Caulfield School of Dance students are improving their skills and broadening their horizons this summer.
Hailey Rekunyk recipient of the 2016 Eric Zennstrom Photography Scholarship to the MOVE: the company Intensive
Hailey Rekunyk, age 16, received the Erik Zennstrom scholarship which covered full tuition for one of the three weeks of the MOVE: the company summer intensive held at the Scotiabank Dance Centre from July 4 to 22. Hailley says, “with different faculty each week, we were able to learn different styles of contemporary. Every day we would have a ballet class, and contemporary repertoire class. The second and third week we also had a contemporary technique class. I had an amazing time taking class with a wide variety of teachers learning different techniques and styles of dancing.”
Hailley will also take classes at Ottawa Ballet School, August 4 to 12, and do the August 22 to September 2 Caulfield intensive weeks.
Madison Simms, recipient of David Spencer Endowment Encouragement Fund Scholarship for the 2016 UBC Summer Vocal Workshop
Madison Simms, age 17, received a scholarship through the David Spencer Endowment Encouragement Fund to participate in the 12-day 2016 UBC Summer Vocal Workshop which concluded July 16 when, at the UBC Old Auditorium, Madison performed a voice solo in recital. Madison also performed three ensemble pieces, one of which featured her in a pointe pas de deux choreographed by the dance instructor of the workshop, Caulfield School of Dance alumna, Lyndsey Britten. Madison was invited to the workshop by Nancy Hermiston, Chair of the UBC Voice Department who adjudicated Madison in voice competitions this spring. Ms. Hermiston also invited Madison to rehearse and perform as part of the UBC Opera Ensemble for their 2016-17 productions while she completes Grade 12.
Madison has also been invited back, with a scholarship, to the 2016 Arts Club Musical Theatre Intensive, August 2 to 20. She will perform in their end of program Showcase on August 20 at the Arts Club Granville Island Stage.
Three Caulfield School of Dance students were selected by audition to attend the 2016 School of Alberta Ballet summer intensive from July 11 to 29. Kaia Goddard, age 13, Shanna Lilley, age 14, and Lorena Morissette, age 12, had three weeks of training in ballet, pointe, character, conditioning, contemporary/ modern, and jazz. Kaia said, “when I was put in a lower level than I expected I was really disappointed but… decided that I would work even harder than ever… the next day I moved up a level. Even though the classes are quite easy, it gave me a lot of time to focus on my posture and turn out. I think I have improved greatly! I loved getting to know new people who all had the same interests as me… when I got the email I had made it into the full year program I was… so honoured that they chose me! Even though I had a blast here I am ready to be home and start classes at Caulfield again! This has been an amazing experience and I would never hesitate to come back…”
Shanna was placed in the highest level for Juniors. Kaia and Lorena were both offered significant scholarships to attend the School of Alberta Ballet full year program, but declined with gratitude. All three girls will do the Caulfield summer intensive weeks and Shanna will also do a week of summer training at Pacific Dance Arts.
Kirsten Volberg and Rebekah Gill, both age 15, took part in a week long Rockettes summer intensive in New York. Rebekah said, “I feel very fortunate to be in the 30% of dancers who were accepted into the Rockettes Summer Intensive.” Kirsten’s Mom Audrey said, “they practiced from 9am to 4pm each day and presented an amazing showcase at the end of the week.” The presentation included a short version of the iconic Wooden Soldiers piece. Kirsten said of her experience, “what I enjoyed most about the week was the precision required to pull off the formations, as well as the actual training techniques used by the Rockettes choreographers… so well thought out and mathematical.” Rebekah added, “we were trained exactly how the Rockettes are trained, and got to see what it was like to be a Rockette for a week. It was an amazing experience.”
Rebekah and Kirsten selected for the Rockettes 2016 Summer Intensive
Rebekah and Kirsten will be taking part in the Caulfield Summer Intensive Weeks, August 22 to September 2 with guest teachers including Kyle Vicente (hip hop), Danny Neilson (tap), and Hayden Fong (contemporary). Then they will participate in the Vancouver Tap Festival, September 1 to 4, where they will work with Ted Louis, take part in a two day choregraphy lab with Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards (who was also Michael Jackson’s private tap instructor over the course of 11 years), and have master classes with Jason Samuels-Smith, Derick Grant, and percussionist Allison Miller.
Tiana Pazdirek trained in the one week Modus Operandi intensive with Caulfield student Elle Cunnings and fellow Caulfield graduate Jaelan Mills. Tiana said, “we were definetly sore and feeling the demands we were putting on our bodies, but we… felt determined to challenge ourselves and apply the helpful corrections.”
Sophia Reid Gantzert training with Tasha Bertram in London.
Sophia Reid Gantzert, age 6, did a summer intensive for dancers aged 6 to 18 years at Danceworks International Ballet Academy, in London, UK, July 18 to 29, taught by internationally renowned dancers from leading ballet companies such as The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, New York City Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and Dutch National Ballet. A special thrill for Sophia was meeting Dutch National ballerina Michaela De Prince, featured in the documentary “First Position”.
These students are great examples of the truth that summer is the best time for performing arts training.