Dancer + Singer + Actor = TRIPLE THREAT

September 9, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Michelle Janzen

Dance Fuel is offering a Triple Threat program to develop and fine tune the skills of a well-rounded performer: performers who can dance, sing and act.

Dance Fuel’s (DF) mission is to provide the highest caliber of performing arts education to students of all ages and abilities, and to foster individual growth in a caring, supportive artistic community.

“We strive to discover the full potential that exists within each student,” says Lori Gray, Director of DF. “We like to create a warm, supportive and culturally rich environment where every student can feel good about themselves as they grow through creative expression. We do so by selecting people on our staff with whom we can entrust our ideals. These are outstanding and gifted artists who are currently working in their respective fields and wish to share their expertise and love for dance, song and theatre with others.”

Established in 1998, DF’s studio has grown to serve Grand Valley, Shelburne and Dundalk.

Ms. Gray is a graduate of the University of Waterloo and has a BA in Dance and Human Kinetics.

“DF is designed to meet every student’s performing needs,” she says. “With outstanding instruction, performance opportunities and genuine caring, DF has become an integral part of many students’ lives.”

Last year, DF saw Kristen Gamache join their staff. Her extensive past experience, training and teaching with local studio, Anne Marie’s Academy of Dance, earned her well-choreographed competitive routines many awards throughout the season.

Gamache is also recognizable from playing Dorothy in LP Stage Productions recent version of the Wizard of Oz. A veteran of theatre, Gamache has choreographed over 16 musical theatre productions, as well as directed and choreographed the production, Dear Edwina Jr.

Gamache is also an assistant/substitute teacher for Citrus Dance in Orangeville, choreographing productions with Brampton Music Theatre, and has also written and co-directed a musical production with Theatre Orangeville and CLD for the last two years in a row.

“Regardless of ability or choice, of course, we recognize our responsibility to help each student to acquire not only the given skills, but to build the inner resources of self-confidence and self-worth,” Gamache tells us

Joining DF this year is Danielle Gamache, who can normally be seen performing on-stage in many of LP Stage Production’s plays. However, for the Wizard of Oz she tried her hand a directing and says it was a very different experience to be directing other people and helping them explore their characters.

“It is exhilarating to be a part of building a student’s self-confidence on and off stage,” says Danielle.

“The most exciting part of our history”, adds director Grey, “is that DF alumni have become successful in all aspects of life, in many diverse professions, and have attributed much of their success whether in the arts or outside of the arts to the training, work ethic, and self-confidence they received at DF.”

Adding to DF’s popularity is the relaxed, non-competitive environment of the school.

“Because of this,” says Gray, “our students create many new friendships with other students who share their love for the arts, and find themselves acquiring a whole new set of ‘ friends.’ At DF, everyone works together to make each performance the best it can be, and everyone is made to feel important at DF.”

Dance Fuel is currently taking registrations for the upcoming 2016-2017 season. For more information, please call 519-216-3394 or go to www.dancefuel.ca.