2022 Dance Scholarships Awarded

The Sunshine Coast Dance Society is pleased to announce the following winners of our 2022 dance scholarship awards. Adjudications for the awards occurred in April and at the end of June 2022 with a total of $4,200 awarded this year.

Lois Smith Senior Ballet awards went to:

  • Natalie Martin: $1500
  • Eibhlin Minatsis: $750

Lois Smith Junior Ballet award went to:

  • Annah Kotai: $250

Sunshine Coast Dance Society awards went to:

  • Annika Bergman: Jazz $250
  • Mya Perry: Hip Hop $250
  • Francesca Manson: Contemporary $250
  • Alison Girard: Lyrical $500
  • Andrea Villaneuva: Contemporary $250
  • Sophia Cimbala: $200

It is also interesting to note several of the award recipients have been accepted into prestigious summer and fall dance programs to enhance their dance studies. Natalie Martin was accepted into a summer dance program with the Boston Ballet, Anna Kotai will be heading off to an Alberta Ballet summer intensive program, and Chatelech secondary school graduate Alison Girard has been accepted into the Mather Dance Company Bridge Program in Los Angeles, an 11-month dance program that bridges the gap between competitive and professional dance.

2018 Dance Scholarships

The SCDS will be holding the 2018 Auditions for the annual Dance Scholarship Awards from 12pm to 3:30pm on Sunday June 24, 2018.

This year the Sunshine Coast Dance Society is pleased to advise that three awards will be awarded at the judges discretion:

  • $1000 – Lois Smith Scholarship for Excellence in Ballet (in memory of Lois Smith) Classical or contemporary ballet may apply. Please, no point shoes.
  • $1000 – Scholarship for Excellence in Modern Dance (co-sponsored by the Baris Foundation and the Sunshine Coast Dance Society) (styles include jazz, lyrical, tap, or hip-hop)
  • $500 – Sunshine Coast Dance Society Award for Original Choreography (Solos or Duets only)

The auditions will immediately follow a 45 minute warm-up class. Applicants for the Ballet and Modern Dance Scholarships must attend the warmup class. (Attendance in the warmup is optional for applicants of the Choreography Award).

The event will be held at:
Coast Academy of Dance,
5645 Wharf Ave
Sechelt

Please plan to arrive by 11:50AM to sign in before the warmup.

To be eligible for a scholarship applicants must:

  • Be 14 years of age or older.
  • Have a minimum of 3 years formal dance training

Ballet or Modern Dance Scholarship

Participants applying for either the Lois Smith Ballet Scholarship, or the Scholarship for Excellence in Modern Dance, are required to:

  • Fill out and email the attached application by June 19, 2018.
  • Attend the warm-up class held at 12pm on Sunday June 24.
  • Be prepared to perform a dance solo (3 min. max.) that best exhibits your dance abilities for each award entry.

Auditions to be held from 1PM to 2:30PM.

Choreography Scholarship

Participants applying for the Choreography Award are required to:

  • Fill out and email the attached application by June 19, 2018
  • Be prepared to have either themselves or no more than 2 other dancers, perform their Choreographic entry. Please arrive at studio by 2pm.

Auditions to be held 2:30-3:30pm.

Application Due Date

Email the completed application form, (and letter of recommendation – optional) no later than Monday June 19, 2018.

Email to the address below, or call Yvette at 604 885-2476 if you have questions.

The successful applicants will be informed of the results by July 1, 2018.

Please email your application to: info@sunshinecoastdance.com

A printable PDF of this information is available here.

 

Sat April 7, 2018: The Source Returns to Sechelt!

The Source Dance Company from Vancouver returns to Sechelt with the power-packed dance show, “Conversations at the Station.” 

Experience this high energy talented troupe of young adult dancers playing out a myriad of emotions, situations, and even a “flashmob” set against gritty Grand Central station-style staging.

Combining hip hop, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and tap dancing, along with senior level dancers from Danceworks, Dominique’s School of Dance, and Coast Academy of Dance, this show will be the highlight of the spring Sunshine Coast dance season. A great live event for all ages! 

Proceeds from the show will go to help fund annual scholarships for our talented coast “emerging artist” dancers!

Date: Saturday, April 7, 2018:

Times: There’s a 2PM matinee show and an evening show at 7:30PM.

Cost: Student tickets only $15. Adult tickets $20 (in advance) or $25 (at the door – if available.)

Get your tickets online now…

Tickets are also available at:

Check out these videos to see their blend of jazz, lyrical, hip-hop and contemporary dancing:

 

2017 Dance Scholarship Applications Due June 19

Sunshine Coast Dance Society will be holding auditions and hosting the annual 2017 Dance Scholarship Awards from 11 am to 2 pm on Sunday June 25, 2017.

The auditions will immediately follow a 45-60 minute warm-up class facilitated by renowned dance artist Sylvain Brochu. Applicants must attend both.

The event will be held at the Coast Academy of Dance, 5645 Wharf Avenue, Sechelt. Please plan to arrive by 10:50AM to sign in.

This year the Sunshine Coast Dance Society is pleased to advise that three awards will be available, including:

  • $1000 – Lois Smith Scholarship for Excellence in Ballet (in memory of Lois Smith). Classical or contemporary ballet may apply. Please, no point shoes.
  • $1000 – Baris Foundation Scholarship for Excellence in Modern Dance (jazz, lyrical, tap, or hip-hop).
  • $500 – Sunshine Coast Dance Society Award for Original Choreography.

Students and dancers of any age may apply for the awards.

To be eligible for the scholarship applicants must:

  • Be an advanced dancer 13 years of age or older.
  • Have a minimum of 3 years dance training or experience.

Participants are required to:

  • Fill out and email the attached application by June 19, 2017.
  • Attend the warm-up class held at 11AM on Sunday June 25. Auditions will be adjudicated from noon to 2 pm by three guest adjudicators.
  • Be prepared to perform a dance solo (3 minutes maximum) that best exhibits your movement for each award entry.

Email the completed application form and letter of recommendation (if applicable) no later than Monday June 19, 2017. Call Yvette at 604 885-2476 if you have questions.

The successful applicants will be informed of the results by July 1, 2017.

Please email your application to: info@sunshinecoastdance.com.  Here is the application form.

June 20, 2016: Deadline to Apply for Scholarships

The Dance Society will be holding Auditions and hosting the annual 2016 Dance Scholarship Awards from 10am to 1pm on Sunday June 26, 2016.

The auditions will immediately follow a 45-minute warm-up class and applicants must attend both. The event will be held at Dominique’s School of Dance, Sunshine Coast Highway in Gibsons. Please plan to arrive by 10AM sharp!

This year the Sunshine Coast Dance Society is pleased to advise that three awards will be available including:

  1. $1000 Scholarship for Excellence in Ballet (in memory of Lois Smith)
    Please, no point shoes.
  2. $1,000 Scholarship for Dance Excellence in any genre
    (Thanks to the Baris Charitable Foundation)
  3. $500 Scholarship for Dance Excellence in any genre

To be eligible for the scholarship applicants must:

  • Be an advanced dancer 13 years of age or older.
  • Have a minimum of 3 years dance training or experience.

Participants are required to:

  1. Fill out the attached application.
  2. Attend the warm up class held at 10AM on Sunday June 26. Auditions will be adjudicated from 11:00AM to 1:30PM by three guest adjudicators.
  3. Be prepared to perform a dance solo (3 min. max) that best exhibits your movement qualities (no exam pieces please).

Email the completed application form and letter of recommendation (if applicable) no later than Monday June 20, 2016. Please call Diana at 604 649 9275 if you have any questions.

April 23, 2016: Deadline for Advertising in The SOURCE Dance Program

The Sunshine Coast Dance Society is proud to sponsor the return of “THE SOURCE DANCE COMPANY”, at the Raven’s Cry Theatre on Saturday May 7th, 2016. This dynamic group of rising professional dancers from across Canada bring a fresh cast of over 30 dancers and a new program, choreographed by a variety of top choreographers from across Canada and the USA. The theme of this year’s show – “Heroes and Heroines” – is an original production inspired by the “The Hunger Games” movie and the popular TV reality show “Survivor.”

We invite you to become an advertising sponsor of this dynamic dance performance in our program. The Sunshine Coast Dance Society is a registered charity, and this performance is a fundraising event. The performers work for free, and the net proceeds from this performance are used to provide coast dance scholarships and support dance residency programs.

There is an opportunity for some very affordable advertising in the program, as detailed below, while supporting local dancers.

  • $30.00 per 1/8 Page Ad
  • $50.00 per 1/4 Page Ad
  • $85.00 per 1/2 Page Ad
  • $150.00 per Full Page Ad – includes 2 Complimentary Tickets to the performance on May 7, 2016

This would be a great place to advertise to an audience that is interested in the arts, dance, young people and fitness.

Artwork must be provided by April 23rd. If you are buying the 1/8 page ad, you can just subject your business card if you wish.

Your ad layout or business card can be emailed to info@sunshinecoastdance.com.

We will follow up with an invoice for your ad at a later date.

Thank you for considering this request. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Yvette Cormier
Treasurer, Sunshine Coast Dance Society

May 7, 2016: The Source Dance Company in Sechelt

The Source Dance Company from Vancouver has been helping the Dance Society support local dancers by travelling here each year, on their own dollar, to perform at the Raven’s Cry Theatre.

Their high-energy performances are always entertaining, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Treat yourself to a night out on the town, while helping raise funds for dance scholarships and residencies here on the Sunshine Coast. Buy your tickets today!

You can buy them in person (cash only) at Starbucks or Pretty Natty Duds in Sechelt, or at Peggy Sue’s Boutique in Gibsons.

Or you can buy them online here.  (Note: only ADULT tickets can be purchased online. They are $25 plus surcharge).

source-2016-sechelt

Dec 11, 2015: The Ever-Popular Calla Verde is Back!

Calla Verde Flamenco was a huge hit the last time they visited Gibsons. Don’t miss this performance on Friday December 11th at 7:30 at the Heritage Playhouse. The event will also feature our silent auction fundraiser for the Dance Society.

And… Maria Avila will be offering Flamenco workshops the following day for both beginners and Level 1. (Email her at mariaavilaflamenco@gmail.com for details.)

 

calla-verde-2015