LARA TAI
REPORTER/EDITOR
The George Brown College Dance Program has been running over 25 years. It partners with Ballet Jorgen to provide 3 types of programs. It has been a local favorite program in Toronto but has attracted students from around the world. Three women who have overcome many barriers to study dance in GBC were interviewed.
Why did you choose Canada and George Brown College to study the art of dance?
Taisiia Zamula (Russia), ”Canada has always been a country where I wanted to go. It was my dream to explore western culture and to see how different life is here. After graduating from a ballet school in Moscow, I had the opportunity to go to the country of my dreams. And, at that time of course, I had to choose a specific college, university where I want to continue to study. The choice fell on George Brown College because of the good reviews, relatively economical tuition. Also, I just liked the look of the campus itself, even though me and my mom could only see it from YouTube at that time.”
Valentina Polanco (Colombia), “Since I was a kid I have always loved Canadian culture. I had many friends who came and told me how nice the people and the amazing opportunities there are here. In Colombia, we don’t have a ballet company or any professional dance program, so I decided to come to Canada to continue my career. After long research, I found out that GBC has one of the best dance programs in Canada and has a partnership with Canada’s Ballet Jörgen (my dream company), so I decided to apply. This was my first and only option and fortunately, I got in.”
Estelle Tang (Hong Kong), “I initially came to Canada to study life sciences at the University of Toronto. I could’ve also chosen Europe or Hong Kong, but I wanted to discover Toronto and find community here where I can feel safe and supported.”
What do you like about the program?
Taisiia Zamula (Russia), ”What I particularly like about the Dance Performance – Classical Ballet & Contemporary P-105 is. Of course, the teachers and choreographers who are absolute professionals in their fields of dance (ballet, jazz, modern). It is they who create a positive atmosphere for working on our dance techniques. I also enjoy vocal lessons, as I’ve always drempt of auditioning for the role of a heroine in a musical. I also like that we have the opportunity to partner with the Canada’s Ballet Jorgen, we work with teachers from the company and observe the ballet classes and dancers.
Valentina Polanco ( Colombia), ”I love that in the Dance Performance Program, we learn how to be integral artists since we have multiple classes such as acting, vocal, and different styles of dance. In my opinion, this can open many doors when we graduate. I also really like the teachers, they are very supportive and committed to each class. Every day I can feel how much they love what they do, and they inspire me to do my best in every class.
Estelle Tang (Hong Kong), ”I love that my teachers and staff are all genuinely supportive of each student. There are definitely moments of “tough love” to push us to dance to the best of our abilities, but never feels disrespectful.”
Have there been any barriers that you had to overcome to study here in Canada and at GBC?
Taisiia Zamula (Russia), Of course there are some obstacles that have to be overcome. One of them is, of course, the cultural and language barrier that I have to overcome daily. The second is a financial issue, since Toronto is a fairly expensive city for life for international students. Well, the third one is of course devotion to dance. We spend every day in the studios, training and dancing, and sometimes I don’t have enough time and energy to care about my physical and mental health since no relatives are around.
Valentina Polanco (Colombia):My biggest barrier is the economic situation we are living in Colombia. My parents work harder every day, in order to pay the tuition for the diploma. The Colombian peso is really devalued, which is why it is very expensive for my parents to pay all my expenses. Therefore every free time I have I am working, so I could pay part of my tuition for next year and be able to come back. Besides that, living by myself, so far away from my family and not knowing when I am going to see them again, was a huge shock, but being so close to making my dreams come true pushes me forward every day to be the best version of myself.
Estelle Tang (Hong Kong), My parents were against the idea of studying dance. It took a lot of time & effort to convince them it was a serious passion that I wanted to pursue. I also experienced culture shock. Many say that there can be a fake sense of polite kindness, but it actually helps to make me feel respected and accepted.
What are your hopes, goals and dreams in your dance career?
Taisiia Zamula (Russia): So, the goal of my dance career in Canada is to become a part of a ballet company. And, of course, I also want to teach ballet and inspire, motivate others.
Valentina Polanco ( Colombia ): My biggest dream is to be part of a ballet company, especially Canada’s Ballet Jörgen. To be on stage all year, sharing with people what I love the most. Another goal I have is to teach all the knowledge I have acquired during all these years, to children that can’t afford to take classes, volunteer and give back everything that life has given me.
Estelle Tang (Hong Kong): Ballet is my favorite genre of dance. I would love to find a job in classical or contemporary ballet, but there isn’t any class that I’ve disliked. It’s all dance and it all makes me feel whole & alive. So I would still be over the moon if I landed a job as a modern or jazz dancer! Dance is a relatively short career, so many plan ahead for a second career. For me, I would like to become an OT for dancers. I volunteer with the Dance Ability Movement, where they give classes for children with special needs. The OTs I’ve gotten to know have inspired me to use my dance background to help others with struggles that I’ve also experienced.
These women are determined to blaze a trail and create their own legacy empowered by the skills they learn from Artistic Director Bengt Jorgen and Associate Director Derek Sangster and GBC faculty. They are developing values of resilience and community. They will perform as well as the other dance students in shows Unleashed, Emergence, Next Stage and In Haus.
