Studios How to Choose the Right Genre, Program
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DANCE \ AUGUST 2014 danceCALGARY’S RESOURCE FOR ALL THINGS DANCE Studios How to choose the right genre, program A dancer’s body Start early to stay healthy Calgary’s dance scene Plenty of opportunity Sean Cheesman Calgary dancer succeeds on the international level Promoted by Showtime Promotions JEUNESSE CLASSIQUE BALLET Umran Sumen Artistic Director 27 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN DANCE, 1987-2014 www.jcbs.ca • [email protected] DANCE \ AUGUST 2014 Cover: Left: Sawyer Nelson, 8, member of danceCALGARY’S RESOURCE FOR ALL THINGS DANCE Evolutions School of Dance, Middle: Taylor Yanke, 11, member of Jeunesse Classique Ballet, and student at Costumes International School of Ballet. A dancer’s body Calgary’s dance scene Photographer: Adrian Shellard, Costumes: Provided Sean Cheesman by MUGE Performance Wear. Alberta dancer succeeds in WHAT’S INSIDE the international market Right: Sean Cheesman, supplied by himself 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 Prevailing Profile: Sean The elements How to pick a Profile: Michael Calgary’s A dancer’s after the flood Cheesman of dance studio, genre Ward dance scene body health Dance was produced by the Calgary Herald’s Special Projects department in collaboration with Showtime Promotions to promote awareness of dance for commercial purposes. The Calgary Herald’s editorial department had no involvement in the creation of this content. Co-ordinator & Designer: Charlene Kolesnik Under the direction of Artistic Director Edmund Stripe, the School of Alberta Ballet is western Canada’s leading The School of Alberta Ballet professional dance school. Delivering THE OFFICIAL TRAINING CENTRE OF ALBERTA BALLET first-rate, superb training, students are equipped with the dance, life and academic skills to launch successful careers. • World-Class Teachers • Open & Professional Divisions • Ballet, Contemporary, Body Conditioning and more • Performance Opportunities with Alberta Ballet Come dance with the best. For more information, visit schoolofalbertaballet.com dance Survival Dance Tech weathers the flood — thanks to strong support from local communities BY: Jacqueline Louie ance can bring a community to- Alison Laycraft, media rep on the Dance gether. That’s what happened for Tech dance council, a parent council with DDance Tech dance studio in High River. the primary focus of supporting competition The studio has come back stronger than ever dancers. from last year’s devastating flood. Dance Tech, which celebrated its “The flood really reshaped the way our 10th anniversary this past June, offers classes in company worked together,” says Dance Tech tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, owner and director Amanda Messner. modern, hip-hop and acro for ages three to “In the demolition and rebuild, so many late teens; as well as adult classes. people showed up to help, it gave us so much “We are really fortunate to have a studio strength. We always considered ourselves the calibre of Dance Tech in High River. a really strong team. The flood brought us There are accredited teachers and they do together and allowed us to become more of a lot of competition,” Laycraft says. a family — it’s been our Dance Tech family.” Coming back from the flood, Dance Tech Located near downtown High River, received a great deal of support from dance Dance Tech’s space was destroyed in the studios and dance-wear stores from Sylvan June 2013 flood. They had to rebuild from Lake to Lethbridge, with donations of dance scratch, and everyone associated with shoes and clothes, as well as money. Dance Tech pitched in. Help also came from Alaine Kowal, the Volunteers worked all last summer and into parent of two Dance Tech students, who Dance Tech owner and director Amanda Messner keeps her sense of humour after last year’s flood disaster. early fall, remediating and drying out the stu- wrote a children’s picture book, The Little dio space. When that was done, new dance Dance Teacher, with illustrations by Longview hits,” Laycraft says of the story. is “a place where they feel safe and secure floors were installed. artist Matts Zoumer. Published by Routes Media in High River, and loved.” “We were really lucky to get back into the All profits from the book will go to dance the book if for sale at Dance Tech, Pixie “Having that restoration was a huge thing for existing Dance Tech space. This year, we’ll families hit hard by the flood so their children Hollow Bookstore in High River, and online at those students and families. It has been awe- be getting mirrors and barres, another step can continue to take part. routesmedia.com (click the store tab). some, having the kids being able to go back to to having a fully functioning studio,” says “It’s all about what you do when a disaster For both students and parents, Dance Tech dance,” says Laycraft. The benefits of dance Youngster says performing boosts her overall confidence BY: Kathleen Renne she was three years old. Her sister Riley, 13, “They’re always moving,” says Adrienne. also dances. “Our mom says, ‘Keep your feet still!’ But iper Fitzgerald, 11, describes in detail “We were looking for something that we can’t sit still, because it’s so fun… We’re the red costume she wore for her jazz would be challenging, something they always tapping our feet,” Piper giggles. Pdance solo earlier this year, with its would find a passion for as they grew up,” While the youngest Fitzgerald admits her multitude of rhinestones and cutouts. says the girls’ mother, Adrienne Fitzgerald. busy dance schedule can make it difficult But her enthusiasm drops when it comes The elder Fitzgerald says having two to squeeze in her homework, she says to the subject of false eyelashes, some- daughters in dance is a significant time dancing helps her at school. thing she says she wears on stage to make commitment, but it’s one she doesn’t “We had to do a presentation in front her eyes “pop.” mind. of the class in Grade 4. I had done a solo “It’s, like, annoying to put them on,” she “When you see how much fun they’re that year, and won a big trophy, and that says, expressing disgust with the glue used having, and you realize what they’re gave me a lot of confidence. I had to do to fasten them to her lash lines. building on, it does seem worth it,” she the presentation and I wasn’t scared,” she Fake lashes notwithstanding, Fitzgerald says. recalls. says dancing makes her “happy inside.” In fact, she says her daughters enter into While the youngster hasn’t decided “I think it just takes my mind off of things a sort of “withdrawal” once classes and upon a career path yet, becoming a if I’m having a fight with my friend or some- competitions wrap for the summer. dance teacher is definitely on the table. thing,” she adds. However, the girls still manage to nurture “She just needs to be a dancer,” says The youngster, who enters Grade 6 in their dancing souls during July and August mom. Piper Fitzgerald, 11, who admits she has trouble September, has been studying dance at by practising acrobatic moves on the “Why would I want to stop if I love it so sitting still, says dancing makes her “happy inside.” Airdrie’s Star Bound Dance Company since trampoline. much?” her daughter chimes in. 4 \ DANCE \ AUGUST 2014 dance Promotion Fostering fun & passion in all things dance Showtime Promotions hether a dream job or passionate hobby, cash awards and encouragement. dance is for people of all ages and abilities, Festivals encompass everything from jazz, hip hop, tap, Wsays Donna Burridge, a director of Showtime lyrical and ballet, to musical theatre, adult categories Promotions, a company based in Kelowna, B.C., that and ethnic dancing including Irish, Scottish and South supports and promotes dancers and the dance Asian. industry in Western Canada. In addition to running dance festivals throughout “It’s healthy. It’s good for mind, heart and soul,” says Western Canada, Showtime Promotions is a strong sup- Burridge, who encourages everyone to participate in porter of dancers in every way, helping them pursue dance. their dreams. In the past 10 years, the company has Dance is “not necessarily about natural ability,” she provided more than $1 million in cash and awards to adds. “It’s a really great outlet emotionally for people dancers in Western Canada. to express themselves through creative movement. It’s Burridge is devoted to promoting dance to a wider also an excellent discipline, especially for young dancers community. To this end, she co-founded the Canadian learning to follow direction and take corrections, and it Performing Arts Foundation, a foundation created to introduces them to music and movement.” support dance and the performing arts in Canada. Dance can be a lifelong activity. In the past, dancers CPAF received $50,000 from Showtime Promotions to typically stopped dancing after high school, unless get it off the ground. they were planning to go on to a professional career. Any donations made to CPAF will go directly to the Now, however, dancers are staying in the studios and dancers, Burridge says. training well into their 60s; and there are dancers in “Anything donated will be passed directly on to their late 80s who are still learning and performing. local dancers to help defray their costs and hopefully Dance is also a good activity for people with devel- providing more training. We need funding and support opmental disabilities who can get involved in every- for Canadian dancers so they can compete in the thing from classes, to performances and competitions. marketplace, both here in Canada and internationally, Promoting dancers is clearly Burridge’s passion.