Meet Saskia Raparanta: The Toronto-Born Movement Specialist Making Her Mark

Saskia Raparanta is a movement specialist born and raised in Toronto. She has pursued her craft as a professional dancer since 2016. In 2015, she graduated from Mayfield Secondary School with a major in dance. She competitively danced for seven years with Performing Dance Arts, one year with O.I.P Dance Company and Karpov Ballet Academy and three years at Vlads Dance Company. During her 11 years of training she participated in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, acro and more, and has also trained with American based companies such as Motus The Company and Shay Program. Saskia has worked with choreographers including Tanisha Scott, Mark Samuels, Christopher Scott and Dondraico Johnson. 

Saskia’s Film and Television experiences include Trap, Sneakerella, Zombies 1, 2 & 3 and Grand Army. She’s danced for artists such as Kid Cudi, Russ, Roy Woods, Belly, Killy and more. She has also performed live at the FIFA World Cup Open Ceremony, Sony Music N.E.R.D Album Release, and National Bank Open Tennis Tournament. 

Saskia brings a deep passion for dance and consistently makes a meaningful contribution to every team and project she is part of. She is hardworking, dedicated to her craft, and driven by the belief that growth never stops.

How did your dance journey originally begin?

My dance journey began at the age of three, training in ballet and jazz. By eight, I was competing and continued to do so through eighteen, building a strong foundation in technique, discipline, and performance.

While those years shaped me as a dancer, I consider the start of my professional career to be right after high school. Recognizing my passion and commitment to dance, my parents supported my decision to take a gap year and focus entirely on pursuing opportunities in the industry.

During that year, I booked my first job with Disney, which became a pivotal moment in my career. That opportunity opened many doors, leading to work with companies including Disney, Warner Bros., and Netflix, as well as music videos and live performances. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to continue building a career doing what I love.

How did you navigate a professional dance career in Toronto?

I navigated much of my professional dance career in Toronto through consistency, discipline, and a commitment to growth. I immersed myself in the dance community by training regularly and taking every opportunity to learn from visiting international choreographers. Being selected for solos in class helped build both my confidence and visibility as a dancer.

One of my early goals was securing agency representation, and I was fortunate to sign with DaCosta Talent. Alongside training and auditions, I focused on networking and forming genuine relationships within the industry through attending events, workshops, and community gatherings.

I believe that professionalism goes beyond talent and technical ability. Success in this industry is equally shaped by character, work ethic, and how you treat others along the way.

Can you describe some of your top career highlights in Toronto?

Some of my biggest career highlights include working on Trap, a Warner Bros. Discovery production. I had the opportunity to work closely with M. Night Shyamalan and was selected as one of 12 dancers from more than 100 auditionees. The project also allowed me to collaborate with artists such as Saleka, Russ, and Kid Cudi. After nearly a decade in the industry, the experience felt like a full-circle moment and a reflection of my growth as a performer.

Another career highlight was being part of Disney’s Zombies franchise, including Zombies 1, 2, and 3 as well as Zombies 3: Skeleton Crew. I had the privilege of working with renowned choreographers including Dondraico Johnson and Christopher Scott. Being involved in such a successful franchise, especially while filming in Toronto, was an incredibly rewarding experience.

A third highlight was performing in Mumble Rap by Belly, choreographed by Tanisha Scott and directed by Director X. Collaborating with two highly respected figures in the Toronto creative community was an honour, and seeing the project reach millions of viewers made the experience even more meaningful.

What are you most excited for in the near future?

What excites me most about the next chapter of my dance career is establishing myself in Los Angeles, where I’ve secured a weekly teaching slot at the renowned Millennium Dance Complex. This move represents an exciting step forward, and I’m eager to embrace the opportunities, growth, and experiences that come with it.

I’m also looking forward to expanding my career beyond Toronto, continuing to grow as both an artist and educator, and immersing myself in new creative environments. The opportunity to connect with new talent, build meaningful industry relationships, and challenge myself in a new city is incredibly motivating. 

Photography Credit: Aidan Tooth, Kyle Boham, Amanda Lee Coffey