Celebrating a successful season

By Melissa Piche Times Contributor

As Expressions the Dance Gallery prepares for a summer break, the studio is celebrating not only a successful year on stage, but also the accomplishments of several dancers whose hard work and dedication continue to pay off.

The Strathmore-based studio took part in the Excel Dance Challenge in Red Deer, where dancers competed over three days and earned numerous awards May 8-10.

One of the highlights was receiving the Studio Spirit Award, a recognition that reflects the character of the dancers as much as their talent.

Among the dancers earning special recognition is Bella Damen, who is graduating from high school this year. While Damen has been dancing for several years, this was her first season competing on the competitive team and her first time performing a solo at competition.

Damen was chosen to perform in the high score dance off Sunday afternoon at Excel Dance Challenge and placed second in the overall competition for her division.

“It was so exciting,” she said. “I never get in a situation like that before. We were watching all the other performers, and they were just all so good. I kept looking at my teacher and saying, ‘I’m not going to compete against them.’ But when it was my time to go, I just had to gather myself and go. Honestly, I don’t think I remember what happened, but I did it, and I’m really proud of myself because I was really nervous.”

Competing solo was a personal challenge that Damen intentionally set for herself during her final year of high school. 

“We wanted to be able to show my progress with my ballet,” she said. “Being able to prove to myself that I could do it all on my own and find myself on stage was important. It being my last year, I really wanted to push myself.”

She credits much of her confidence to the support she received from her coach and choreographer, Jasmine Goulet.

“Jasmine made sure everything in my dance was tailored perfectly to me, so all my strengths were shown, and I just felt confident going in,” she said.

That support extended far beyond the coaching staff. Damen says one of her favourite parts of dancing at Expressions is the sense of community among the dancers.

“The girls are so talented and driven, and just getting to be part of that environment is so special,” she said. “They all knew that I was nervous and that it was my first time, and they would stand in the wings and cheer me on. It’s a really great community.”

When the awards were announced and her number was called for second overall in her division, she was stunned. 

“I was so shocked,” she said. “I gave it my best shot, but whatever happened, happened. Then they called my number and started playing my music. I got to collaborate with Jasmine on a lot of the music and the choreography and the costume. That made it super special and personal to me.”

Expressions owner and director Heather Thomas said Bella’s success is a perfect example of the opportunities available to dancers who choose to challenge themselves.

“We are not just competitive,” said Thomas. “We train recreational students, so they get an opportunity to showcase at the end of the season, but we do have the opportunity for kids to be able to compete if that’s what they choose.”

Thomas noted that many of the studio’s successful competitors began in recreational classes before advancing into the competitive program.

Recognition is also being given to Mia Srubowich of Chestermere and Hayley Butland of Strathmore, who earned opportunities to compete in the final dance-off alongside Damen.

All three dancers began as recreational dancers at Expressions before moving into competitive dance, demonstrating what dedication and quality training can accomplish.

The studio itself has a long history of helping young dancers develop those skills. Thomas said Expressions has been in business for 43 years and has spent more than two decades serving the Strathmore community. “We have students that I’ve had since babies all the way up through graduating,” she said.

As Damen looks toward graduation and a future career in healthcare, dance will continue to play an important role in her life. 

“Dance is always going to be part of my life,” she said. “I’m hoping to continue to do classes, and I’d love to teach someday.”

For Expressions the Dance Gallery, it is another reminder that success is measured not only by scores and awards, but by the confidence, sportsmanship and growth their dancers carry with them long after the music ends.