About Us

 YouthPower is a for youth, by youth collective founded by immigrant artist Merey Ismailova in 2010. Its core focus is fostering collaboration between professional artists and immigrant youth from Post-Soviet communities.

The collective brings theatre and dance together to express sincere feelings, tell real stories, and showcase touching characters through original, narrative-driven choreography, prioritizing dance "filled with meaning." YouthPower has consistently prioritized community-engaged arts work, with a specific focus on Post-Soviet immigrant youth in North York, particularly the York University Heights Neighbourhood Improvement Area.

Professional artists of YouthPower have performed at various notable events, including Cabbagetown Festival, Day of Delight, Masala! Mehndi! Masti! Festival at Harbourfront Centre, and the Francophone Festival in Kitchener, among others. They have received numerous accolades, including the RBC Newcomer Artist Award by TAF and the Grown North Award by North York Arts. 

In 2012, we launched our pivotal partnership with the Russian Student Association, formalizing the YouthPower initiative. Since then, we have provided free dance theatre training to over 600 newcomer or low-income youth through regular classes and workshops held in parks and at community festivals. Our participants have learned a variety of dance styles and performed alongside professional artists at numerous community events, such as the Sol Multicultural Festival, University of Toronto Festival of Dance, Russian Arts Showcase, Seneca College International Student Festival, and Evergreen Festival.