just dance! | November 2013 | Vol. 2 | Issue II

2013 Holiday Gift Ideas // pages 26-27

November 2013 | Vol. 2 | Issue II

informing:

Learning Adaptability

at Dance Conventions

> page 21

celebrating:

Team Canada Dance

Defending Gold at the Worlds

jazzy chan is in the spotlight

inspiring:

Victoria academy of ballet’s New Aussie import

Meet BC Lions’ Felion Anastasia

justdancemagazine.com PMA #41073506

$4.00

2 just dance! | November 2013

Features:

INThISISSUE

Team Canada: Dancing for Gold in Poland ........................................ 8

By Heidi Turner Andrew Pronger: Victoria Academy of Ballet’s Aussie Import....... 18

By Harry Brown and Judy Bellis Someone to Roar About: Anastasia Roche..................................... 22

By Racquel Foran 2013 Holiday Gift Guide....................................................................... 26

Knowledge Base: Summer Away for Ballet..................................................................... 14

By Alex Shigetomi Dance Conventions: Why Attend?................................................... 21

By Sheu Fortunato

In Every Issue: publisher’s Letter...................................................................................... 4 In the Spotlight: Jazzy Chan.................................................................. 5

By Racquel Foran just dance! Wants to Know: What Dance Move or Routine Do You Want to Perfect this Season?...................................... 16 History of Dance: Acro’s Flip to the Top............................................ 28

By Lori Straus Balance: Saving “Cents”....................................................................... 30

By Caroline Palmer Cover: Alyssa Orum (seated) and Colby MacKenzie will perform two duos together in the “mini category”: a jazz duet, and a children’s modern duet. Photographer: Gemini Visuals.

FutureISSUEs In our January issue we will be interviewing Heather Ogden.

Make sure you pick up a copy to read about her journey from a Richmond, BC dance studio to Canada’s National Ballet.

Also featured in January, Maddi and Mackenzie Ziegler from Dance Moms. Find out if Abby Lee Miller is really as tough as she appears on tv.

If you haven’t already, subscribe online at justdancemagazine.com/Subscriptions.

In our March issue we are thrilled to be featuring an article about Canadian theatre icon Jeff Hyslop.

Pick up a copy to learn about his amazing journey to the pinnacle of success.

Also in March, a few articles to help you through the competition season: How to Overcome Stage Fright; How to Apply False Eyelashes; and Tricks & Tips for Backstage Quick Changes.

November 2013 | just dance! 3

FromThePublisher

A

s our tag line says, our goal is to inform, inspire and celebrate young performing artist and we are doing all three in abundance this issue.

To inform you, iDance founder Sheu Fortunato shares his thoughts on how he thinks dancers benefit from attending dance conventions, while certified financial planner Caroline Palmer offers great advice on how to make saving money a lifelong habit. You will be inspired by the stories of cheer star Jazzy Chan, Felions dancer Anastasia Roche, and Victoria Academy of Ballet’s newest import Andrew Pronger. And finally we are celebrating Western Canada’s Team Canada Dance, who is off to Poland this December to defend our country’s first place standing from 2012.

If you search our pages carefully you will also find a few special offers and discounts for our readers, and our two-page holiday gift guide offers a diverse range of gift ideas ranging in price from $5 to $600.

As always, I hope that just dance! magazine provides you with useful information and that you enjoy the read. I wish you a very happy holiday season and peace, love and laughter in 2014.

Keep dancing!

— Racquel

Correction: Our apologies to Julie MacRae (writer: Solos: When Are You Ready & What to Expect) for spelling her name incorrectly in the September issue.

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{inthespotlight}

In the Spotlight:

Jazzy Chan

by Racquel Foran

E

nergy. Spunk. Agility. These are the words that popped into my head as I watched 14-year-old Jasmine “Jazzy” Chan jump and flip across the mats at G

Rayam walk her through the steps of her routine; but her smile was all joy. It was obvious that although learning a new routine is not easy, she loves every

Force Gym in Port Coquitlam, BC. Deep

second of it. This is a good thing because

concentration showed in her eyes as

Jazzy has been dancing and cheering

she watched her choreographer Jibreel

her whole life.

She was so young when she first started to take dance classes she isn’t sure exactly how old she was, “but I did it all right from the start.” She took the usual classes including ballet, jazz, and lyrical at a number of different Tri-Cities dance studios and enjoyed every minute of it. “I love to dance,” she beamed, “I wish I could do more.”

November 2013 | just dance! 5

{inthespotlight}

G Force Gym In addition to being home of the Vancouver All Stars, G Force Gym offers a wide variety of tumbling classes including their All-in-One classes for those who want to try something new. These classes run ten months a year and offer youth the opportunity to learn about and explore four different activities: trampoline; gymnastics/ tumbling; dance; and cheer. Classes are divided by age, are small in size, and are of a recreational nature.

But Jazzy, also loved to cheer and she joined G Force Gym a year after she started dance, “this is my eleventh year – I’ve pretty much always done both.”

This has meant for busy and long days over the years, but that’s okay with her, “I don’t know what to do with myself if I am not busy. I am used to driving all over the place and having lots to do.”

G Force Gym owner Liz Gigante Ulrich noted that Jazzy has been with the sport so long she has grown with it, “The sport of All Star Cheer has only had a governing body providing distinct rules and guidelines for the world since 2006-07. Jazzy has been an All Star Cheerleader with the Vancouver All Stars for 11 years and has seen the sport grow and develop. She has had to train hard to keep up with the demands of the sport.”

And Jazzy’s hard work has paid off. She is part of G Force Gym’s TOPS program (Talent Opportunity Program) that offers 50 select athletes from the gym four extra hours a week of training to help them condition and prepare for the competition season.

High school has changed things a bit for Jazzy. She started grade 9 this year at Charles Best Secondary so thought it was a good idea to cut back a little so she could focus on her school work.

She decided to drop regular dance classes and continue with cheer – she

6 just dance! | November 2013

“Let’s face it, you have to put all your trust in these girls to catch you...”

now spends “only eight hours a week” at G Force training and rehearsing as part of the Vancouver All-Stars.

She did, however, leave the dance studio on a high note. In May 2012 she competed at Showstoppers in Anaheim, California where her jazz and contemporary solos and her contemporary duo with partner Ben Comin all won 1st place. Jazzy credited her choreographers Ashley Sweet and Davi Rodrigues with helping her do so well, “I had the opportunity to work with some great teachers for my solos and I placed well.”

Jazzy says both cheer and dance have been a great opportunity to learn a physical activity and discipline, “But the friendships are even better. You find people with common interests and develop really close relationships – even with the coaches. Let’s face it, you have to put all your trust in these girls to catch you – you form a real family bond.”

Travelling to competitions has been part of cheer from the beginning for Jazzy.

Even as a Level 1 competitor she was required to compete in five local events a year. Now that Jazzy is a Level 5 cheer competitor, she usually competes in seven or eight competitions a year, including one international. Jazzy listed some of her travels, “I have been to Palm Springs, Oregon and Florida –and lots of other U.S. destinations – it’s great.”

Florida is the location of The Cheerleading Worlds which truly are an international competition. They take place every year and attract top level cheer teams from across the globe. Only the highest level athletes who have trained for years qualify for the Vancouver All Stars Worlds teams.

Jazzy travelled with the team last year and said seeing how teams from other countries differ in their style and approach is an interesting part of international competitions, “For example the Japanese support themselves on the opposite leg from us – it sometimes looks strange to see because it is different from everyone else.”

Jazzy says even the American teams are different from Canadians “everything they do is really, really big, and really sassy – they stand out.”

{inthespotlight} Jazzy hasn’t totally given up dance either. Although she doesn’t take regular dance classes anymore, she did become a member of the the hip hop crew OTW this year and

she spends about five hours a week rehearsing with them, too. She also takes classes at

Jazzy flipping out at G Force Gym.

Harbour Dance Centre in Vancouver and attends as many dance conventions as she is able.

Jazzy’s future goals include a career related to her passion.

“I want to be in the performing arts – a dancer or cheer coach,” she said. She knows that she needs to concentrate on school right now, but there is no doubt that the long hours spent training at the gym is time wellspent on her journey to career success.

The Vancouver All Stars Senior Team showing off the silver medals they won at The Cheerleading Worlds.

Mark Derry Photography (x2), Racquel Foran (x3, top images)

The Canadians obviously stand out too, because Jazzy’s senior team placed second at the Worlds last year. She listed this as her greatest achievement to date, “It was an amazing experience!”

This year Jazzy will be competing as a soloist at local competitions, the first time she has done so in three or four years.

When asked if she would compete solo at the Worlds in 2014 she shook her head no, “I can handle it on a smaller level, but not Worlds yet.”

She admits to still getting nervous before she competes, “but I love performing – I have to just go out there and do my thing.” Adding that dancing and cheer have definitely given her more confidence.

Her passion for cheer has not, however, been easy on her body. She has broken

her finger, hyper-extended her knees, and rolled her ankles multiple times. “Most injuries are from tumbling,” she explained, “but sometimes it is as simple as landing on someone’s foot and rolling your ankle off.” But the injuries don’t seem to bother her much, “If I had started when I was older, it would be harder to tumble, I wouldn’t have the upper body strength, but I have been doing it forever so I am used to it.”

With evermore crossover between dance, acro and cheer, as is highlighted in this issue of just dance!, more dancers are seeing the value in taking some tumbling classes. Ulrich says that she is receiving increasing numbers of requests for private tumbling classes from dancers.

“We can teach tumbling quickly because it is what we specialize in. And we are excited to be moving to a brand new, much bigger space next spring so we can accommodate even more dancers.”

We’re cheering for you Jazzy!

Cheer Around Town Absolute Cheer & Tumbling North Vancouver absoluteacademy.com Coquitlam Cheer Coquitlam coquitlamfootball.com Midnight Cheer Athletics Vancouver midnightcheer.com Panther Cheer Athletics Richmond panthercheerathletics.com Peace Arch Champion Cheerleading Academy South Surrey championcheerleading.ca November 2013 | just dance! 7

Team Canada Laura Zeke Photography (x4)

Team Canada Dance (Western) 2013

Adult Team: Back row (from left): Kristine Arnold, Jessica Felix, Taylor Ponak, Emily Wismer, Danielle Fisher, Katheryn Isfeld, Tamara Dawson, Natasha Nazerali, Brittany Inkster Front row (from left): Morgan Bringeland-Powell, Nicole Hall, Kyera Fedoruk, Cierra Rohde, Shelby Soderstrom, Brodie Hargreaves, Kennedy Knopf , Sally Seo, Martha Krepa, Samantha Martin, Nicole Robb

Dancing for Gol 8 just dance! | November 2013

T

he world of dance will be focusing on Mikolajki, Poland, from December 10 to December 15, the location of the 2013 International Dance Organization’s World Dance Championships. There, dancers from around the world will compete to be named the best dancers in ballet/ Pointe, modern, and jazz. Led by national director Bonnie Dyer and head choreographer Danielle Gardner, 42 dancers from British Columbia will represent Canada in Poland while also defending Team Canada’s first place rank from last year.

Junior Team: Back row ( from left): Sierra Sward, Caroline MacCaull, Mikayla Fetter, Rebekah Coulson, Mikayla Campbell Middle row (from left): Nasiv Sall, Carley Ishii, Isabella Orum, Jenny Lian, Caroline Kiddie Front row ( from left): Courtney Rihela, Sofia Orum, Holden Cole, Audrey Tan, Salma Tran

Team Canada’s dancers are split into three age groups for the competition: mini-team, ages 11 and under; junior team, ages 12 to 15; and senior team, ages 16 and up. Each dance discipline and age group has performances involving solos, duets and group numbers.

“The soloists on our teams have to qualify to be soloists,” Bonnie Dyer says.

“We run the Canadian National Dance championships and the soloists have to qualify with gold or elite gold at those competitions to be one of the top three asked to perform a solo at the World Dance Championships.”

Mini Team: (from left) Back row: Clara Maria Alexandrova, Alyssa Orum, Jasmyn Evered, Micaela Nyland, Colby MacKenzie

ld in Poland Front row : Dante Arias, Serena Crouse

By Heidi Turner

Because there are so many dancers involved in the World Dance Championships—approximately 3,000 in total—each competition is done in rounds. During the first round, all 50 dancers in a category perform. That group is cut down to 25, then 12, and then the final six compete for the medals.

The dancers are marked based on composition of the dance, image and the performance itself. Dancers compete for gold, silver and bronze. Those who win gold get to stand on a podium and hear their national anthem played. Last year in Frankfurt, Team Canada came home with 16 gold medals and 32 silver medals, the most medals of any team.

To qualify for Team Canada, dancers had to take part in two rounds of auditions that included learning and performing a variety of combinations and pieces. Danielle Gardner says talent is important, but it is not the only thing the judges are looking for when they put Team Canada together.

November 2013 | just dance! 9

The Cost of Competing Internationally

Going to the World Dance Championships requires a financial commitment. Each dancer is responsible for paying his or her own way to the competition, which costs $3,500. On top of that, they must pay for costumes, gas to travel to rehearsals, accommodations and transfers.

There is no government sponsorship for dancers to attend the World Dance Championships, so dancers and their families must raise the money themselves. If they cannot afford to pay their way, they can get corporate sponsorship and they can fundraise. Among the fundraising initiatives are bake sales, bottle drives, button sales, meat orders, 50/50 draws and raffles.

A major fundraiser for the dancers is the Gala for Gold event, a showcase highlighting Team Canada’s dancers and other local dancers being held November 29 at Massey Theatre in New Westminster.

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Rehearsals take place every weekend in studios across the lower mainland and Fraser Valley until the competition, so the dancers must also have a firm commitment to the team.

But all that hard work pays off, not just for Team Canada but for each individual dancer as well. Katheryn Isfeld, who dances out of Coastal Edge Dance Centre in Port Coquitlam, is going to the World Dance Championships for the second year in a row, and says the first year was life-changing.

“It was the most incredible thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Katheryn says. “It’s so hard to describe because it was on a whole different level. It was an amazing group of people, and everybody worked hard and wanted to do well. Then you’re going and competing on a world stage and the pressure is just incredible. When you love it so much, though, you don’t mind putting in all your weekends.”

boys only.

Supported by: Ashia Mode Clothing Photo by: Michael Slobodian

“It’s great to have talent,” Danielle says, “but we’re also looking for people who are team players. We look at how they interact and if they’re open to making new friends. By the end of the competition we’re a family, so that is important.”

Although it would be nice for the dancers to win gold at the championships, and have Canada repeat its top ranking, they each say their goal is to do their best. That sentiment is echoed in the rules for families of Team Canada members attending the championships: no “dance moms” allowed.

“I was raised to do my best,” Brodie Hargreaves, competing in his first World Dance Championship, says. “As long as you feel you’ve done your best, there’s nothing else you can do. My goal is to do my best, have fun and indulge myself in Brodie Hargreaves and Natasha Nazareli rehearse at Encore Dance Academy in Port Coquitlam.

Danielle Gardner, head choreographer for Team Canada, is no stranger to high-pressure competitions. Danielle has been dancing since she was three years old. She met Joshua Beamish at DanzMode in Burnaby and was taken on as his apprentice. Danielle travelled with his company to Thailand and then auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance Canada. In Season 3, she was accepted on the show where she ultimately placed in the top four girls.

the experience of being an international dancer.”

All the dancers say that anyone thinking of auditioning for Team Canada should give it a try, not just for the dancing experience, but also for the opportunity to experience dance from other parts of the world.

“I would say just do it and enjoy every minute of it, and even if you don’t get the results you want, it’s a great experience,” Salma Tran, a 12-year-old dancer from Studio One Dance Center in Langley, says. “You learn a lot and if you do make it on the team you see the different types of dance and how kind other countries are, you feel happy and you want to cheer everyone on.”

Sofia Oram, who dances with Encore Dance Academy in Port Coquitlam, says there is a lot to be gained from auditioning for the World Dance Championships, more than just the competition itself. The process, she says, can help a dancer become better prepared for life as a professional.

Danielle was a soloist in the International Dance Organization World Dance Championships in 2008 and received the World Champion Title that year. In 2012 she completed her first competition as choreographer for Team Canada, helping the team win 16 gold medals. In addition to her work with Team Canada, Danielle founded a production company called Impact Dance Productions.

Danielle’s advice for those thinking of trying out for Team Canada: “Train in all genres. We’re not just looking for someone who is good at kicking or turning. We need versatility. Study modern, ballet, jazz and contemporary, because there’s no limit to what we might ask you to do.”

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“I tried out because I wanted to become more professional and know how it is to audition for things and travel and work with other choreographers and people from around the world,” Sofia says. “My goal is to be a better dancer than I was before I left, and I just want to take everything in and know what it feels like, so that I’m prepared for anything in the future.”

Sofia’s sister, Bella, says she is excited to dance and meet new people. “I just wanted to meet new people and dance with new people and represent our country doing what I love to do. I want to become a better dancer by doing this and hopefully it will push me to become the best I can be.”

November 2013 | just dance! 11

Despite their love of dance and desire

“I’m excited and a bit nervous,” says

to do their best, some of the dancers

Alyssa Oram, an eleven-year-old dancer.

are nervous about performing on the

“It’s not like Peak [a local competition],

world stage. For many, this is their first time at an international competition and

it’s the world championship. I’m nervous

their first time working with professional

but my goal is to try my hardest. I’m

choreographers.

always happy when I’m dancing.”

Elite Dancer: Melanie Ebbett, 15

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Summer Away for ballet

by Alexandra Shigetomi

Alex training at VAB. Alex posing with Ballet Instructors Andrew Pronger and Kerry Lynn Turner (Ballet BC Alumnus) Bridge Program Director for VAB.

A

s a dancer my goal is to always progress towards becoming the best dancer I can be.

Most dancers go through ten months of training and hard

work, but when summer vacation arrives, the routine ends. To shift from dancing so much to not dancing at all through the 14 just dance! | November 2013

summer is tough. My main concern when summer comes is “how I am going to maintain for next season all the stuff I’ve worked hard for this season?” My mom and I both knew that in order to maintain everything I had learned, and build on it, a summer dance intensive was the best solution. The question then became, which intensive and where?

We researched many different summer intensives and they all seemed great!, but

it was hard to know which would be the best fit for me. I decided to ask my ballet teacher for some advice. She suggested the Victoria Academy of Ballet. Once I researched VAB, I knew I had to go. I was thrilled to find out that I was accepted, but also a little nervous.

Going to Victoria was very exciting. I had never spent weeks away from home and I didn’t know anyone else attending the intensive and I was also very nervous

Jackie Shigetomi (x4)

Alex packed and ready to leave for Victoria.

about staying with another family, as home-stay is part of the VAB Summer Intensive program. Doing home-stay is something I never pictured myself doing.

I’m very shy when I first meet people, so staying with a strange family was very odd for me, but it all turned out.

placed into groups, I had floor barre. It

I stayed with the Dicksons. They have two little girls who were always so happy to watch me and the two other girls staying at the house get ready for ballet class. They would always greet us with a “Hi ballerinas!” After the first three nights I became really comfortable with the family. They were so welcoming and happy to be a part of my summer training.

dancing together.

Home-stay turned out to be a great learning experience for me. It taught me how to adapt to new living environments, as everyone has different routines Posing through their days. with fellow Home-stay also dancer provided me a lot and little of independence. sister Jessie.

Home-stay parents will make dinner for the dancers staying with them, but we were responsible for getting to and from dance on our own. We also had to learn to go to bed early enough that we were able wake ourselves up in the morning.

It really tested my responsibility to not have my mom to rely on.

Once dance classes started I was really nervous about making friends, because as much as this was about training I also wanted to have a good experience. On my first day, after being

was something I’ve never done before.

We did a lot of strengthening exercises to help us with other classes. After that I had jazz, then ballet and pointe. I was with the same dancers in every class. We all got really close over the three weeks we were

My teacher for ballet was Mr. Pronger.

Having class with him was such a great experience. His teaching style is exactly what I was looking for. Even though there were twelve students, he took the time to give each dancer corrections. All the teachers I had gave me many good pointers on how to improve my dancing.

The teachers at The Victoria Academy Ballet School were so nice to be around. They made me feel they only wanted what was best for me, so I could achieve my future goals.

They have all had great success and amazing careers and they only want the same thing for their students.

When I returned home I was so excited to tell and show my teachers at the danceLAB what I learned. When September classes started this year, I felt more prepared than I ever have after any other summer break.

Staying active in the summer is really important for athletes. Dancers are not just athletes, but also artists and you need to keep growing as an athlete and artist.

Being prepared for the new season is just another way of getting ahead and being the best you can possibly be. Summer 2013 was my best so far because I spent it doing what I love to do; dancing!

tap jazz acro ballet lyrical hip hop contemporary musical theatre pre-school dance 121-1533 Broadway St., Port Coquitlam, BC (604) 474-3466 info@onthepulse.ca www.onthepulse.ca

Programs: Recreational to intensive elite Pre-School to adult November 2013 | just dance! 15

just dance! wants to know…

Sponsored by:

Mackenzie Rogers Age: 13

Studio One Dance Center, Langley Two locations to serve you: Abbotsford: 604 855 9166 Maple Ridge: 604 466 0861 jazz-ma-tazz.com

The routine I would like to perfect this year would be my lyrical solo. I want to perfect this solo because it’s a challenge and I would feel really good if I perfected it. This solo was taught by my teacher Mrs. Pam. This solo has a lot of challenging moves that make me work hard.

Laura Zeke

Sarah Munro

Age: 7

K&S Dance, Port Coquitlam

Katheryn Isfeld

Age: 17

The move I want to perfect this year is flap-ball-change for my tap dancing. My mom took this picture.

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Send your response including your name, age, and studio you dance with, along with a photo of yourself to info@justdancemagazine.com.

All respondents will be automatically entered to win a $50 gift certificate to Jazz Ma Tazz Dance & Costume. (contest submission deadline is December 31, 2013)

16 just dance! | November 2013

Lisa Mu

This dance season I am absolutely determined to get my tilt! I have never been able to whack or hold a proper tilt and this year that is going to change because I’m practicing every day to get it perfect! My teacher never takes “can’t” for an answer and I won’t let myself either.

nro

Coastal Edge Dance Centre, Port Coquitlam

What dance routine or move would you like to perfect this season?

Nerys Stuart

Age: 8

Dance Oasis Studios, Osoyoos I began taking acro lessons this year, and the dance move I would like to learn or perfect this season is a back walkover.

Asia Sinnes

Age: 16

Pro Arte Centre, North Vancouver

e Sna Danc

TMM Media

ps

Just this year I have been honoured to be a part of CatchingART Contemporary Ballet Theater, based out of Pro Arte Centre, so I have been working with many different choreographers. All of our pieces are very challenging so I have been working hard to perfect those. Also, I will be focusing intensely on my lyrical solo which will be choreographed by Melanie Dance. I struggle with projecting my emotions to the audience and my lyrical solo always pushes me to do that – it always feels so good once you finally emote so I cannot wait to do so this year!

Kaylyn Wall

Age: 10

K&S Dance, Port Coquitlam & Street Kings Academy, Surrey

Age: 15 Studio One Dance Center, Langley

GTFX –

This year I want to perfect all three of my splits.

urnaby Peak B

Sydney Abram

The move I would like to perfect this season is the Triple Scorpion Turn.

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November 2013 | just dance! 17

Andrew

Pronger:

Victoria Academy of Andrew provides corrections to a student.

Ballet’s

Aussie Import

By Harry Brown & Judy Bellis

W

hat would prompt a successful dance teacher to uproot himself from an established school in Brisbane, Australia and travel all the way to Victoria, BC to begin a new life far away from his home?

For Andrew Pronger, Assistant to the Director and School Principal at Victoria Academy of Ballet (VAB), the decision wasn’t taken easily. But two events—the 18 just dance! | November 2013

death of his mother and the floods which devastated Queensland in 2010-11— had a great deal to do with his choice.

Although his school was not damaged in the floods, dance was not a priority amongst families whose focus was on rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of the catastrophe. Andrew felt that he needed a fresh start. He saw the ad for a teaching position with Victoria Academy of Ballet (VAB) and decided to apply; this was the beginning of his new adventure on another continent.

When he first arrived in Victoria in April, 2011, it was for a two week trial period.

It quickly became apparent to Andrew, however, that Bleiddyn Del Villar Bellis, the Owner/Director of VAB, had a vision for the future of VAB. One that he shared and believed he could contribute to. Andrew found a kindred spirit in Bleiddyn, in their knowledge of the Cecchetti Method and of teaching ballet in general. He was also impressed with the level of training the students had received under the

instructional guidance of Ms. Bellis. At the same time, he felt he could bring some new elements to the Academy. The two week sojourn became a permanent move.

VAB offers a wide range of options to beginners from age four all the way to adults. The two-year Bridge Program was recently approved for registration

by Private Career Training Institutions Agency of BC (PCTIA). Under the very competent direction of Kerry Lynn Turner, it is designed for post-secondary dancers who are aspiring professionals. VAB is a school on the move and Andrew speaks enthusiastically of his pleasure to be part of the process.

For her part, Ms. Bellis is delighted that Andrew chose to accept her offer of a position with VAB. “His experience as a professional dancer with Queensland Ballet in Australia and his prestigious high level Cecchetti qualifications make him an invaluable colleague as VAB grows in stature and becomes

Andrew teaches his students by example.

an integral part of Victoria’s vibrant arts scene.”

Andrew also holds a Master’s of Fine Arts Degree from Queensland, specializing in the area of choreography, but it is more than his background and qualifications which have impressed Ms. Bellis. She is also impressed by his ability to develop students to a professional career level, as it is rare for a teacher to have that range of knowledge and experience.

“His complete dedication to the students and their well-being is his first priority,” commented Ms. Bellis. “And he is always good natured and enthusiastic in dealing with them.”

Andrew enjoys teaching, especially the opportunity to pass on many of the things he has learned as a student and professional dancer. One of his goals is to inspire the younger generation to commit themselves to the arts world. He also speaks of his satisfaction that it is an essential element of the VAB philosophy

that consistent Faculty collaboration helps to maximize the potential of the dancers in his charge.

Andrew began his professional career as a dancer with the Queensland

a whole new generation of Aussie youngsters to become ballet dancers.”

When asked about the similarities and differences between dance in Canada and Australia, Andrew offers some

“...His experience as a professional dancer with Queensland Ballet in Australia and his prestigious high level Cecchetti qualifications make him an invaluable colleague as VAB grows in stature and becomes an integral part of Victoria’s vibrant arts scene.”

surprising insights. He says the response of students in both countries is gratifying and inspiring, but he has found a number

Ballet Company, which has recently appointed internationally renowned dancer, Li Cunxin, as the Artistic Director.

This appointment has certainly put Queensland Ballet on the map. As an alumnus, Andrew is excited about this appointment and believes that “this development will attract a number of dance superstars as well as inspire

of differences he hadn’t expected to encounter. “Australian students tend to be independent thinkers who ask many ‘why’ questions and who are not afraid to express opinions. Canadian students, on the other hand, are more reserved and tend to ask fewer questions and use their observation skills very well”.

November 2013 | just dance! 19

Another difference is in body and muscle type. In Brisbane, perhaps because of the outdoor lifestyle and the climate, much of the training is done in the heat and humidity, and dancers’ muscles are always warm.

Australian dance students have a “wonderful freedom of movement compared to Canadians who tend to be more contained, but who have an incredible technique. Both of these elements are important in today’s dance.”

One of Andrew’s responsibilities at VAB is to prepare his students for an annual recital. This is a huge task for every dance school, no matter where in the world it is located. He explains that he tries to create dances that will enrich students’ dance development and bring new elements to their training. In his first year in Canada he drew upon a famous Australian children’s story to inspire students in class, but also to teach them a little about life Down Under. He likes to use children’s stories for his work with younger students so they can enjoy reading them and discovering characters in a new way—through movement rather than in words.

Two keys to developing a strong reputation as a dance school are to have students excel in both exams and competitions. Andrew approaches these in slightly different ways. In preparing students for exams, he focuses on the technique and strength required, but he also encourages his students to develop an element of performance, “That sense of occasion in not only showing an examiner an excellent technical mastery, but also the artistry that is so special for a performer to demonstrate.”

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Preparing students for competitions can be quite different. Andrew enjoys performers who are honest and sensitive, and he strives to help his students achieve these qualities. If they are performing repertoire from a ballet, he has them research specific roles so they can develop a thorough understanding of the repertoire, the style and the character.

As a male, Andrew is also well aware of the challenges in attracting young men to the dance world.

20 just dance! | November 2013

The challenges are similar in Canada and Australia. As a beginner, he started with Jazz and Tap. He enrolled in ballet only to help his technique, but he found he had ability in classical ballet and eventually, he embraced it. Many boys in his Brisbane studio began with Tap or Hip Hop, and then moved to ballet as he had done. But getting them there wasn’t an easy process because there are so many options for young people—sports, music and other community activities.

According to Andrew, male teachers must become models and mentors.

They must constantly “sell” aspects of dance to their male students, especially early on. His approach is to focus on the “excitement of turns, big jumps and batterie and to try to get the young males hooked on the athleticism.” As the boys get stronger, partner work can add a new level of excitement.

As a relative newcomer, Andrew has faced a few challenges in adjusting to Canadian life including a Victoria, BC winter. Communication has also been a stumbling block at times. His strong Australian accent and vocabulary at first caused blank looks, raised eyebrows and outright confusion. And leaving his family, colleagues, students and friends behind and arriving where he knew no-one was difficult. He still misses them, but knows he has their support as he pursues his future in this country.

Despite a few setbacks, though, he has risen to the challenge and become at fixture at VAB. Students love his animated teaching style. They love his positive approach and his sense of humour. Perhaps most of all, they love his dedication to them and his obvious joy in helping them open their eyes to the possibilities in their own lives as well as in the world of dance.

Harry Brown is a retired school Principal and Education Consultant who loves the performing arts. He sometimes acts as Consultant to VAB on education matters. Judy Bellis, also a retired school administrator, acts as Student Services Coordinator for VAB.

Dance Conventions: Why Attend?

T

By Sheu Fortunato

here’s that girl in the front of the room that grabs everyone’s attention. She picks up the choreography and movements effortlessly, and she executes each combination almost perfectly as soon as the music starts.

Everyone notices her. She’s ‘sooo’ good, but how does she do it?

Well, one thing is for sure; it isn’t her first dance convention. When a dancer registers for a convention they’re opening themselves up to a whole new dance world filled with challenges. Having to learn new choreography every hour, from a different teacher, in a different environment, with different dancers, isn’t your typical dance in the studio. Each of these things is, however, dynamically intertwined with each convention participant improving not only as a dancer, but more importantly developing and growing as a person.

When dancers learn new choreography from a new teacher, they’re forced to adjust their interpretation of the choreography based on how the teacher teaches it. Dancers unconsciously program their brains to interpret the teachers they learn from in their dance studios; but at a dance convention they are forced to break that pattern every hour, for six hours straight, two days in a row.

The experience of learning new choreography in a dance convention environment can be overwhelming.

Suddenly the ballroom seems very big; there aren’t any mirrors; and you are dancing on carpet. To top this off, you barely know anyone in the class.

But believe it or not, this is perfect!

Putting yourself in uncomfortable and challenging situations will help you grow. It’s like the old saying, “In order to succeed you have to fail.” You probably won’t be at the front of the class the first

time you attend a dance convention, and you probably won’t be the best in the class either. But as you continue to attend different and more dance conventions each year, you’ll learn to adapt. Before you know it, that illusive girl at the front of the ballroom who picks up the choreography and movement almost effortlessly, will be you.

Over time your brain will learn to adapt to all the challenges. With practice and repetition the seemingly difficult task of learning so much choreography from a new teacher becomes easy. This new ability to mentally adapt will give you a big advantage over other dancers.

Just as stretching and balance can be improved with practice and repetition, so too can your mental skills.

Adaptability is probably one of the most important elements for a dancer attending a dance convention to have. Participating in a dance convention is more than just learning new choreography with a new teacher in a new environment with new dancers.

The bigger skill you are taking away is learning how to adapt, an important part of achieving success in any endeavor.

Whether you continue as a professional dancer, open your own studio, or climb the cooperate ladder, everyone will tell you the same thing: Those who are successful aren’t any better than the others, they just learned to adapt quicker and better than the others. As Charles Darwin said, “It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive, but those who can best manage change.”

However, dancers and parents also need to understand that consistency and hard work at your home studio is more important than any convention you can take. Your foundation isn’t in the convention ballroom, but rather in your home studio. Without a strong foundation regardless of the field, discipline, or occupation, you cannot grow.

But if you learn to adapt and work hard, soon it will be you in front of the ballroom who everyone is watching. If you use that strong foundation you developed in your studio and your new-found ability to adapt quickly from years of taking dance conventions, you will own that ballroom.

You’ll be ready to take on any class, and be that dancer that others watch and whisper, “She’s ‘sooo’ good”.

Sheu Fortunato is the President of SDF Productions, the parent company of iDance. Entering its 6th National Tour, iDance is the only official Canadian Dance Convention that tours exclusively with SYTYCD Canada’s Top 4 from Seasons 1,2,3 & 4 as well as exclusive international guest talent from SYTYCD USA and special guest teachers from the Paris Dance Tour. Visit idanceconvention. com for more info.

November 2013 | just dance! 21

{CelebrityCorner}

Someone to Roar About As I sat across from Anastasia (Ana) Roche for our interview, I saw a grownup version of the girl I met when she was only 7 years old. Her tiny frame was lost inside her puffy winter coat; her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and only a little bit of makeup highlighted her warm eyes. “This is me,” she said with a big smile “hair in a ponytail, no makeup.”

Although I could easily relate this lovely young woman to the girl I knew, it was a little more difficult for me to connect the little girl to the adult outfits that the young woman “Anastasia” wears during BC Lions football games. Ana is a member of the BC Lions Felions Dance Team, where she goes by her full name, Anastasia. And for me, she is proof that you never know where dance class might take you.

22 just dance! | November 2013

Anastasia poses for her Felions publicity shot.

{CelebrityCorner}

Anastasia Roche

By Racquel Foran

Every child who takes a dance class for the first time, whether by force or choice, is faced with the same mystery—where will it lead? Will it be her first and only dance class, or one of a lifetime of classes?

Will dance become a passing hobby, a passionate addiction, or a focussed profession? No one knows for sure, not the child, her parents, or the dance teacher.

This was certainly the case for Ana when she started taking Ukrainian dance classes at 4 years old as “something to try at the time.” Eventually she enrolled in musical theatre which she took exclusively for several years at the Lindbjerg Academy in Coquitlam. It wasn’t until she was 13 or 14 and after she joined Broadway Bound that she added dance classes to her training. “I never wanted to be a professional dancer,” Ana explained, “I liked performing.”

So the question then is, “How did this no make-up, pony-tail girl who never wanted to be a professional dancer end up as BC Lions Felion?”

Mini fact:

Ana laughed when I asked The coldest the question, “it Grey Cup was a fluke,” she playing/dancing conditions was in answered. She 1991 in Winnipeg. went on to explain The temperature that when she was -17ºC with graduated from 13km winds. high school there was no longer a reason for her to be at her old dance studio, but she was used to being there. She was finding it difficult to suddenly stop dancing after spending four or five days a week at the studio. “I was missing dance, the weekly routine.

I was a little lost without it, so I kept hanging around.”

Through her studio, Ana knew the choreographer of the Felions and she recommended Ana tryout for the dance team. So Ana gave it a shot not really expecting to make the team, but she did. “I never really watched CFL football, and never even thought about being a cheerleader, but it has been a great experience.”

Great experience yes, but easy, not at all.

Felions Dance Team members make a big commitment. In addition to rehearsals and game day performances, team members are also required to do promotional work for the BC Lions franchise as well as travel to the Grey Cup.

This is Ana’s third season on the team so

Weekly practices are three hours long and dancers have a lot to learn during that time. In a single game the Felions perform six different routines on the field, as well as 10 to 13 “ad lib” routines on the sidelines.

The Felions dance for close to two hours over the course of a single game. One of the more challenging aspects of being a CFL dancer is that they do not know ahead of time what songs the DJ is going to play on game night. The dancers need to decide within seconds of hearing the first beat of a song what routine to perform.

Felions team coordinator Alexandra Severyn noted, “This requires the dancers to think quickly on their feet, work closely as a team, and know their choreography like the back of their hands.”

front and in the centre.”

she is now considered a “vet” but she did emphasize that one of the great things about the dance team is that they are all equals. “There are no superstars,” she explained, “We all get our time in the

Ana is all smiles on the sidelines.

As Ana explained, there is a dangerous element to their roles, too. “We have to line up in front of the boards on the sidelines before we go on the field, so we have to pay attention to the game for our own safety—it isn’t common for a dancer to be hit by a ball or a player, but it has happened.”

“... dancers must think quickly on their feet, work closely as a team, and know their choreography like the back of their hands.”

November 2013 | just dance! 23

Former Felion (2003 to 2005) Jenny Duffy rejoined the team as their choreographer in 2013. In addition to being a graduate of the Sauder School of Business and a Chartered Public Accountant, Jenny is a faculty member at Harbour Dance Centre and VanArts Media Design Institute. She has also danced with many recording stars including K-OS, The Black Eyed Peas, and Mocha Only.

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24 just dance! | November 2013

When asked what her best experience with the team has been to date she was quick to answer, “Grey Cup in Toronto last year.” It was her second Grey Cup so she felt more comfortable and knew what to expect adding that she could, “relax a little and just enjoy the experience.”

Grey Cup is special for all the CFL team dancers because it is the only CFL event where all eight teams attend and dance.

Each year the CFL Cheer Teams hold their Cheer Extravaganza where all eight teams (approximately 300 dancers) get to perform their best routines for each other and the enthusiastic Grey Cup crowds. Only The largest Grey the dancers for the Cup attendance two teams playing to date was in in the playoff get 1977 at Montreal’s to perform their Olympic Stadium; routines on the field 68,318 fans during the game, watched the but all eight teams game (and the cheer teams). get to perform mini sideline routines throughout the game; a once in a lifetime opportunity to dance in front of an audience of 60,000+ people.

Mini fact:

When I asked Ana what musical theatre, dance, and now the Felions have done for her she didn’t hesitate with her response, “it gave me confidence.” It is clear that confidence has served her well in all areas of her life. Since graduating from high school Ana has earned her Bachelor of Arts with a major in psychology. She is currently taking courses so she can carry on to a Masters program in Occupational Therapy while she works at two part-time jobs. She also volunteers at two different non-profits.

And in addition to her work with the Felions, she recently found out she made the new Vancouver Stealth Bombshell Dance Team.

As Ana has learned, you never know what a dance class will lead to, but there is a good chance that taking the class will give you the confidence to do and try many different things just to see where the experience might take you.

Do you want to roar with the Felions?

Every March or April the Felions Dance Team holds open auditions; you must be 19 years old to audition. Approximately 150 dancers tryout for 33 spots on the team.

Dance auditions are followed by interviews. If you are a dancer with an enthusiastic attitude, then you are what they are looking for.

Felions perform six different routines on the field during a football game.

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Below: All Felions are required to make public appearances both paid, and for charitable causes.

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By the time this article reaches you, the 101st Grey Cup Champions will have been crowned. Although most Canadians relate hockey with our country, the Grey Cup’s history is almost as long and is uniquely Canadian. It was 1909 when Governor General Earl Grey donated a trophy to the winner of the amateur football championship of Canada.

Dubbed the Grey Cup, the first one was awarded to the University of Toronto at Rosedale Field on Dec. 4, 1909. In 1958, the Canadian Football Council withdrew from the Canadian Rugby Union and took a new name, the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the Grey Cup became the championship trophy for the new league. Since their formation in 1953 the BC Lions have played in ten Grey Cup Championships, winning six; mostly recently in 2011.

November 2012 | Issue II

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2013 Holiday Gift Bloch Practice Tutu

Toeless Yoga Socks

Just because going to ballet class every week is routine doesn’t mean your dance attire has to be. Add this simple and pretty practice tutu from Bloch to your dancewear for a bit of classic elegance. Comes with a built-in panty. $76.95

Pandora Ballet Shoes Charm Charm bracelets are wonderful way of commemorating milestones and achievements. Pandora offers a wide range of bracelets and charms including the Ballet Shoe Charm – an excellent choice for the dancer in your life. pandora.net $50.00

Dance Series Books

Sometimes you just gotta ’ wiggle your toes – when that’s the case then Toeless Yoga Socks are the perfect solution. Not only can you spread your toes, but the no-slip grip bottom will you prevent you from sliding out of control when stretching. $16.98 gaiam.com/ toeless-yoga-socks

Does your dancer ike to read in her down time? If so you might want to consider the Dance Series from Lechner Syndications. There are seven books in the series including Tutu Much, TapIn and Visions of Sugarplums all targeted at readers ages 10 to 14. Each book in the series is full of the kind of drama and excitement every young studio dancer can relate to.

For Kindle: $2.99 Paperback: $8.49 amazon.ca

Sugar and Bruno Bracelet A perfect stocking-stuffer, the Keltie bracelet features the phrase “Plie. Tendu. Releve.” as well as a Fearless Heart logo. $5.00 sugarandbruno.com

RacNRoll Dance Bag Make toting your costumes to and from competitions, and changing during performances easier with a RacNRoll Dance Bag. A rolling suitcase to transport your stuff turns into an instant hanging rack backstage! Two sizes and lots of accessories to choose from. $145 to $165 racnroll.com

Dance Mom Travel Mug- by café press

Mom deserves a gift too. This ceramic travel mug from café press is a great way to say “thanks mom for all you do.” $31.00 cafepress.ca 26 just dance! | November 2013

Guide

It’s that time of year again when gifts are top of mind. We reached out to some local dancers to find out what’s on their wish list this year – here are a few of their favourites (and ours).

Tallulah’s Tutu Your little ballerina won’t be able to resist these gorgeous hardcover books that follow Tallulah through a series of dance adventures. $19.95 kidsbooks.ca

Dancers Among Us

Dream Dancer Pro Lighted Mirror Makeup Stand This portable makeup stand features adjustable telescoping legs with multiple height settings, a 16.5 x 14 inch lighted mirror, two auxiliary outlets; and four divided fold-out padded storage trays with clear covers for easy viewing. Helps keep your supplies organized and safe with a lock and key system for security. $600.00 dreamduffel.com

Dance Paws

If you are looking for proof that dance can be found everywhere then pick up a copy of dancers among us. Jordan Matter’s photos capture dancers in fabulously creative poses that can’t help but make you want to kick up your heels. $22.95 chapters.indigo.ca

Sometimes your feet need a little bit of protection. Dance Paws will offer just that with their form-fitting power mesh spandex, elastic band and individual toe holes that all work to keep them in place while fabric cushions on the ball of the foot help wick away moisture from your skin. Find them at your local dance retailer. $41.96

Bunheads Sticky Strips There is nothing worse than having to constantly pull the straps of your dancewear back onto your shoulders.

Bunheads Sticky Strips will prevent you from ever having to do that again.

Versatile and easy-to-use these double sided tape strips hold leotards and costumes in place, help hide bra straps, and keep heels of pointe shoes on.

36 per package. $10.95

Sephora Holiday Light Show Brush Set

Every dancer needs a set of quality make-up brushes. This special holiday set from Sephora will add a little colour to her makeup bag. The 7-piece set includes a Black Acrylic Stand, Powder Brush, Foundation Brush, Face Contour Brush, Crease Brush, Shadow Brush and Slanted Eyeliner Brush. $82.00 sephora.com/makeup-brush-sets November 2013 | just dance! 27

{HistoryOfDance}

Photos 1 - 4: Santé Fortunato showing her versatility and flexibility in various performance poses.

Photo 5: a group of young acro students practice their moves.

From BackBending to Hair-Raising:

Acro’s Flip to the Top “Aerials weren’t allowed in the 70s and early

O

80s,” she recalls. “You couldn’t do anything

nce limited to back-bending contortionists whose hands weren’t allowed to leave the ground, acro has recently emerged as a dance form in its own right. With classes springing up in studios across the country, acro’s popularity is only climbing.

Acro and dance teacher Joanne Chapman has seen many changes since she opened her first studio in Brampton, Ontario in 1974.

28 just dance! | November 2013

where your hands left the floor. When I was younger, doing acrobatics, you could not tumble. Back then, it was very contortioned.

You had to be bendy-bendy.”

She noticed a shift starting around 19821983. More gymnastics students were slowly entering dance with their skillset, allowing teachers to add a few tricks to an open or jazz routine. Now, 20 to 30 years later, acro has made its way into

jazz, contemporary, and other forms of dance, in addition to being its own category in many competitions.

Chapman feels it’s a predominantly Canadian form of dance. “In November, I have 42 students coming up here from Florida, Detroit, and South Carolina [for an acro intensive]. Some Canadian kids are coming, too, but it’ll mainly be these kids travelling astronomical miles to this kind of acro. It’s very Canadian.”

Madelyn Hall, a 21-year-old acro and

Brittany G. | Jennifer Tewson

By Lori Straus

{HistoryOfDance}

3

1 cheerleading teacher in Surrey, BC, started dance at three, cheerleading at four, and acro at eight. Hall defines acro as “very much a blend of dance and gymnastics and cheerleading. What separates it is the finesse and control.” To her, acro isn’t about sharp movements common in cheerleading. Rather, it’s about the control the dancers exhibit as they move from one picture to another.

Acro is arguably one of the most dangerous forms of dance. Parents should look for certified teachers who know the difference between pushing too hard and not pushing enough.

“If the dancer is too scared, that’s okay.

It’s about being able to re-evaluate depending on - not necessarily the ability - your kids,” says Hall. “When I put a 9-year-old on top of a 12-year-old on top of a 16-year-old, I make sure it’s safe first. If someone doesn’t feel safe, we don’t do it.”

As much as coaches need to listen to their students to teach effectively, students also need to listen to their coaches to learn effectively. Hall believes that the most common mistake beginners make is assuming they can learn advanced steps quickly.

“People try and do things too quickly. I think that’s a very big trend in kids nowadays,” she says. “If you learn the technique step by step, it’ll be easier for you.”

Alongside posture and flexibility, acro develops a very strong core, says Chapman. “Even the dancer who doesn’t get really good at the acrobatic tricks gets the benefits of the core.”

2

5

Chapman also sees benefits in partnering, because a girl/boy pairing isn’t required.

So even for studios that have few or even no boys, girls can learn the partnering skills needed in a professional career.

Hall also notes that some tricks are becoming standard now for auditions: “To be able to do an aerial, it’s almost a necessity now, because they’re becoming so popular. I keep telling my senior girls, ‘When you get to an audition, 90% of the girls in the room now do an aerial.’”

Santé D’Amours Fortunato’s aerial skills aren’t bound to the floor. As a circus performer who grew up in Coquitlam, BC, she does aerial hoop, hula hoop, and contortion. She started in dance when she was eight and rhythmic gymnastics when she was 13. At 18, she moved on to the National Circus School in Montreal and graduated three years later. The program has only a few academic classes. The rest consists of different types of physical tests, like running tests, the number of chin-ups a student can complete, etc. Even the final exam is physical – a performance – and not a written test.

Fortunato chose the circus arts over dance because of her experiences in the professional dance world. Watching her sister work as a professional dancer, and herself having performed in a Julia Roberts movie in 2012 (Mirror, Mirror), she felt that dancers weren’t being challenged enough anymore.

“You train so hard to be the best and noticed at an audition and then you do almost nothing. And I just found that

4 unsatisfying,” she says. She quickly adds that not all professional dance work (like, for example, professional ballet companies) is like that, but she does sense a trend in that direction. Focusing on circus arts meant that she could “perfect something that I could do that was mine. I always loved choreographing when I danced. Doing circus and doing your own act, you have the liberty of doing that.”

Fortunato loves her career, but it took hard work: “When I was younger I did all kinds of dance and a little bit of rhythmic gymnastics and I think most teenage girls would go to the mall and go shopping. I would spend all my time doing homework and practicing at night and that’s it.

That’s kind of a sacrifice, but I enjoyed every moment of it.”

For dancers wishing to pursue a career in circus, she strongly suggests doing a type of gymnastics. “I feel that, as a child, you might be pushed more, so it’s easier to break in to circus later. Dance is also a really good thing to do so you look more artistic on stage.” A strong willingness to travel and meet new people quickly is also required to be successful in circus.

Acro can open up many doors for you, whether you dream of winning a TV dance competition, amazing audiences as a circus performer, or increasing your core strength to support your preferred dance styles. Chapman says about acro: “I think it’s important. I think it’s more diversified. I think it gives you a head up.

It’s come a huge way.”

November 2013 | just dance! 29

{Balance}

Now you need to determine your goals; but be realistic. If you have a part-time job that pays only $12/hr and want to save $100,000 by the time you are 18, you are likely going to be disappointed! But if you start saving at 15 and are focussed, $5,000 to $10,000 is attainable.

Setting both long and short term goals is also a good way to help control spending and achieve your savings goals. A short term objective might be buying a concert ticket, a longer term goal would include saving for your post-secondary education or travel.

A

young client recently asked me, “How do I get rich?” I answered, “You save money.” It obviously was not the answer she was hoping to hear.

There is a common misconception that being rich means you get to be spend a lot of money, but this is far from the truth.

Like anything in life, planning can make your future goals more attainable. It holds true for our health as well as well as our finances.

When we are younger our food choices may not present any immediate health issues, but those early choices do have a big impact on our well-being later in life.

How we spend our money is very similar.

When we are younger most necessities are bought by parents. The first money we receive is often through an allowance, or a small job like a paper route or babysitting. How we manage this money will have an impact on how we view and use money in the future.

So where do we start? We start with your current income and spending habits, or your cash flow. This is a list of all the items and their costs that you spend money on regularly, including things like birthday gifts, snacks at the mall, or a night at the movies.

The biggest downfall to saving is spending.

If you always spend all the money you earn, you can’t save. You must decide what you are willing to give up so you are able to save money? To help you do this, note if the things on your list are things you really need, or things you just want.

30 just dance! | November 2013

It is easy to figure out what you need to do to get to that concert. If you receive an allowance of $10/week and you want to purchase a $100 ticket, you would have to save for 10 weeks and not spend any money.

It can be harder to establish long term goals. The best place to start is by writing down your goals. Determine what savings you will need and when and then set up a special account for your savings. Put a certain amount in the account every time you get paid based on what you need to save and the time frame you have set for achieving your goal; this will serve to make saving more of a habit. And make sure you review both your goals and savings regularly to ensure you are still on track.

You may want change your goals over time, but having savings will only make it easier to consider different options.

Your biggest long term expense will likely be your post-secondary education.

Attaining this goal can take a lot of time and preparation, as it is not just about saving money. What program will you attend? What are the requirements?

Where will you live? Many questions have to be answered and it is important you answer them all in order to get an accurate picture of how much money you will need to finance everything.

It is always important to view finances realistically. How much money do you need to save and in what time frame?

What jobs can you get to help with these savings? For students in elementary school, RESPs taken out by parents can be a great help. Once you reach high

by Caroline Palmer, CIM CFP CLU school, funds can come in the form of scholarships and summer jobs.

Scholarships are a great way to help with financing post-secondary education as there are many local and intuitional scholarships available. But be aware they require planning too, as applications are time-consuming and have varying requirements (community work, volunteering etc.) as well as strict application deadlines.

As with all planning, determine what is needed early on in your goal setting.

In the end, saving is as easy as it is difficult.

Some people find it easy to save and others have to work harder at it. These five guidelines will help you get started on the right track: 1. Get started early. Saving $100 a month for five years (annual interest rate 3%) would provide a savings of $6474, but delaying savings by two years and saving for only three, would result in savings of $3769.

2. Set realistic short and long term goals. Put longer term goals in writing and set up an account for your savings.

3. Review your progress. Things change. Review and adjust your savings goals as your situation changes; financial planning is a lifetime process, not a one-time event.

4. Seek advice. Talk to those around you with more experience: school councillors, bank advisors, or your parents.

5.

Remember, there is no “get rich quick” option.

Caroline Palmer is a Certified Financial Planner with 23 years experience in the financial services industry. She has financed three daughters through skating, swimming, dance and postsecondary education. Contact Caroline to help plan your financial future.

C M Palmer Financial caroline.palmer@sunlife.com Tel: 604 937 7818 sunlife.ca/caroline.palmer

Karen Fisher-Hagel

$aving “Cents”

ACADEMIES, SCHOOLS & STUDIOS Arts Umbrella artsumbrella.com info@artsumbrella.com 604 681 5268 x0 1286 Cartwright St Granville Island, Vancouver Canada’s National Ballet School nbs-enb.ca Toll Free: 800 387 0785 Toronto: 416 964 3780 The danceLAB Studios Ltd. dancelab.ca info@dancelab.ca 604 525 5289 910 Sherwood Ave, Coquitlam DanzMode Productions danzmodeproductions.com info@danzmodeproductions.com 604 294 4677 7209 Curragh Ave, Burnaby Defy Gravity Dance Company defygravitydance.ca office@defygravitydance.ca 604 272 0808 30 - 11151 Horseshoe Way Richmond Douglas Ballet Academy douglasballet.com dba2@telus.net 604 420 0204 202 - 4199 Lougheed Hwy Burnaby Encore Dance Academy encoredanceacademy.ca encoredance@telus.net 8 – 3160 Westwood St Port Coquitlam Fusion Force Studio fusionforcestudio.com fusionf@telus.net 604 533 1863 101 - 19670 Landmark Way Langley K&S Dance kandsdance.com kandsdance@telus.net 604 944 6826 #10 - 1730 Broadway St Port Coquitlam The Landing Dance Centre thelandingdance.com info@thelandingdance.com 604 325 8653 270 Southwest Marine Dr Vancouver

Place des Arts placedesarts.ca info@placedesarts.ca 604 664 1636 120 Brunette Ave, Coquitlam PULSE dance centre onthepulse.ca 604 474 3466 info@onthepulse.ca 121 - 1533 Broadway St Port Coquitlam Royal Winnipeg Ballet School rwb.org school@rwb.org 204 957 3467 Studio One Dance Center studioonedancecenter.ca info@studioonedancecenter.ca 604 856 0400 3347 262 St, Langley The Spiral Dance Co. spiraldance.ca info@spiraldance.com 604 541 2800 1471 Stayte Rd, White Rock Tri-City Dance Centre tricitydance.com info@tricitydance.com 604 523 6868 98 Brigantine Dr, Coquitlam Urban Dance Co. urbandanceco.com info@urbandanceco.com 604 277 4494 #128-11121 Horseshoe Way Richmond Victoria Academy of Ballet victoriaacademyofballet.ca 250 590 6752 643 Broughton St, Victoria COMPETITION & EVENT ORGANIZERS Fresh Dance Intensive

freshdanceintensive.com david@freshdanceintensive.com The Hollywood Summer Tour thehollywoodsummertour.com info@ thehollywoodsummertour.com 1 818 574 8365 Los Angeles, CA iDance/SDF Productions sdfproductions@shaw.ca 604 721 7909 Suite 126 – 255 Newport Rd Port Moody

Showtime Promotions showtimedancepromotions. com info@ showtimedancepromotions.com 250 768 7202 5678 Showtime 5678showtime.com info@5678showtime.com 604 945 7469

Performing arts SUPPLIERS Avalon Dance Shop of Canada avalondance.ca info@avalondance.ca 604 874 2461 4750 Main St, Vancouver Dream Duffel dreamduffel.com info@dreamduffel.com 877 378 1260 En Pointe Enterprises en-pointe.com facebook.com/danceproducts 1 866 491 9019 Jazz Ma Tazz jazz-ma-tazz.com jazzma@telus.net Abbotsford: 604 855 9166 Maple Ridge: 604 466 0861 MOVE Athletics moveathletics.com moveit@moveathletics.com Greater Vancouver: 604 812 1382 Toll Free: 888 267 0576 Rac n Roll racnroll.com 905 503 ROLL (7655) 800 545 9302 professional companies Ballet BC balletbc.com 604 732 5003 677 Davie St, 6th floor Vancouver Ballet Victoria balletvictoria.ca info@balletvictoria.ca 250 380 6063 643 Broughton St, Victoria Lamondance lamondance.com 604 980 3040 3355 Mountain Hwy, North Vancouver

XBa DanceCo xba.ca info@xba.ca 604 220 9679 Professional SupportS Dr. Fred Meinzer Chiropractor for Ballet BC drfredmeinzer.com Integrative Healing Arts, Vancouver: 604 738 1012 Aldergrove Wellness Centre: 604 856 5299 Girlvana Yoga girlvanayoga.com info@girlvanayoga.com 604 506 7788 Dr. Harold Meinzer Chiropractor for BC thunderbirdwellnesscentre.com Back2Health Chiropractic, Vancouver: 604 742 0111 Thunderbird Wellness Centre, Langley: 604 881 2404 Services Gemini Visuals geminivisuals.com info@geminivisuals.com 604 312 6330 20 - 15531 24 Ave, Surrey GTFX gtfx.ca 604 434 3686 (FOTO) Laura Zeke Photography laurazeke.com info@laurazeke.com 604 908 5861 Lechner Syndications lechnersyndications.com/ dance-series info@ lechnersyndications.com Victoria, BC Westwood Printing & Signs westwoodprinting.com sales@westwoodprinting.com 604 464 8840 specktacular designs specktaculardesigns.com info@specktaculardesigns.com 604 472 1000 (staging & organizing the Tri-Cities & beyond) THEATRES Evergreen Cultural Centre evergreenculturalcentre.ca info@ evergreenculturalcentre.ca 604 927 6550 1205 Pinetree Way Coquitlam

Visit our website for direct links to listings’ websites: justdancemagazine.com November 2013 | just dance! 31

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32 just dance! | November 2013

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