The Performers team consists of about 45-60 young dancers ranging in age from 7 to 18. Auditions are held in June/July to become a member of the team. To be eligible you must take a minimum of 4-6 hours a week in a variety of disciplines.
The Performers Youth Dance Company was started by Denise Treleaven Cote in 1982. Miss Denise’s goal was to start a youth dance company that would perform locally promoting dance and the arts throughout our community, as well as compete in the various dance styles at competitions. The Performers have been extremely successful at competitions both in the North Bay and surrounding area as well as throughout Ontario and the United States. The Performers have also performed abroad in such places as Spain, London, Euro Disney in Paris, Greece and Disney World in Florida.
The Performers team has been a launching pad for many BTSD dancers. Our alumni have gone on to have successful dance careers in both performing and teaching capacities and our students continue to impress and amaze choreographers, examiners, adjudicators, guest teachers and audiences wherever they go! Our team is unique in the fact that it is run by an executive made from parents. Along with the executive, all Performers parents play a large role in the group. All parents help fund raise for the group by working at Bingos and other fundraising events. Each parent also volunteers their time on one or more committees that do many different and very important tasks such as fixing/organizing costumes, building & transporting props, fundraising endeavors, organizing big and little sisters/brothers, etc. The group would really not be what it is without the commitment and dedication of the Performer parents!
Our competitive dance team takes dance lessons to the next level. Competitive dancers attend many more classes than recreational dancers and train in all disciplines of dance. They learn specific routines in different dance styles and travel to competitions to compete with their dance routines to win honours. Competitive dance allows dancers the opportunity to be a part of a team. It teaches them good sportsmanship – both when they win and when they do not, work ethic and discipline. It also gives the dancers a good sense of camaraderie and a healthy environment for learning and growing as dancers and as people. Many dance competitions give dance scholarships to workshops and conventions or intensive summer programs and can be a place where talented dancers can be scouted for other opportunities. Lastly, and very importantly, our competitive dancers are given the opportunity to take part in master classes and conventions/workshops. These are extremely valuable experiences for young dancers as they are given a chance to work with interesting and often very well known dance teachers. This is important to their dance training!
Dancers who are interested in being competitive can apply to be apart of the Pre-competitive program. Classes will include Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and rehearsal. Students will learn choreography to participate in two competitions as well as perform at the Spotlight and recital shows. This is a great experience for young dancers to get a taste of competing.
