear in English, Spanish and French. Glad to be part of a powerful publication. Congratulations to all the contributors 👏🏿

Let me know your thoughts..

#CaribbeanStudies
#Africandiaspora
#citeaSista
#DanceStudies by @misscocomurray

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10 months ago

A full circle moment...
Keynote speaker, Professor Nyama McCarthy-Brown speaking about dance educators as change agents at the @ndeodance conference and to be on her slideshow presentation acknowledged as one of those change agents... 👀

When I wrote my master's research, I was intersecting ideas of injustice with cultural arts in an Education department. Her very first book resonated with me. I felt seen and heard because of teaching dance in a diverse world. My publication, "Educating from Difference" came from my work, my community, but influenced by Black scholarship such as hers.

Thank you, Denver, Colorado... I am reminded that you never know where the journey takes you and the alignment that takes place. A welcomed boost to motivate my doctoral research journey.

#NDEO
#danceeducation
#dinner
#NDEOnationalawards
#keynote
#internationalrecognition
#changeagent
#PhDloading taken in Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center by @misscocomurray

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3 years ago

With deep gratitude, I am speechless. I am crying....🙏🏽 My respected and talented long-time friend @adrianhayles created a painting about me (gasp)🫢. What a blessed surprise and beautiful post ...and song choice of Calypso Queen by Calypso Rose.

African Emancipation Month 2025

No one has ever done anything like this. I have no words 🙌🏾

#Repost @adrianhayles with @let.repost
• • • • • •
Emancipation Art Exhibition @worth_gallery

August 1st-10th
Coco
Oil on Canvas 24”x30” 5,600

The painting is inspired by my friend Miss Coco Murray. Coco is a renowned dancer artist-scholar, educator, stilt artist, cultural arts programmer and advocate whom I have known since college. She truly lives through her art and that is the inspiration behind this painting that I have created in honour of her dedication to her craft. This oil painting is a new venture for as I have been honing my skills in oil painting. On Friday August 8th from 6pm to 8pm Coco will be performing and educating us on her advection for diasporic dance styles. Afterward, there will be a casual artist talk. I look forward sharing my creative journey learning to paint in oils using the Zorn pallet, glazing, layering and grisaille techniques.

Thank you to: @start_streetartoronto @msjennifer.lee @nickyyoungphoto @pokitoe @_wuliyah_ @digitaldaph

#visualarts #oilpainting #dance #AfricanDiaspora #grateful #artists #dancing #Emancipation taken in Worth Gallery by @misscocomurray

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a year ago

Connecting and creating in this two-week dance residency with @toesfordance. Sitting with the questions, the reframing, clarifying and the articulated artistic choices are all part of the amazing journey.

I have the pleasure to take part in a collaboration with Olga Barrios @olgaluarts and challenge myself in this process.

What does Intercultural Collaboration entail?

Find out how the process and practice has been for us and witness the offering, this Saturday, September 26.

Lee Lifeson Art Park
North York, Ontario

Grateful for the support of the entire TOES for DANCE team, our creative minds and bodies and the outside eyes of @sasharzarif and @angieokcheng 🙏🏽🙌🏾

#dance #residency #stilts by @misscocomurray

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22 days ago

✨FREE INTERCULTURAL DANCE CLASSES & PERFORMANCES✨
Read on to learn more about our Saturday September 26 offerings for Common Ground Dance Days.

📅 September 25-26, 2026
📍 Lee Lifeson Art Park, North York
🎉RSVP to receive weather updates and a chance to win prizes
🔗 Link in bio for more info

Presented in partnership with Flight Festival of Contemporary Dance and North York Arts. Made possible with funding from the City of Toronto, Toronto Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Government of Canada. We gratefully acknowledge additional support from Toronto Arts Foundation/Arts in the Parks, Willowdale Central Ratepayers Association, TO Live, and Empress Orthodontics.

11:30am-12:30pm - Beginner Dance Class: Afro-Diasporic Rhythms with Collette ‘Coco’ Murray
Use your body to experience movement isolations, patterns, and embodied polyrhythms. This class will explore neo-traditional and Caribbean social dance set to music from Afro-diasporic cultures. It’s open to everyone regardless of your level of dance experience. Join in!

A part of Common Ground Dance Days
📅 September 25-26, 2026
📍 Lee Lifeson Art Park, North York
🎉RSVP to receive weather updates and a chance to win prizes
🔗 Link in bio for more info

12:30-1:30pm - Beginner Dance Class: Colombian Blend with Olga Barrios
This intro-level class combines Latin roots with funky, contemporary styles. It brings together movements inspired by traditional Colombian dances such as cumbia, bullerengue, and Afro-Caribbean movement, along with popular styles such as salsa and merengue, creating a contemporary fusion. The class focuses on exploring the torso and hips, encouraging participants to connect these areas with movement throughout the rest of the body. Come explore, move, and enjoy this Colombian blend!

A part of Common Ground Dance Days
📅 September 25-26, 2026
📍 Lee Lifeson Art Park, North York
🎉RSVP to receive weather updates and a chance to win prizes
🔗 Link in bio for more info

2:00-2:30pm - Bimaadiziwin Learning Walk with Charlene Grandmaison and Gorge Michael Carpenter
A 30-minute “learning walk” on the land of Lee Lifeson Art Park and over the buried waterways beneath. Guided by t taken in Lee Lifeson Art Park by @misscocomurray

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24 days ago

Next Saturday Sept 23, we will be sharing this creation collaboration between Olga Barrios and @misscocomurray at Common Ground Dance Days!! ✨️✨️

Presented by Toes for Dance, Flight Festival, and North York Arts.

Free event at Lee Lifeson Art Park, North York, Toronto.

It will be a day of activities with open workshops by both artists, performances and talks about the works.

More info at @toesfordance

We hope to see you there!!!🌱✨️

Photos by Shannon Widdiis taken in Toronto, Canada by @misscocomurray

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a month ago

✨Next artist feature: Miss Coco Murray

We are so lucky to have @misscocomurray with us for a lecture presentations and a workshop on Sunday!

*CORRECTION: Moko Masquerade is a movement workshop, not a lecture presentation*

📌Check out our full CNSS program on our website for more exciting things coming up! Link in bio🔗 by @misscocomurray

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a month ago

Congratulations to the inaugural Arts Fellows! It was a pleasure and ongoing responsibility to invest in another generation of arts workers and administrators.

A great evening at @uarrcanada Graduation event to hear about their projects and partnerships made within the arts sector✨️

How do we envision or our world in 2037? A great keynote by Dr.@syrusmarcus

I was contacted to mentor for one of the fellows in the cohort who connected with a dance organization and on a pathway in arts finance and management.

I shared a mentor testimonial and spoke to the graduating group about building relationships with mentors.

Lovely to connect with Jada, another Art Fellow.

Joining me for the evening was @feedaisy and @nicoleinicahamilton.

#arts #weknowwhatweneed #createchange #mentor by @misscocomurray

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2 months ago

Energy...

Collection: Ìtàn
Designer: Qweenfecy @qweenfecyclothings
@africanfashionweek High Designer Showcase 2026
Model: @misscocomurray aka @cocomokojumbie

Sankofa Fest 2026 at @sankofasquare

Gratitude for these behind the scenes images by @kirosimages

#Stilts #dance
#Fashion
#masquerade
#afwt2026 by @misscocomurray

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2 months ago

SANKOFA FEST 2026
HIGH FASHION Designer Showcase in Toronto, Canada

Ìtàn is a powerful collection with a narrative.
Designer: @qweenfecyclothings
Model/Dancer: @misscocomurray aka @cocomokojumbie
Model: Chizzy

Music: Fuji Vibe
Song: @asakeofficlal
Disclaimer: This is copyrighted music and I did not intend to infringe copyright by sharing

An invitation to represent an influence of African masquerade on the @africanfashionweek runway. My story is about foresight and protection from the ancestral realm. As a performing artist, Miss Coco reflects on the symbolism of Sankofa by taking stiltdance traditions to spaces that are least expected.

Sankofa is a profound concept from the Akan people of Ghana that translates to "go back and get it." Its deeper meaning teaches that you must understand and honor your past to build a successful future. Looking backward is to gain wisdom to navigate your present circumstances.

#womanonstilts #mokojumbie #fashion #masquerade by @misscocomurray

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2 months ago

Starting Emancipation Month 2026 as @duskdances workshop leader, offering free dance sessions (daily).

A joyful experience sharing African and Caribbean dance practices dancing alongside many participants. Calypso, Soca and live drumming in Withrow Park. Let's connect again.....

All ages, adaptable and accessible!!

Come and enjoy the longest running outdoor dance series in Toronto! 32 years!!

Great curation of site-specific pieces from choreographers and dance companies

Hosted by Hollywood Jade

#dance #danceeducator #DuskDances by @misscocomurray

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2 months ago

The dance , music and visual arts sector has not experienced THIS kind of activation from the Caribbean diaspora. Come and jump up with us at the Distillery District!!

Final shows: 5:30pm and 7:30pm TODAY

Tickets available at www.techajump.com

@tech_a_jump

This is not a traditional stage show, nor is it a passive immersive exhibit. It is a hosted, interactive celebration of Carnival culture that everyone can enjoy.

Did you come yesterday? Leave your thoughts below. by @misscocomurray

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3 months ago