VALOUR
“To have strength and courage in hardship, often in times of battle.“
— Oxford dictionary
Personally for us…
Valour means facing life's difficulties with an attitude of strength and courage found from within oneself, with the collective support of a community and with a little faith.
Often times it's the battle of the mind where strength and courage is needed the most.
Valour is a brand that recognises there is strength in admitting weakness or finding the courage to speak up and ask for help.
Battles are not just fought and won on a field physically anymore. They are fought and won in the mind internally.
Our mission:
Through the creative medium of dance, music and videography we hope to firstly raise awareness for mental health, that it exists and that it’s ok to not be ok.
Secondly we want our viewers to engage in conversations, respectfully of course learning more about other people's perspectives, experiences and cultures. Creating an online space where people feel welcome to share and learn.
Thirdly we hope to create a safe space and offer community classes through dance and fitness that supports mental and physical health.
Ultimately it’s a place of hope and empowerment that whatever personal battle you may be facing there is a way to claim victory.
Disclaimer: We are not trained professionals in therapy, please seek help and contact your GP if you feel you are facing an emergency. We speak through our experiences and open a platform for discussion in hopes to provide support for those feeling alone.
About the team.
Catherine Coker.
Born and raised in the small town of Wanganui Catherine developed a love for all things creative and artistic. Often with her head in the clouds, she dreamed up ideas to change the world and create beauty. However, she also developed some negative thoughts that turned into beliefs and this began to rob her of her joy and creative passions. Catherine now realises there’s power to use those talents to create change and share her own and others victories against those negative beliefs. Catherine’s creative influence comes from her grounding in ballet, contemporary, the world around her and the dreams and visions she finds way up in those clouds.
We all have a story to tell, a song to sing or a vision to be told. This is Catherine’s way of expressing and it’s as vital to her as breathing.
Kirsten Ocampo.
Auckland born Kirsten grew up in windy Wellington where she found a passion for dance. Dancing nationally and internationally through many styles like Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical and Hip Hop, her love for dance became a release alongside her personal struggles outside of her profession. Kirsten has battled depression and trauma for many years and is now ready to share her experiences. Confidently believing her purpose is to help and inspire others, communicating through the dance language, her creative juices are geared up to help a hand in need.
Kirsten and Catherine, two friends and dancers who studied at the same academy came up with the idea of Valour over the course of a few weeks of conversations. Usually with alcoholic beverages, fries, and chicken nibbles. Despite the intensity of the topic, they did so with a sense of joy at the shared burning desire to use their creative forces for a little good in the world.
We are the core founders, choreographers, directors, and producers but we just call ourselves women on a mission to creatively articulate a message of hope. Ultimately it’s a place of empowerment, that whatever personal battle you may be facing there is a way to claim victory.