Barbara Treleaven
Barbara Treleaven was the original owner and director of Barbara Treleaven School of Dancing. She taught classes beginning in 1958 in a church hall until a studio was built in her family home in North Bay. Barbara received the major part of her dance training in Toronto as a student of Betty Oliphant, the principal of the National Ballet residential school in Toronto. Barbara became the assistant teacher to Miss Oliphant when she had her own studio in Toronto.
Barbara also travelled to England and Europe to study and while there she qualified for her I.S.T.D. stage branch certificate (Imperial Society Teachers of Dancing). She also holds her classical ballet certificate from the Cecchetti Society.
During her professional career Barbara danced in a number of Canadian productions including appearances in the C.N.E. Grandstand shows starring Victor Borge, Tony Martin, and Ed Sullivan. Aswell, for three years she was the head girl of the dancers for Wayne and Shustters’ famous "Mother Goose" pantomime which was presented in Montreal, Toronto, and London Ontario.
Barbara has been an active member of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association since 1951 in both ballet and tap branches as guest teacher, board member, and examiner. She was instrumental in establishing the dance section of the Kiwanis Festival of Music and Dance. She also organized and directed the beginning of the Artsperience Dance Program at Canadore College and remained as a Dance Consultant for years.
In 2004 Barbara was inducted into the North Bay Musicians and Entertainers Hall of Recognition. She was honoured for her enthusiasm and unparalleled dedication to the development of dance arts in the North Bay area. Recently, she received the CDTA National Volunteer Award for her contribution over the last 50 years to this prestigious teachers association.
Although the ownership and direction of Barbara Treleaven School of Dancing is now by Denise Cote, her youngest daughter, Barbara is still extremely involved.
