Norma Araiza is a choreographer / performer / instructor originally from Mexico.  She has studied different disciplines within the arts in order to find her own unique style that blends dance, theatre, vocals, percussion, and Tai Chi Chuan with cultural and traditional themes especially from her Mexican Indigenous background.

     Norma has studied with international theatre directors Jerzy Grotowski and Eugenio Barba, Butoh Master Natsu Nakajima, theatre group Tascabile di Bergamo from Italy , Kei Takei from New York, Pol Pelletier from Montreal.

     She has performed extensively as a professional actor and dancer throughout Mexico, California, Toronto, Montreal, and Hungary.  She founded Creando Huecos Company in 1986 and co-founded Tolmec Dance Theatre in 1988 in Mexico City.  While in Mexico, she was an assistant director, choreographer, dance theatre performer, and researcher at the National University of Mexico in the Laboratory of Performing Arts.

     At present, Araiza is Artistic director of Tolmec Dance Theatre, and independent Toronto- based group working with culturally specific themes through the medium of dance theatre.  She has completed he Master's Degree in Dance Ethnology and currently teaches at York University.  She is a member of CADA, Dance Ontario, Dancer Transition Resource Centre, and she is also a member of the Advisory Committee of Ritmo y Color at Harbourfront.

     Araiza has presented her work at Dance Talks, Studio Series (DUO), fFIDA, the Fringe of Toronto, The Fringe of Montreal, the McMichael Gallery, Mixed Arte Mezclado, Harbourfront, The Hart House (U of T), The Theatre Centre, The Music Gallery, and The AGO.  She has collaborated in theatre projects with the Canadian Stage/Hour Company, L &L Productions, Inner Stage Theatre, and DECC Productions, and also in documentaries with CineFocus Canada as a choreographer, performer and consultant.

     Araiza has received grants from the Ontario Arts Council for , Ministry of Culture through the Ontario Quebec Cultural Exchange, and Laidlaw Foundation.