Lights, camera, ready, action! These are the words that echoed through the theatre as Goh Ballet’s students filmed their Spring Showcase Performance. Founded in 1978, Vancouver-based dance school Goh Ballet Academy takes great pride in offering their dancers unrivaled performance experiences to pursue artistic excellence in ballet. During a year filled with challenges, with one of the greatest ones being the cancellation of all live performances, how did Goh Ballet pivot to continue providing dancers with the magical opportunity to perform?
Last year Goh Ballet was preparing to produce the full-length ballet of Coppélia to be presented at the Vancouver Playhouse. In the Spring of 2020, in the midst of rehearsals, as Vancouver went into lockdown their studios were mandated to close, and students had to continue their training learning virtually from home. Dancers always possess a great deal of tenacity; they are trained to never give up! One year on, it was Director and former Principal Dancer of The National Ballet of Canada Chan Hon Goh’s mission to provide students with the opportunity to do what they love and have the experience of performing on stage, no matter the circumstances.
The pandemic has ignited innovation within the Arts industry with organizations needing to find new creative ways to share their art form for audiences to enjoy digitally. This month Goh Ballet will be presenting their first ever virtual rendition of the full length iconic classical ballet, Coppélia – and producing a full-length ballet for film is no small task! Filming all three acts in their entirety took over one week, and took place on the North Shore at Mulgrave School’s Linda Hamer Theatre. For Goh’s dancers, being able to be on stage with dazzling sets, lights, costumes, hair and makeup made their dreams a reality.
You can join Goh Ballet virtually on June 18 & 19 to celebrate the achievements of the brightest Canadian dance talent including aspiring professionals from the North Shore and Lower Mainland! Available for streaming on-demand, Coppélia features debut performances by Grand Prix Winners & Gold Medalists from prestigious international dance competitions, as well as many more exceptional students from Goh’s training programs. This lighthearted, humorous plot topped with a surprising ending is perfect for the entire family to enjoy.
In support of the next generation of dancers, all proceeds from ticket purchases will go directly towards supporting students in need of financial assistance with scholarships to enable them to continue in their dedicated pursuit of a professional dance career. Family tickets cost just $35 which includes exclusive access to stream the performance on-demand for a 24-hour period! For more information and to buy tickets visit GohBallet.com/showcase-performances.