With four very active dance schools now on the Sunshine Coast, dance has become a major focus for Coast youth. Several of the local schools now offer pre-professional programs, and local dance students often attend and win off-Coast competitions, some with international acclaim. So, what opportunities exist here for dancers wanting to take the next step in their careers after graduating from high school?
The Source Dance Company in Vancouver has had a long connection with Coast dance students by offering an exciting opportunity to perform and tour at a pre-professional level off-Coast. Every year they audition post-secondary age students from across Canada to join their troupe, and several Coast dancers in the past have made the cut.
Because of this close connection, The Source has included Sechelt in its 2018 touring schedule and will return to the Raven’s Cry Theatre on Saturday, April 7 for two special shows. Conversations at the Station is their newest high-energy jazz, modern and hip hop collection of dance vignettes from their year-end touring show featuring over 30 dancers. As well, the program will showcase pieces created and performed by senior dancers from Dominique’s School of Dance and Dance Works Academy in Gibsons, as well as the Coast Academy of Dance in Sechelt, giving our own dancers a chance to shine!
Celebrating its 25th year, the Sunshine Coast Dance Society is presenting The Source show, a fundraiser for the Society and its scholarship program. After costs, the proceeds from ticket sales will go towards annual dance scholarships that dancers can use to further their dance education. For the past 25 years, the Sunshine Coast Dance Society has provided annual scholarships and bursaries, including the venerable Lois Smith Award for Excellence in Ballet. National Ballet principal dancer Lois Smith co-founded the Society in 1993 along with now retired dancers/teachers Nicola and Paul Blakey and past Society president Maggie Guzzi. In 2017, the Society added a new award for choreography as well as the annual multi-genre and ballet awards offered, giving over $5,000 back to the Sunshine Coast dance community through scholarships to support emerging dance artists.
The Source offers two shows: a 2 p.m. matinée and again at 7:30 p.m. Student tickets $15. Adult tickets $20 (in advance) or $25 (at the door – if available.) Tickets are at www.sunshinecoastdance.com or Peggy Sue’s in Gibsons Landing and Pretty Natty Duds in Sechelt.
– Submitted
