FROM OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR:
Happy New Year!
Here at the School, we are back into a busy winter term. In their first week, diving right in, our third year dancers began to work again with guest choreographer Apolonia Velasquez to remount Kudeta, the wonderful work she created for them last fall. They will be performing the piece during Dance Ontario's Dance Weekend, 25th Anniversary Edition, taking place at the Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront, this weekend, from January 19-21.
Coming up on February 4th, we look forward to the first of our two annual Toronto auditions, when we will have the chance to meet some of those who will form next September’s incoming first year class.
This month, TDT is on tour in the Maritimes, so we thought we would focus in this issue on several of our east coast connections. We have a profile of our much-loved faculty member Ballet Bob, aka Robert McCollum, who this year celebrates his 25th anniversary of teaching in the Maritimes; a feature on our accomplished graduate Sarah Joy Stoker (1996), who has returned to dance in her native Newfoundland; and an interview with our talented second year student, Lucie Schmidt, who hails from Nova Scotia.
I hope you enjoy reading about our gifted faculty, students, and alumni and, on behalf of all of us at the School, I wish you the very best for 2018.
Here at the School, we are back into a busy winter term. In their first week, diving right in, our third year dancers began to work again with guest choreographer Apolonia Velasquez to remount Kudeta, the wonderful work she created for them last fall. They will be performing the piece during Dance Ontario's Dance Weekend, 25th Anniversary Edition, taking place at the Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront, this weekend, from January 19-21.
Coming up on February 4th, we look forward to the first of our two annual Toronto auditions, when we will have the chance to meet some of those who will form next September’s incoming first year class.
This month, TDT is on tour in the Maritimes, so we thought we would focus in this issue on several of our east coast connections. We have a profile of our much-loved faculty member Ballet Bob, aka Robert McCollum, who this year celebrates his 25th anniversary of teaching in the Maritimes; a feature on our accomplished graduate Sarah Joy Stoker (1996), who has returned to dance in her native Newfoundland; and an interview with our talented second year student, Lucie Schmidt, who hails from Nova Scotia.
I hope you enjoy reading about our gifted faculty, students, and alumni and, on behalf of all of us at the School, I wish you the very best for 2018.
Patricia Fraser
Artistic Director
Geanderson Mello, Mio Sakamoto in Moments & Doorways: Allen Kaeja © Cylla von Tiedemann
We are accepting applications to audition for our Professional Training Program for September 2018! Come train with us - apply to audition today and take the first step towards creating your future in dance. Start your journey at the School in our milestone 50th anniversary year.
Auditions (Toronto):
February 4, 2018 (there is still time to get your application in by end of day January 19!)
July 14, 2018
Click here to find out more about the program and the application process.
Photo courtesy of NBS
Our beloved “Ballet Bob”, otherwise known as Robert McCollum, has an illustrious background which may be unknown to many of his students and colleagues, so we caught up with him after the holiday break, and asked him to fill us in on some of his own dance history, including his long association with the Maritime provinces. “I always go back to the root meaning of the word ‘education’ – to bring forth that which is already within. I look at all my students – adults, children, professional students, recreational dancers, and I try to bring forth from each one their potential, their ‘inner dancer’."
Read Bob's full story.
© Richard Stoker
Sarah Stoker, our 1996 graduate, is fully immersed in the dance community in her native Newfoundland. We asked her to tell us about her path.
"For any young dancers and students, or those considering dance… I say go for it... If it is something you love and it provides you an important vehicle for self-discovery and expression, then I believe its challenges are worth it... I never did decide to be a dancer, but I ended up as one. It has been my greatest gift and source of learning and growth, and I forever cherish it."
Read Sarah's full story.
© Heather Jefferys
Our second year student Lucie Schmidt, a two-time recipient of the Nova Scotia Talent Trust scholarship to support her studies at the School, chats about dance training, performances, classmates, and class: "Why do people dance? It’s different for everyone, and it’s hard to answer this question in any one way. I feel it’s something that is built into you, and represents who you are as a person. I suppose for me it’s the desire to express myself. I am generally shy and quiet but when I dance, I have no difficulty expressing myself. I also LOVE class – it’s so addictive.”
Read Lucie's full story.
Katie Over © Cylla von TiedemannDance with us this summer - register for one of our summer intensives today!
Pre-professional Program (ages 16+): July 2-13, 2018
Teen Intensive (ages 13-16): July 23-27, 2018
"I learned more at the School’s two week intensive than in a whole year at my home studios. The faculty is incredibly dedicated to shaping you as a dancer. This creates a really special and engaging experience that I’d recommend for any dancer hungry to improve! " – Chelsea Mulholland, Pre-professional Program student 2016, current PTP student (San Francisco, USA)
FROM OUR COMMUNITY
BRODSKY / BARYSHNIKOV
We are so excited for the much anticipated Canadian premiere of BRODSKY / BARYSHNIKOV, a one-man theatrical performance that gives voice and verse to the poetry of Nobel laureate Joseph Brodsky, performed by Mikhail Baryshnikov.
The Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge Street
January 24-27, 2018 @ 8pm • Sunday, January 28, 2018 @ 3pm
Watch the show's social media channels to be able to snatch great tickets that may be released last minute for this sold-out show! Tickets are still available for the Exclusive VIP Post-show Cocktail Reception January 24, 2018 (available to January 24 Brodsky / Baryshnikov ticket-holders only)
Any questions or feedback? Please contact:
Lilya Sultanova | Communications & Outreach Manager
lilya@schooloftdt.org | 416-967-6887 ext. 25
80 Winchester Street, Toronto, ON, Canada M4X 1B2 | 416-967-6887
