Success Stories

We are happy to share the success of our former dancers. They have gone on to work with international companies such as “São Paulo cia de dança” (Brazil), “Divinadança” (Brazil), “Nordhausen ballet” (Germany), “Theater Osnabrück” (Germany), “Halle Opera House” (Germany), “Grazer Oper” (Austria), “Tanzkompanie Der Oper Graz” (Germany), Dresden Frankfurt Dance company, “Wen Wei Dance” (Canada) and Gainesville Ballet (USA), 45 Degrees and Cirque du Soleil (Montreal) among others..

Everyone talks about how amazing it is to work with Lamondance because it makes you an incredible professional, working with many amazing artists. And that’s true, but Lamondance is more than that, speaking from my experience: Lamondance has changed my life; it has elevated me in the field of contemporary dance. It has made me a skilled professional with a wealth of experience. It has shown me how important it is to understand others’ stories and admire how people tell their stories through their bodies. It’s hard to explain how the environment at Lamondance transforms us for the better. Today, I am a recognized teacher and choreographer in my country. I have taught classes in more than ten countries and judged at national and international festivals. With my work, I obtained the highest score at the World Ballet Competition in contemporary solo in 2022. I have had two choreographies invited to the final gala of the YAGP, and I have won the Excellence Award at Danzamerica. I always pass on everything I have learned at Lamondance. I am very grateful, and without a doubt, I know it was the best experience of my life.

Afonso Junior Gomes - Season 9 and 10

Photo by Isa Bianor

Throughout my two years at Lamondance, I grew so much as a dancer and really stepped my skills up to the next level. This is what helped get me to where I am now with the confidence to back it. During my training I received many great opportunities to work with so many amazing choreographers and teachers and I was able to learn so much from all of them. Lamon is truly unlike any other program and I am so grateful for everything it has taught me.
I am currently dancing professionally with Ballet Kelowna under the direction of Simone Orlando which has been amazing, and I know that without my two years at Lamon, this would not have been possible.   I highly recommend Lamondance to anyone looking to prepare themselves as a professional dancer.

Ashley Rabinovitch - Seasons 11 and 12

"It's funny how we look back and see how we have changed, learned, and grown in more than just movements, but also in how to behave in the dance world and in all possible environments in life. Lamondance changed my way of thinking, dancing, and my perspective on life. It was a challenge being there, and also the best moment of my life. Making friends and learning how to become a professional, not just as a dancer, but as a person, has made me the person that I am today, and is still shaping the person that I want to be in the future. Today in Brazil, my way of dancing inspires other people. Thank you, Lamondance, for three seasons of a lot of research and work with good professionals. I look forward to what is coming."

Paula Pacheco - Seasons 8, 9 and 10

My time at Lamondance opened my eyes to the world of dance and began to help me discover the artist I want to be. The faculty always reminded us we are constantly growing and changing. They gave me a family of like minded people, each one so kind and helpful, constantly pushing each other to explore movement and new ideas. Our directors, choreographers and teachers did more than they knew. They became our mentors and friends over the 2 years I was there. Creating such amazing connections and networks within the community that I will always be thankful for. Of course none of this would have been possible for me if I hadn't been so fortunate to receive the BIPOC Scholarship from Lamondance. It was the reason I was able to attend the program and continue my pursuit of dance. My time at Lamondance shaped me like no other, it was a very important chapter of my life. One I will always be thankful for. I am currently dancing professionally with Ballet Kelowna under the direction of Simone Orlando which has been amazing.

Mackye White - Seasons 12 & 13 | Contemporary Training Program

Photo by Miles Clark

Arianna Elsworth - Seasons 12 & 13 | Contemporary Training Program

During my two years being part of the Lamondance Professional Training program, I made so many deep connections & learned so much about who I am as a dancer and an artist.  The opportunities I received at Lamondance were so incredible & I met some of the most inspiring & good people in my life. I am so grateful for how the program prepared me for the professional dance world by helping me develop much of my artistry, a strong work ethic & so much more that I've carried, and will continue to carry into my future! I'm glad to have been part of the program throughout its incredible 12th & 13th season - it was a really great experience!’ 

Photo by Miles Clark

Isla Spotswood - Seasons 11 & 12 + Company member

I experienced remarkable change during my time at Lamondance. I was wary of pursuing dance seriously after high school and had many questions of what a career in the arts would look like. I took a leap of faith joining the Lamondance training program, and moved to North Vancouver to embark on a new journey. At Lamondance I felt like the faculty truly believed in me and were invested in my progression as a dance artist. With attentive guidance and encouragement from my instructors, I started to see my own potential and began believing in myself too. I was amazed at what I was capable of achieving with this new found intention and motivation in my practice. Lamondance provided an environment that allowed me to discover my unique artistic voice and helped me find the courage to seek out challenges and opportunities that would enhance my personal growth. What I value most from my time at Lamondance is the support I received every step of the way, especially from my loving peers. The connections and friendships that I made within the program and company is what made my experience so special and fulfilling. These people will be my colleagues and friends for life, and Lamondance will always be an important piece of my story.

After Lamondance Isla went to GibneyPRO - professional training program NY & Anderson Carvalho Dance Company (aka ACDC) in Cape Town, South Africa.

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Lamondance was an amazing experience in my life. I was able to grow so much as a professional dancer. During my training I had incredible teachers and choreographers from whom I was able to learn a lot.

One of the most important things I’ve learned there was to share experiences and collaborate with other dancers specially being from another country, it was great to be part of an environment that could help me to became a solid and strong professional dancer. 

I am so thankful for all the things that I was able to experience while my studies with Lamondance and it guided me to the company that I’m currently working “Virginia National Ballet in US”.

Gustavo Madubuike - Season 7

Photo by Miles Clark

Photo by Miles Clark

Oksana Maslechko - Seasons 7 and 8 | Apprentice Company Season 9 and 10| Company member

"Before finding Lamondance, I was uncertain of what my next step was. Getting the chance to be a part of Lamon has truly changed my life. I am incredibly grateful to be able to take my passion for dance so seriously. I've been provided with so many opportunities and experiences that have helped me grow not only as an artist but as an individual. I thank Davi Rodrigues and Lamondance because, without them, I wouldn't be where I am today." - Oksana Maslechko

Photo by Miles Clark

Photo by Miles Clark

Juan Duarte - Seasons 7 and 8

We are very proud to announce that our alumni Juan Duarte will be working with Ballet BC as an Emerging Artist for the 2019/2020 season!

Juan graduated from the Lamondance two-year contemporary dance program in Vancouver, BC where he started in 2016.

Right after completing his studies with Lamondance, Juan had the opportunity to work with other local programs before given the opportunity to participate with Ballet BC's 2019/20 Emerging Artists!

We wish all the best to Juan and looking forward to seeing him on stage with the company.

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I had a pleasure of training with Lamondance in 2010 as part of my continuing professional development. Lamondance offered the kind of high quality training I needed to return to a professional career, after recovering from a longtime injury, and left me feeling stronger and more engaged as a performer.

Since working with Lamondance, I’ve travelled to Germany, Brazil, New York, Toronto and throughout BC as a professional performer. I have worked with MOVE: The Company, with choreographer: Caitlin Griffin, on Centre Stage: En Pointe as an assistant choreographer, in Students films at the Vancouver Film School, and many other independent projects. Additionally, I have been honoured to continually guest perform with Lamondance over the past 5 years.

I highly recommend Lamondance to any semi-professional looking to expand on their training and knowledge in contemporary.

Crystal Wills - season 1

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Lamondance was the perfect amount of contemporary dance I could have had to learn exactly what my body capabilities were. Before joining Lamondace I had only classical and jazz training, and the program was a very good space to learn how to merge whatever knowledge I had and make pure dance out of it, expressful and meaningful.

After LMD, I was a trainee at the Joffrey ballet in Chicago, where I got the opportunity to work with the main company on the production of the Merry Widow, and then I joined Sao Paulo Cia De Dança, where I am for 5 years now, dancing a very intriguing repertoire, going from brazilian choreographers to Jyri Killian, Nacho Duato , William Forsythe, Edouard Lock...

This is a wish come true was possible due to all the base studies I had, and LMD was definitely a very important part of it.

Andre Grippi - season 1

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Lamondance was the perfect stepping stone towards my professional dance career. It prepared me for what dancing in a professional setting was like while still having the opportunity for discovery and exploration found in a dance class. It connected me to so many talented artists who pushed me to grow and stay inspired. By providing opportunity for travel, Lamondance is unlike any other training program. My two years of training at Lamondance was crucial for my development and is something I will always hold close to my heart.

It led me to further pursue my dance career by moving to Toronto and graduating from The Conteur Academy and participating in Proartedanza SIP. 

Devan Généreux - Seasons 4 and 5

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After graduating from Arts Umbrella's 2 year Dance Diploma program, I found myself seeking a training program to further my expolartion and passion in dance. While working with Lamondance as a season 5 and 6 dancer, it opened up opportunities and connections to work with other people such as the response. with Amber Funk Barton and the International Dance Festival in Bazillia, Brazil as a part of season 7. Lamondance has encouraged me to reach personal goals and gave me a safe space to work with so many talanted dancers. Since ending my journey and enrolling at the Art Institute of Vancouver for their Culinary Arts and Resaurant Ownership Progam, I owe so much to Lamondance with the person I have become and the person I thive to be.

Amanda Vlahovic - Seasons 5 and 6

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I had the most incredible experience working in Lamon Dance. The training gained from it has shaped my dancing, teaching and training ever since. Lamon offers the highest quality of training in contemporary and modern dance. It is a program I always recommend to my graduating students who are looking to continue and expand their training in modern and contemporary dancing. I am forever grateful for Monica, Lara and Davi for offering all of their skill to me and my fellow Lamon dancers, it truly felt like a family.

Hailley Caulfield-Postle - Season 1

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LMD came at a time in my life when I wasn't sure where I was going or what I was doing, but I knew that I needed to dance. LMD -- Lara, Monica, Davi -- gave me the environment I needed to begin exploring who I was as a young, but maturing, dancer. LMD gave me a family. It gave me mentors and refuelled my passion for dance. The variety of choreographic style and training that was given to us expanded and strengthened my physicality and maturity. I began to discover the different textures available within movement, and uncovered physicality I didn't know how to access. The numerous performance opportunities we had allowed me to grow equally onstage and in the studio. With LMD I travelled to Brasilia for the International Dance Festival where my dance family grew even larger. We performed and trained there for 3 weeks. Sharing the love of dance with the talented dancers of Brazil was incredibly inspiring and opened my eyes to a new level of dedication. Thanks to LMD I had the opportunity of furthering my training at the Lines Ballet Training Program in San Francisco. Since then I have attended Springboard Danse Montreal, appeared in the film Centre Stage 3, and performed with Ballet Ouest in their production of the Nutcracker, which toured in Québec. This summer I have the opportunity to work with 45 Degrees and Cirque du Soleil in their production "Stone," in Trois-Rivières. All of these opportunities are possible thanks to Lamondance being there for me and giving me the courage, space, trust, challenges, and love with which to grow.

"It is here that I began to discover the different textures available within movement, and learned how to access physicality that had previously been unavailable to me." "Thanks to LMD I have had the opportunity of furthering my training..."

Jee Lam - Seasons 2 and 4

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Lamondance helped evolve me from a dancer to an artist. It taught me how to trust myself in my movement. It gave me invaluable direction, strength, and knowledge that I will carry with me throughout my entire career. Joining Lamondance was one of the smartest decisions I ever made. I highly recommend this experience to anyone!.

Christie Lee Manning - Season 2

 

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I have trained with Lamondance for 4 seasons starting in 2012, I was part of season 3 to season 6 and it was a great, challenging and fun journey where I was able To develop and learn so much during this time, the combination of ballet, contemporary and improvisation technique classes, amazing coaching and the positive environment gave me just the perfect opportunity to develop my talent and start to pursue my passion for dance as a career. While and after my training with Lamondance I was able to participate as a dancer in dance performances, dance photoshoots and film and television jobs. Currently I'm teaching and choreographing professionally in Vancouver in many schools and projects and have been offered so many opportunities that for sure wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for not just the training but the support that has be given to me ever since my training started. I highly recommended and encourage Lamondance program if you want to pursue a career in dance.

Mariana Moraes - Seasons 3, 4, 5 and 6.