Danielle DeMi began her performing career at the ripe old age of 9 months! Scouted by a local talent agent for her expressive large eyes and quirky facial expressions Danielle began working steadily in print and on film. From Huggies to  Bell Telecommunications, Danielle had the invaluable opportunity to grow and learn throughout the entertainment industry in the most trying of times, childhood and puberty! She brought her quirkyness and camera ready

IDM sat down with the choreographer of ‘Pop’ City’, Jocelyn Peden, to get the scoop on what it takes to audition for the PNE’s pyrotechnic extravaganza. 

  IDM: Why should dancers audition for the PNE? JP: Any audition experience is always good. The PNE is a great starting point for dancers looking to book their first job. It’s a 17 day run, 35 person cast, 25 minute show, performed in front of thousands of people. Dancing for the PNE teaches you how to learn and adapt to choreography quickly, take correction, and survive 30 second costume changes.  It’s also a chance to make unforgettable memories. Dancers have made friends for life at the PNE. One of our dancers (Ferdinand Tocal), met his wife at the PNE! You get to dance with artists from all across the country.  It is an intense job, but it’s your chance to be a part of an amazing, twenty minute paid production! And if you’re only cast in the night show, you can continue to work during the day.   

We have to admit – we have a huge crush on Justine Gera of da Costa Talent Vancouver. One of our favorite Canadian dancers of all time, and only 18 (years old), we couldn’t WAIT to have an excuse to get her on our cover! Now, after touring with Triple Threat Dance Conventions last year,  filming a music video, and joining Vancouver’s most prestigious principal talent agency, she is off on her first contract with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. We could not be more proud.

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IDM: How was dance introduced into your life? JG: Dance was introduced to me just by watching older dancers that I looked up to perform locally. My parents put me into dance at Peggy Peat’s and every year I did more

IDM would like to introduce our newest Columnist, Stephen Roberts from Toronto, ON! Currently working on the Broadway Tour of Mary Poppins The Musical, see how this Canadian triple threat has taken the Theatre industry by storm. 

  IDM: Let’s start at the beginning! Where did you grow up? SG: I was born in Toronto, but grew up in Whitby (a suburb 45 minutes east of the city). I danced at a studio

It was at Fusion Dance Camp that Creator and Editor of Industry Dance Magazine, Christie Manning, realized her love for dance, and her determination to turn it into her career. Tammy and Jocelyn have not just been instructors, but mentors throughout her career, and the first to hire her for her first gig – The PNE night show! Being a camper at Fusion Dance Camp creates lasting memories and life long friendships. It will be your most unforgettable summer event!

  IDM: When was Fusion Dance Camp launched? Tammy: 1994 was our first dance camp! I was involved with a dance camp

Follow Julie’s Travel Diary and see how many opportunities may lie before you!

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The past month has been amazing. It began with a long journey from Greece to Italy, getting lost without a cell phone, waiting at an empty train station late at night, and finally coming to the arts centre here in Toffia, where

(Review) –  “I was at my best as a dancer at 45 years old.”  I wish I had told Nela, the director of the contemporary dance group diskordanse,  how much it meant to me that she shared these words of hers the evening we met her at her studio in White Rock.  I have heard so much about the brevity of a dancer’s ‘life’, that the peak of a dancer’s career is in his or her twenties or thirties.  So, considering that I started dancing when my twenties were almost over, I guess that means I shouldn’t even bother trying?  But dancing has been one of the best, if not the best, activities that has come into my life over the past few years.  It takes me out of

The audience inside the Michael J. Fox Theatre was rowdy from the moment the lights went down. The lively emcees, Tiffany “Jimini Bong” and Caroline “Lady C” Fraser started off the night with a playful duet, while sporting t-shirts with Vancouver splashed across the front. What a way to get the Vancouver dance community energized!

  Once the show began, it was entertaining the whole way through. The twenty numbers provided an appropriate mix of genres that included locking, hip hop, contemporary and tap. Each piece brought an exciting new energy to the show.    The highlight of night – judging by the audience’s reaction – was The Faculty. Fresh off a first place finish at the National Hip Hop Convention, Artist Emerge, this all-male crew blew the crowd away with impressive choreography and bang-on timing.    There were many other amazing groups to take the stage that night, such as Marc Generoso and Friends who charmed the audience with their smooth piece “Hotel California”. P.R.A.I.S.E  Team performed an inspiring good vs. evil

What can we say about Ms Stacey Tookey that you don’t already know? She’s inspiring, vivacious, and beyond talented. We are so excited to have her as the Cover Story for this month’s issue of IDM! Thank you Stacey for taking the time to share your wisdom and passion! Read on to see

 We could not be more proud of Kelsey Wiens of Edmonton, Alberta. One of the hardest working artists out there, we had the pleasure of catching up with her after seeing her perform with Cirque du Soleil at the Oscars! Here is her story. 

  IDM: Where did you grow up? How was dance introduced into your life?

Born in Kindersley, Saskatchewan, Kevin Mylrea has taken the Canadian dance industry by storm. After working with some of the most sought after choreographers of our time, and booking a spot on the first season of So You Think You Can Dance Canada, he has now joined the unbelievable cast of Cirque de Soleil’s ‘Beatles Love’ in Las Vegas! We are very excited to feature him in this month’s issue

IDM has a great suggestion for your summer plans! Check out this invaluable international dance experience, with some of your favourite choreographers on faculty!

  IDM: What is World Dance Movement?  WDM: World Dance Movement is the International Workshop! It builds connections between dance and diverse cultures that inspire and transform dancers around the world. Our focus is to present dancers with an opportunity