Anniversary recital for Expressions, the Dance Gallery
Aryssah Stankevitsch
Times Reporter
Coming into its 30th season, Expressions, the Dance Gallery will be celebrating with a 30th Anniversary Showcase Recital, on June 22 at the Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary.
Heather Thomas, artistic director and owner of the dance studio, runs all types of dance styles for dancers, ages three to 19: tap, ballet, jazz, musical theatre, contemporary, modern, acrobatics and hip hop.
A few clients drive to Expressions all the way from Calgary, where Thomas used to own a previous studio.
“Some of them have been here all their life; even some of our teachers started when they were three,” Thomas said. “Our faculty sort of comes up through the ranks, so they know how we like things taught and the standard in everything that we do. It’s great.”
If coaching doesn’t appeal to the students, many of Thomas’ prodigies have gone on to do cruise lines, circus acts, aerial arts, and professional shows such as Second City and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. One Expressions graduate even placed top eight in So You Think You Can Dance Canada.
“There’s lots of things for kids to do once they graduate from this studio, it depends upon what their interests are,” Thomas said.
Registration is open this month for the upcoming season. Tickets for the Anniversary Showcase Recital can be purchased at the Dance Gallery for $26. All 170 students will be in the show, which begins at 4 p.m.