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"It went really well and it had a really themselves," said Blenner-Hasset. "Our with dance."
warm atmosphere and everybody had a theory is to train with the love of dance."
A professional dancer herself back in
great time."
Future dream for Hanson School of Dance Ontario, Cronin says a youth company
The Bourdon sisters are also joined would be to expand their dance studio would allow the serious students to
by Voula Douvis, who teaches the and partake on a senior trip to the United experience the reality of dancing beyond
intermediate and senior ballet programs States. the studios.
at the studio. But their niche market has
Medicine Hat College Conservatory of Beyond the disciplines of tap, jazz, ballet,
been the triple threat classes — classes
Dance instructor, Tanya Cronin, says modern, lyrical, musical theatre and hip
that allow students to expand on their
the dance program — which has been hop, Medicine Hat dance enthusiasts also
dance, acting and choral styles.
operating upwards of 20 years — has have the opportunity to enrol with the
"The musical theatre program is definitely added some fundraising performances to McConnell School of Highland Dance.
one of the most popular as well as the their yearly roster. Karen Pillman, founder and instructor
jazz and hip hop classes," said Bourdon.
"We have a couple of different charity
says the students are still talking about
For March, MHSPA has entered several
events we are performing for," said Cronin.
their trip to compete in Scotland, summer
musical theatre pieces into the Medicine
"Most of our events we are adding on are
2008.
Hat Rotary Music Festival, As well, the
fundraising for the community. "It was really life-changing for them, so
dancers will be competing this April in
that was really neat," said Pillman. strong to do our movements," she said.
the Dance Invasion competition at the
"Last year we did the Alberta Summer
Esplanade.
Games and the parade. It gives the students The highland dancers are fundraising to
"I think we have more opportunity to
more opportunities to perform and helps go back to Scotland in 2012. The students
compete as well, there can be four or five
Dance
MHSPA also added an adult pilates class
them become a part of the community." are also working hard to achieve higher
competitions in Alberta a month."
to the program schedule and has been
levels in competition. Highland dancing is also an individual
working with the school district to teach
There was a performance in October
some dance instruction in gym classes.
for Alberta Emergency Child Services "We held our annual competition in
sport, which can have its benefits.
organization and one in February with the January and we had dancers from all "You can compete on your own, you don't
"In the future we just want to continue
CORE Association. "We also performed over southern Alberta and Saskatchewan have to be part of group choreography,"
to have a place for kids to come and feel
in the Conservatory Gala at the College." participate," said Pillman. said Pillman. "You're always graded
good about themselves and learn and
Cronin says the program has received
stay active," said Bourdon. "Hopefully,
Pillman says students from all disciplines
individually.
so much funding and support from the
eventually I'd like to do a musical with the
and cultural backgrounds can enjoy the Pillman says the discipline of Highland
community, it's their way of giving back.
kids."
benefits of highland dancing. Dancing seems to be gaining in popularity.
The Conservatory dance program has
Hanson School of Dance, a dance
"It's definitely more aerobic than ballet,
The McConnell School of Highland Dance
over 370 students enrolled at this time
institution in the community for 17 years,
tap and jazz. You have to be incredibly
operates out of the Cultural Centre.
in the disciplines of tap, jazz, ballet, hip
has started offering in-studio and out-
hop, lyrical, musical theatre and modern.
of-studio dance session in all styles. One
They've added a new hip hop instructor to
session the dancers attended in Saskatoon
their ranks and are gearing up to compete
was with Mia Michaels, So You Think You
at two competitions this season, Dance
Can Dance choreographer and judge.
Power in Lethbridge and Dance Invasion
"It was just an amazing opportunity, this April at the Esplanade.
the kids will never forget it," said Kelly
"We are trying the new competition this
Blenner-Hasset, owner/operator.
year," said Cronin. "It is nice to have
MAINTENANCE
Hanson's studio has around 300 students something come here, I don't think
in both competitive and recreational enough of the dance world comes here
FREE STEEL FENCING
programs. Blenner-Hasset says the ... we always have to go to Calgary or
mainstays of dance — tap, jazz and ballet Saskatoon."
D
D
Computerized
— have been institutions in the field of
Cronin says the dance world has been
N
N
dance for years. The exposure of national
excited to see two new studios open for

A

A
dance television has brought other styles
business this year. NN
E
E
FORMING & SHEARING
of dance into the limelight.
of 18 guage steel
"I think our city is big enough now that
W
W
"With all the shows that have come out,
we can support a couple of different

O

O
dancing has really become quite popular,"
programs," she added. "All the programs R
R V
V
Prepainted Steel Roofing & Siding
Galvanized or Color
she said. "We also have one boy down at
are offering different things ... if the
U
U
the studio, so it's given a new twist on
studios could support each other, it could
O
O
• Profiled Mobile Home • Prepainted Screws
Metal in 8 Patterns • Custom Bending of
dance, it's not just for girls."
be fantastic."
Y

Y
• Steel Fencing Flashings (up to 14 ft.)
The competitive students at the studio have
D
A
A
• Galvanized Iron • Custom Bending of Fascia
Cronin's vision for the future would see
opportunities to compete in three events,
Medicine Hat establish a youth dance
I
L
I
L
D
(Sheet & Coil) • Custom Profiles Metal for
Kindersley Konnection, Dance Invasion
U
U
• Soffit Trailers and Campers
company.
(Airdre) and Swift Current competition.
B
B
S
S
• Louvres • Vinyl Siding
Blenner-Hasset says the students have
"This was my dream when I lived back
See our displays at
really come alive in the competitions and
in Ontario and something I would like
M
M “Metal Mart”
have placed very well.
to start," she said. "It would give dancers
STEEL ROOFING & SIDNG ALUMINUM & VINYL SIDING
•
03/24/09
a chance to perform outside of the
"Dancing builds confidence for kids
838 - 16th Street S.W., Medicine Hat
competition and regular recitals, for those
and gives them an outlet to express
Phone (403) 526-3342 Fax 526-6326
students who really want to do something
402445497
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