DanceWorks Festival Performance Highlights
Congratulations to every PDC dancer involved in the DanceArts 2011 festival. Ballet and Modern days were filled with joyous, thoughtful, breathtaking performances by Pacific Dance Centre students, a tribute to their hard work and commitment to dance, reflected in the awards bestowed upon them by the adjudicators and jurors.
The following pieces were chosen to perform at the Gala Performance on Friday, May 13:Simple Gifts; (Tessa Charlesworth, Sarah Coupar, Brooke De Armond, Megan Greenwood, Andie Halliburn, Natassja Marc, Alanna Sager)
Passages; the Rose Bowl winner, awarded to the most outstanding performance in Ballet. (Anna Baker, Alison Bell, Kendra Bidwell, Nicola Bukovec,Tessa Charlesworth, Mathilde Claude, Sarah Coupar, Jaime Crozier, Brooke De Armond, Stephanie Gosvig, Megan Greenwood, Andie Halliburn, Chelsea Kutyn, Natassja Marc, Sophie McDonough, Alanna Sager, Alex Smith, Elanor Teel, Adrianna Thompson, Jeanette Wieringa)
Aliceless: the Rose Bowl winner, awarded to the most outstanding performance in Contemporary. (Tessa Charlesworth, Sarah Coupar, Brooke De Armond, Andie Halliburn, Natassja Marc, Alanna Sager, Jeanette Wieringa) Choreographer- Kathy Lang
Ballet awards, Teacher; Maureen Eastick
Megan Greenwood; Kasia Myronyk Trophy: awarded to an expressive ballet dancer at the Intermediate or Senior level.
Stephanie Gosvig; Toes 'n' Taps Gift Certificate and the Family Food mart Trophy for an outstanding performer in ballet.
Sarah Coupar: the Committee's Silver Bowl, awarded to a dancer showing the greatest potential in classical ballet.
Emily Spargo; Dance Victoria cash award for her excellent work in the Ballet master class.
Contemporary Awards, Teacher; Kathy Lang
Mijas: the Vernon Contemporary Dance Bowl awarded to an outstanding group in Contemporary displaying a mastery of technique. (Tessa Charlesworth, Sarah Coupar, Brooke De Armond, Andie Halliburn)
Andie Halliburn: Young Choreographer Award Contemporary
Alanna Sager; the DanceWorks Contemporary/Ballet Trophy, awarded to a dancer for mastery of modern technique supported by strong ballet technique.
Sarah Coupar; Dance Victoria cash award for her excellent work in the Contemporary master class.
Danceworks Festival 2011 Competition
Results are in for the Danceworks Solo competition,and PDC dancers acquitted themselves beautifully.
Aleah Rodrigues: runner-up Junior Ballet
Brooke DeArmond: winner Intermediate Ballet.
Elanor Teel 3rd.
Tessa Charlesworth: winner Senior Ballet.
Andie Halliburn 2nd
Alanna Sager and Natassja Marc ( tied) 3rd place.
Natassja Marc: winner Intermediate Modern.
Brooke DeArmond 2nd.
Tessa Charlesworth: winner Senior Modern.
Brittany Barraclough,PDC ballet student 2nd
(prepared by Kirkwood Academy and Kathy Lang )
Sarah Coupar,PDC ballet student,winner Senior Jazz
(prepared by Dansko studio)
Congratulations dancers,and teachers Maureen Eastick (ballet) and Kathy Lang (modern).
Founded in 1978, Pacific Dance Centre is known for its tradition of excellence in ballet performance and training. Recognized by the Federal Government of Canada as a Registered Educational Institution, Pacific Dance provides an enriched program for the professionally oriented student as well as general training for children.
The mission of the school is to cultivate each child to the fullest extent of their abilities. In a caring and nurturing environment, every student is challenged to reach high levels of technical proficiency. The strength of the program and its commitment to creative development is reflected in the success of the many fine students who are involved in advanced studies in many of Canada’s most prestigious dance companies.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Maureen Eastick, A.R.A.D., B.F.A., Pacific Dance has developed into a total training environment for young ballet dancers. The aspiring performers receive a thorough grounding in ballet through the Royal Academy of Dance.
I have two girls at Pacific Dance Centre. They have been at the
studio for 6 years. This studio with its professional teaching staff,
is way more than just a ballet school, it is a place where children
are taught respect, discipline, public speaking, volunteerism,
compassion, excellence, perseverance, working in groups and striving
for goals. Children are acknowledged and rewarded for both excellence and effort at beautiful award ceremonies. Children are given the opportunity to perform in a full length ballet at the Royal Theatre every second year that includes every child in the studio and rivals professional productions in my view. The stories are well thought out, the costumes are breathtaking and the whole experience is invaluable for the kids. The ballet is accompanied by an outstanding pianist and the school is run by a wonderful, caring administrator who is knowledgeable and always willing to help. This is a very well run studio where good technique is practiced and valued and we are thrilled to be a part of it.
Lindiann Hopkins
Discovering Pacific Dance Centre was a wish come true. At the age of sixteen, Nadia was welcomed into the senior level. At Pacific Dance Centre, Nadia received exemplary classical ballet training and stimulating, stunning, professional choreography, always combined with a visible pure love and passion for dance. Mrs. Eastick consistently shared with her students the artistry of ballet and gave to each and everyone, an appreciation for the discipline, training, and dedication that is required to become a professional dancer.
Embraced by kindness and support, Mrs. Eastick’s students excel in their dance ability, know they are respected, and are always seen to leave the studio smiling. My daughter will always hold dear her hours spent in Mrs. Eastick’s classes and be deeply grateful for her counsel and sincere support. Our entire family has enjoyed being involved with Pacific Dance Centre and will continue to be.
Judi and Chris Boucher
From interview with Grania Litwin, Times Colonist, June 14, 2007
“I have a huge respect for the quality of Maureen’s school and a huge regard for her skills as a teacher. I’m also deeply supportive of her artistry….and glad to have the opportunity to say publicly what an effective and inspiring teacher she is.”
Mavis Staines, Artistic Director, National Ballet School
Pacific Dance Centre was part of our lives for 13 years. In the later years my daughter spent five days a week training in RAD ballet. Her training was of the highest calibre and I feel fortunate that such a school is available in Victoria. The training with Mrs. Eastick was at a level that allowed Megan to successfully audition for professional summer programs at both the Banff Centre for the Arts and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School five summers running. Pacific Dance Centre was a home away from home for my daughter. The faculty and staff were like family and provided a safe respectful environment in which I did not hesitate to leave my daughter for several hours a day. During these years my daughter was taught not only to dance but the value of hard work, professionalism, and dedication which crossed over into both her personal life and school life. She was taught to strive for perfection, attention to detail and how to work respectfully with a group. She was given opportunity to compete in local festival competitions which led to the opportunity to compete provincially and have contact with other ballet students training in other centres throughout the province. All classes at all levels are accompanied by live piano which is a rarity these days. The school has graduated many students that went on to professional careers and the students are given opportunities to take master classes and see professional companies that come to Victoria. Pacific Dance Centre is the premier school for students of ballet on the Island.
Sue McAllister
At Pacific Dance Centre, we strive to maintain the high standards that make involvement in dance a rewarding experience for every student. The following information answers the most frequently asked questions that arise regarding studio policies.
Fee payments
The annual registration fee per family is $25.00 and is due on September 12, 2011. Payment of annual class fees may be made a) in full, dated September 12, 2011 b) in 3 installments with cheques post-dated September 12, 2011, January 15, 2012, and April 15, 2012 or c) in monthly payments of 10 post-dated cheques from September 2011 to June 2012. A $25.00 charge will be billed for NSF cheques.
Missed Lessons
There is no refund for a missed lesson. A make-up class can be arranged with the teacher and should be done within two weeks of the missed class. Should a student wish to withdraw from the studio, we ask for one month’s notice. All post-dated cheques beyond the month will be returned.
Examinations
R.A.D. examinations are not scheduled annually, but only when the Artistic Director judges that there are students who have progressed to a stage where they would benefit from the experience. Selection is based on the desire and readiness of the student. Candidates must be taking the appropriate number of classes per week (minimum two classes) to be considered. 'In house' exams are held at the discretion of the Director of the Junior School.
Festival
The Artistic Director may select some students for participation in a local dance festival, where the performance experience would be of value to the students. Participation in a dance festival is not an automatic part of attendance at PDC. Students attending PDC may be entered in the ballet section of festival only by Mrs. Eastick. Other disciplines not taught by PDC are exempt from this policy. Additional costs involved with festival participation include registration fees and costume costs.
Dress code
Upon registration the student will provided with detailed instructions regarding the appropriate outfit. Each level has unique requirements. Students are expected to wear the proper dancewear for their level.
Girls hair must be worn in a bun.
Young students
Parents are encouraged to drop off and pick up their children in the main lobby. Teachers are only responsible for students inside the classroom.
Procedure to address a concern
Speak to PDC’s Administrator, Mrs. Keenlyside. She is able to assist with most matters. If necessary she will arrange a time for parents to speak with the teacher with either a phone call or meeting.