On April 28, New Brunswick’s First City Young Company will present Breathe Dance at the Centre scolaire Samuel-de-Champlain in Saint John, featuring the work of dancers and choreographers from as far away as Guelph, Ont. This annual showcase, which includes ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop and floorwork, has been presented during International Dance Week since 2022.
First City Young Company is a pre-professional performance company that includes dancers ranging from 15 to 23 years old. All company members are students at First City School of Dance. This performance is a culmination of the past eight months of training.
Marcia Dysart, owner and artistic director of the school, noted, “There’s this mentality that dance ends when you graduate high school unless you go on to pursue post-secondary dance training.” The Young Company program aims to dispel that myth by offering high school graduates the opportunity to learn about the choreographic process, continue their dance training and perform in pre-professional shows while allowing time for other pursuits like education or work. On average, company dancers dedicate more than 12 hours per week to training and rehearsals.
For Breathe Dance, student choreographers’ work will be presented alongside works by guest choreographers Darryl Tracy, Liam Caines and Chantal Baudouin and First City’s own Chris Van Green, Gina Grant, Jamie Mario and more.
“I think it’s really unique and special because … students create their own work … and then they have this opportunity to perform it on a full stage with lights and proper sound,” said Sarah Power, director of the Intermediate and Senior Ballet schools at First City. “It’s just really empowering.”
“These students are also working with really great choreographers (who have created work specifically for the dancers),” added Power. “For them to be able to work with them … it’s just such a great experience.”
A collaborative work between First City School of Dance and Ontario’s Guelph Youth Dance will also be presented as part of the showcase, with choreography by Guelph’s Janet Johnson and Kelly Steadman and First City’s Dysart and Power.
Power describes Guelph Youth Dance as “another group of artists who are young and driven and really diverse in what they’re doing.”
“The skill of collaboration is really essential and important for thriving in our dance, or just art, community,” furthered Dysart, referring to collaborations with artists of all disciplines. “It helps you grow as an artist.”
Thirty-three dancers will perform in this new piece, entitled Dancing Connections, which explores themes of connection, values, balance, nature and more.
New Brunwick’s Dance Fredericton, Rothesay Ballet School and the First City Ensemble will also be performing in Breathe Dance. Dancers with First City Ensemble are typically 11 to 14 years old.
“They’re so sweet and driven and excited, and it’s such a great opportunity for them as well, not only to perform … but also to then see the other works and be in that environment,” said Power. The group will be performing pieces by Power and Rebecca Gamble, a teacher at First City School of Dance.
Power’s work, Voyager, is focused on the experience of travel – managing busy airports, the feeling of being in a new place, jetlag and going home again.
Outside of the school’s work with First City Young Company and First City Ensemble, it has students who range in age from toddlers to over 70 years old. Year-end dance recitals for the students will be held on June 7 and 8.
“They worked hard on these pieces,” said Dysart about the variety of work being presented at Breathe Dance. “These pieces are works of art.”
“The calibre of what these young people are doing is quite astounding,” added Power.
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