At 8 years old, one of my first solo competitions was Standing Ovation. I felt so many nerves going on stage by myself. However, with the staff providing so much support including the feedback from the adjudicators, those jitters soon dissipated.
Ballet was my favourite discipline when I was young, and although I didn’t know it at the time, it provided me the groundwork to train and excel in other styles down the road.
I had the opportunity to dance with Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Alberta Ballet Calgary, and had a lot of fun dancing each Christmas in productions like the Nutcracker.
I later developed more of a preference for Jazz, Contemporary, and Lyrical. While training more frequently, I began experiencing many knee dislocations. I was officially diagnosed with Patella Alta, and at 16, underwent reconstructive knee surgery. This cut into two years of competition in my mid teens. With constant physiotherapy and strength training, I was able to compete again my senior year. This was a huge milestone for me, as I was unsure at the time if I would ever be able to dance again or as intensely as I was accustomed to. Even though I transitioned more towards other disciplines, I was still recognized by adjudicators for my strong ballet foundation.
This past year after graduating, I signed my first professional contract, and was recruited by a European company to perform in Greece. I got to travel throughout the country’s many different islands, specifically Rhodes, and Kos, meeting wonderful new friends from around the world. Some especially memorable moments was dancing in productions such as Moulin Rouge, performing routines like the Can Can. I then signed as a soloist with an acrobatic duo, performing all across Kos Island. This summer, I experienced a setback with knee dislocation in my “good knee” and returned to Canada in August. Although my time was cut short in Europe, I’m optimistic from my past experience with corrective surgery, that with hard work and determination, I’ll be back dancing before I know it.
In the meantime, I love teaching dance to other young students, and I hope that my past experiences will help them in their own unique endeavours.
Competitions, specifically Standing Ovation, provides dancers with amazing opportunities to build confidence and framework to seek out dance careers after graduation. From the most novice dancer, first overcoming their nerves to later earning scholarships and future opportunities, the amazing feedback from the qualified adjudicators will help develop that skill set for any dancer.
I am forever grateful for the experiences and memories made while competing at Standing Ovation.
Ballet was my favourite discipline when I was young, and although I didn’t know it at the time, it provided me the groundwork to train and excel in other styles down the road.
I had the opportunity to dance with Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Alberta Ballet Calgary, and had a lot of fun dancing each Christmas in productions like the Nutcracker.
I later developed more of a preference for Jazz, Contemporary, and Lyrical. While training more frequently, I began experiencing many knee dislocations. I was officially diagnosed with Patella Alta, and at 16, underwent reconstructive knee surgery. This cut into two years of competition in my mid teens. With constant physiotherapy and strength training, I was able to compete again my senior year. This was a huge milestone for me, as I was unsure at the time if I would ever be able to dance again or as intensely as I was accustomed to. Even though I transitioned more towards other disciplines, I was still recognized by adjudicators for my strong ballet foundation.
This past year after graduating, I signed my first professional contract, and was recruited by a European company to perform in Greece. I got to travel throughout the country’s many different islands, specifically Rhodes, and Kos, meeting wonderful new friends from around the world. Some especially memorable moments was dancing in productions such as Moulin Rouge, performing routines like the Can Can. I then signed as a soloist with an acrobatic duo, performing all across Kos Island. This summer, I experienced a setback with knee dislocation in my “good knee” and returned to Canada in August. Although my time was cut short in Europe, I’m optimistic from my past experience with corrective surgery, that with hard work and determination, I’ll be back dancing before I know it.
In the meantime, I love teaching dance to other young students, and I hope that my past experiences will help them in their own unique endeavours.
Competitions, specifically Standing Ovation, provides dancers with amazing opportunities to build confidence and framework to seek out dance careers after graduation. From the most novice dancer, first overcoming their nerves to later earning scholarships and future opportunities, the amazing feedback from the qualified adjudicators will help develop that skill set for any dancer.
I am forever grateful for the experiences and memories made while competing at Standing Ovation.
