New dance instructors bring higher quality of instruction to Strathmore

Times Reporter

 

Students of Expressions, the Dance Gallery had something to look forward to when the new season of classes officially start on September 13. For a few years, owners John and Heather Thomas had been looking for a new ballet instructor. 

“We’ve been looking for a Royal Academy of Dance, RAD, certified ballet teacher for a couple years. It’s quite hard to find somebody,” said John. 

Royal Academy of Dance is the ballet syllabus that’s generally taught in a good studio. All the good dancers out there have usually taken the RAD training syllabus. With the help of the Internet Heather found Gabriela Nastase in England. After interviewing Nastase and checking her references the Thomases knew they had found the perfect instructor. 

She has been involved in ballet as either a teacher or dancer since she was three years old. 

“They opened a dance school in my town and I wanted to (be like) my sister who is older, I was three at the time and she gave up in the meantime. At that time they used to come and select children from the country for the ballet school. So I was selected and then I went and did another exam at the school and they selected me again,” said Nastase. 

She spent nine years at the school before she began performing for the company. Nastase then spent the next 10 years working in theatre, in Bucharest, Romania. Eventually due to back problems Nastase had to begin thinking about something else, and that is when she started the process of becoming an RAD certified teacher. 

Nastase came with an added bonus, her husband Mihai Negud. 

Due to Negud’s well-rounded background a lot of new programs will be introduced, including acro-gymnastics program and body sculpting, which is about toning and flexibility. He will also be teaching sports conditioning. 

“We’re going to take all his great talents that he has and use them to our advantage here to really expand our programs,” said Heather.   

This is not the first time the couple has been in Canada; they previously spent a year in British Columbia. The couple, who are both originally from Romania, have travelled and taught all over the world. 

They met in Romania where they were both singers. Nastase was a singer and ballet dancer and Negud was a singer. It was through a military ensemble, where they used to go to sing for some competitions and shows. They have been together since they met approximately 20 years ago. Negud had performed in opera where he said he was a tenor mostly in choir. 

“We’re really privileged to have such talent come to our town,” said Heather. 

“Canada is one of the best countries for this business. It’s very organized competition, everything is set right. I’m talking about ballet,” said Negud. 

The couple signed a three-year contract with the Thomases, and they are excited to be in Strathmore. 

“We like (it) here because it is very close to a big city to escape from time to time,” said Negud.

“We like (the) big city as well but not all the time because it gets tiring if you are all the time there,” said Nastase. The couple arrived in Strathmore on August 22 with just their clothes. Thanks to donations and support from people in and around the community their apartment is already almost fully furnished and people are dropping off items at the Gallery for the couple. Classes are available to anyone who is interested, and there are two programs available, recreational and competitive. Whether it is for fun or sport, the same quality of instruction will be given to everyone.