2017 – 2018 Group Mentions of Honour
Some years, a group or groups, distinguish themselves; their instructors submit them for special recognition. This year there were four groups that merited mentions of honour:
I especially loved working with my ‘littles,’ the Pre-Primary Ballet Thursday course; Tap 3 Closed, a.k.a ‘the Crabbuckit’s”, and want to recognize the P.T.D. Tap group for their willingness and devotion to their “Shout!” characters and hard steps. — Hailley Caulfield Postle
The Half Day program dancers for showing respect, openness and team work! Two schools came together and although it wasn’t easy for the dancers all the time, dance and the passion for it brought them together and they became such a strong team inside and outside the studio. — Jocelyn Wozencroft
2017 – 2018 Individual Mentions of Honour
Attendance this year was such that we cannot list all the students with exemplary attendance. To ALL the Students (and their families!) who show their dedication to their own learning and to their teams through excellence in attendance and punctuality, we salute and thank you!
Instructors recommended the following students for individual recognition:
Braeden Burasee for talent for dance and improvement in Ballet*
Kiara Burasee for excellent attendance and working so hard in every class*
Harwood Burnett for talent for dance
Katherine Cahoon for leadership, improvement and excellence in hip hop; for managing roles of teacher, student, friend, sister, and teammate with such grace*
Kaiya Carruthers for talent, especially in Ballet, and enthusiasm
Aerin Chow for achievement from Preparedness with exceptional home practice.
Madison Coulter for working hard to come back to dancing after surgery and supporting her team even when she could not dance
Abriel Da Silva for improvement in Acro
Grayson Davis for improvement in Hip Hop
Nyla Devaras for leadership, especially in Musical Theatre; focus and hard work leading to impressive improvements
Aaliyah Fiorda for working so hard this year and improving so much as a result
Alexis Fiorda for consistent and exemplary hard work and being an adorable ray of sunshine everywhere she goes
Taia Fiorda for Performance and hard work in Acro and being a good (though sometimes bossy!) leader; for stepping in for ‘SHOUT!’ when we needed her
Rebekah Gill for leadership; she always obviously wants to be at dance and it’s infectious!*
Kaia Goddard for her hard work all year* and incredible dedication in the face of the unimaginable loss of her Dad, Peter Davis
Thea Harmse for talent and improvement in Ballet and Jazz
Carter Hayes for hard work and improvement in Ballet; and for his creativity and investment in Contemporary Ballet solo work; for intelligent contributions to Contemporary Ballet group processes
Isabella Jiwani for improvement in Performance and Acro, and focus in Ballet.
Emma Langtry for improvement in Jazz
Alison Lee for talent, especially in Hip Hop
Sue Lee for consistency, focus and commitment to her development through solo and group work and demonstrating tremendous promise for pursuing a professional career in dance
Yeseung Lee for exceptional work and focus in all classes all year that make her a real delight to teach including coming to all the extra classes for her combined performing groups; for applying all her corrections
Layla Lemdersi-Filali for talent and improvement through hard work in Jazz
Shanna Lilley for being a better person to herself and others this year and a much better teammate
Michelle Liu for achievement in Contemporary Ballet
Camilla Lozano-Ibarra for talent, especially in Ballet
Ella McWilliams for talent, especially in Ballet
Lorena Morissette for talent, improvement, and achievement in Ballet
Kaia Neal for talent, especially in Ballet; for growth in dance and personhood
Mila Neal for talent in Acting and Musical Theatre and growth in dance and personhood
Lincoln Oakley for improvement in Jazz
Rachelle Payandeh for stepping in to perform “SHOUT!” when we needed her
Drue Reitenbach for improvement in Jazz
Mia Reitenbach for huge improvement in all disciplines
Sadie Reyburn for improvement in Acro
Kaitlin Rupp for perpetual Preparedness
Lincoln Russo for talent for dance, and achievement in Tap
Victoria Russo for improvement in Acro; and talent for dance
Kirsten Volberg for setting the bar in conditioning courses and being an excellent though sometimes bossy leader, in tap*
Ruby Wasylik for improvement in Ballet
Sadie Wolf for improvement in Ballet
Talia Yao for talent and incredible focus for such a young dancer!
Preparedness = having practiced. A prepared student has practiced before each class and so is improved for each class and ready to move on in each class.
* These honours were announced on stage in one of the five “Connected” shows.
2017 – 2018 Competition Scholarship Awards
The following is a list of Performing Courses whose performing piece(s) received Scholarship Awards from 2017 – 2018 competitions. Scholarship Awards to a group number from competitions are divided evenly among the number’s cast and distributed in the form of tuition reduction scholarships for the following year.
For a complete listing of all competition placements and awards, please see the “Connected” show program (copies available at the School).
Professional Training Division Half Day Program Classical: “Ballet Baroque” (also known as Vivaldi: Italian Baroque) choreographed by Jocelyn Wozencroft, placed 1st in its category in every regional competition it was entered into and received a full scholarship for the “No Borders Group Challenge” competition from Surrey Festival of Dance. In the 2018 Festival du Ballet competition, the piece was awarded the second highest score of all Accelerated (= highest level) groups of the competition (all categories and ages) with a $75 cash award.Total Competition Scholarship Awards not including No Borders Entry Scholarship ($150): $75
Tap 3 Closed: “Crabbuckit” (also known as “The Crabs in the Bucket”) choreographed by Hailey Caulfield Postle, placed 1st in its category in every competition it was entered into was the Highest Scoring Tap Number Age 12 and under, of all Peak Invitational 2017 – 2018 competitions in the province of B.C., and were invited to perform at the Peak Provincial Honours Performance and presented with a $100 cash award. Total Competition Scholarship Awards: $100
Professional Training Division Half Day Program Contemporary Ballet: “Pair Bonds” choreographed by Cori Caulfield, placed 1st in its category in every regional competition into which it was entered and received a full scholarship for the “No Borders Group Challenge” competition from Surrey Festival of Dance. Surrey Festival of Dance also awarded the Most Outstanding Ballet Group of the entire Ballet Section of the Festival, and the Visions Electronics and Ritz Catering scholarships totalling a $100 cash award. At the “No Borders Group Challenge”, the piece was selected as the representative from the Intermediate age level Ballet/Modern/Contemporary competition category to the “No Borders” Grand Championships and was awarded a $500 cash award; it placed 2nd the “No Borders” Grand Championships and was awarded a $500 cash award for that honour. In the 2018 Festival du Ballet competition, the piece was awarded a $100 cash award as the High Score Accelerated (= highest level) group of the competition (all categories and ages). Total Competition Scholarship Awards not including No Borders Entry Scholarship ($150): $1200
Performance Training Company Tap: “We Speak No Americano” placed 1st in its category in every competition into which it was entered and won the Junior Tap/Stage/Lip Synch/Musical Theatre category of the “No Borders Group Challenge” with a $500.00 cash award. At Synergy Kelowna, it was named Tap Number of the Year with a $100 cash award. Total Competition Scholarship Awards: $600
2017 – 2018 Caulfield School of Dance Scholarship Fund
Individual Recognition Awards
Specific criteria for Caulfield School of Dane Scholarship Fund Individual Recognition Awards are in the Guidebook. Substantial support for financial need is given annually but only scholarship awards to students who have merited recognition as per the criteria are announced.
Note: All scholarship recipients must please submit a note of thanks to “Dear Donor” to the Office before any scholarship is applied. We forward notes to individuals and businesses who contribute to the Silent Auction, etc.
The following students are the publicly announced 2017 – 2018 scholarship recipients from the Caulfield School of Dance Scholarship Fund:
Georgia Bishop Excellence in Hip Hop and Contemporary Dance
Braden Burasee Excellence in Hip Hop
Kiara Burasee Improvement and Excellence in Hip Hop
Conrad Cahoon Outstanding Improvement in Ballet
Katherine Cahoon Performance, Multidisciplinary Achievement Award
Aerin Chow Talent, Preparedness, and Achievement in Ballet and Jazz
Nyla Devaras Leadership
Aaliyah Fiorda Outstanding Multidisciplinary Improvement; Improvement and Excellence in Acro
Alexis Fiorda Improvement in Contemporary Dance; Excellence in Acro
Rebekah Gill Performance and Achievement in Tap
Chiara Go Improvement in Acro
Kaia Goddard Performance, Outstanding Multidisciplinary Achievement Award*
Alejandra Isea Performance and Leadership
Isabella Jiwani Improvement in Ballet
Keira LaCroix Leadership
Dasha Marinets Improvement and Excellence in Acro
Mila Neal Improvement and Excellence in Acro
Kaia Neal Achievement in Ballet*; Improvement and Excellence in Acro
Mila Neal Improvement in Jazz, Achievement in Acro
Sabina Nelson Achievement in Ballet*
Rachelle Payandeh Achievement in Contemporary Dance
Mia Reitenbach Improvement in Acro and Jazz
Hailey Rekunyk Preparedness and Achievement in Ballet and Contemporary Ballet
Victoria Russo Performance, Preparedness, and Improvement in Ballet and Jazz
Mena Spasova Achievement in Voice*
Kirsten Volberg Performance and Achievement in Tap*
Caitlyn Woo Performance; Achievement in Ballet*
Elena Yu Achievement in Contemporary Ballet
Performance = excellent performance expression in all classes, rehearsals, and performances.
* These honours were announced on stage in one of the five “Connected” shows
Caulfield School of Dance Scholarship Fund Royal Academy of Dance Awards
Caulfield School of Dance Scholarship Fund Royal Academy of Dance Program awards are determined by exam results. All other Awards from the Fund are given based upon criteria listed in your Guidebook.
For earning exceptional marks for Royal Academy of Dance Examinations:
Portia Becker Grade II
Chiara Go Grade II
Nicola Coulter Grade V
Carter Hayes Intermediate
Caitlyn Woo Intermediate
Sue Lee Advanced
Caulfield School of Dance had 51 candidates from Grade I to Advanced I stand their examinations: 30 earned marks of “Merit” and 21 earned marks of Distinction. Congratulations to all our 2017- 2018 R.A.D. examination candidates!
All recipients must please submit a note of thanks to “Dear Donor” to the Office before scholarship will be applied. We will forward notes to individuals and businesses who contribute to our Silent Auction, etc.
Caulfield School of Dance Travel Scholarship Awards*
Performing Arts Festivals from all over BC, which meet strict criteria, can select representatives at allowable age levels in specified disciplines to compete in the Provincial Festival of Performing
Arts BC. To help with travel expenses to represent our School and our Region to compete in the Performing Arts B.C.’s “Provincials” in Victoria:
Sabina Nelson
Mena Spasova
Caitlyn Woo
All recipients must please submit a note of thanks to “Dear Donor” to the Office before scholarships will be applied. We will forward notes to individuals and businesses who contribute to our Silent Auction, etc.
Caulfield School of Dance had three students compete at “Provincials”:
Sabina Nelson, was selected as the Age 12 and Under, 2018 Ballet Provincial Champion.
Mena Spasova, was selected as the 2018 Runner Up Provincial Champion for Age 14 and Under Voice: Musical Theatre.
Caitlyn Woo, was the 2018 2nd Runner Up Provincial Champion for Age 13 to 15 Ballet.
We are very proud of our students selected as representatives to “Provincials”:
Kaia Goddard, age 14, was selected by the Pacific West Performing Arts Festival as the Age 14 and
Under Voice: Musical Theatre Provincial Representative Alternate.
Sabina Nelson, age 12, was selected by Surrey Festival of Dance as their Junior (ages 12 and Under) Ballet Provincial Representative.
Hailey Rekunyk, age 17, was selected by the Pacific West Performing Arts Festival as the Senior (ages 16 to 20) Ballet Provincial* Representative Alternate.
Mena Spasova, age 14 was selected by the Pacific West Performing Arts Festival as the Age 14 and Under Voice: Musical Theatre Provincial* Representative.
Caitlyn Woo, age 13, was selected by Surrey Festival of Dance as their Intermediate (ages 13 – 15) Ballet Provincial Representative.
Caulfield School of Dance Award of Excellence*
This is the ultimate scholarship award that can be given by the Fund. It is only given in years when there is a student who has set an example of excellence that is unparalleled.
Katherine Cahoon
* This honour was announced on stage in one of the five “Connected” shows.
2017 – 2018 Private Donor Recognition Scholarship Awards
While some funds from private donations are distribution without public acknowledgment, the following awards are donated to Caulfield School of Dance by private donors to be distributed publicly. All private donation scholarship recipients are exempt from the standards applied to recipients from the CSD Scholarship Fund. Criteria are dictated by the Donors.
Azra Collier Young Scholarship Award
Donated by Cori Caulfield for a student or students who have demonstrated beauty of person (especially in their relationship to younger children) and a passion for dance.
Shanna Lilley
Cori has given a scholarship in the memory of Azra Collier Young every year since her death at the age of 14 in the summer of 2009. Azra had a generosity of spirit that is rare in this world and a love for children and dance that she hoped to make a career from.
“Shanna Lilley is a very special young woman who has demonstrated a gift for teaching. Shanna has given generously of her time and passion to helping younger dancers succeed by being a devoted teaching assistant. Shanna has a love for dance and has worked very hard this year to improve. And so she has. And Shanna has grown so much this year as a person. I feel that her work to help others has been a big part of that.” — Cori Caulfield
Please submit a note of thanks to Cori Caulfield.
Jennifer Jackson Scholarship Award
Donated by Brian Peacock in memory of Jennifer Jackson, a dear friend of Hilary Caulfield (Mother of Cori and Hailley) who gave financial support to the Fund for many years annually until her untimely death in December 2012. Jennifer stipulated that the gift be for a student (or students) who:
- has a passion for dance;
- likes to create new things, is innovative;
- works hard and stays focused;
- helps when needed or asked;
- has the desire to be the best they can be;
- works well with others at all times, good or bad.
“Natalie, we think this sounds exactly like you!” — Cori Caulfield
Natalie Phang
Please submit a note of thanks to Brian Peacock.
The Inaugural Donna Knapp Scholarship Award*
“Donna came to my Adult tap class in 1992. After the class I said she could only come back if she was going to teach the class. She thought I was kidding but I know a tapper when I see one. By the next fall she was the main tap teacher at Caufield School of Dance. For six years, Donna encouraged and guided Caulfield’s students, one of whom was six-year-old Hailley Caulfield who would go on to become an acclaimed professional dancer and the Head of our extraordinarily successful Tap Department. Donna’s legacy of excellence is palpable every day at this School.
“Today, Donna is offering a scholarship to the students of Caulfield School of Dance. Principally, to support students pursuing ‘Musical Theatre’ and ‘Tap Dance’, Donna’s special loves. However, the award is open to students of all the performing arts at the discretion of the School faculty.
“Donna always spoke of the wonderful excitement and career opportunities available in the performing arts. She also encouraged those who were only pursuing the arts as a casual pastime. She and her husband John believe that skill in the arts goes a long way towards improving the self-confidence of our young – helping them in whatever direction they choose in life.
“Today, at the age of seventy-three, Donna is one of the thousands of Canadians suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. For that reason, she cannot be here to offer her scholarship in person. Her husband, John, tells us she is happy and continues to dance – whenever the mood takes her, which is often.
“Kiara is hardworking and quietly determined to do her best in every discipline we offer at Caulfield School of Dance. For some people the “razzle dazzle ‘em” of Broadway styles like musical theatre and tap comes easily. Kiara is a quiet and gentle person who has grown in her self-confidence and as a performer so much to be able to succeed in these genres. I believe Donna would be delighted to know that Kiara is the inaugural recipient of her award.” — Cori Caulfield
Kiara Burasee
Please submit a note of thanks to Donna and John Knapp.
* This honour was announced on stage in one of the five “Connected” shows.