It’s been a season of success for Studio West Dance in Ladner – and the best maybe yet to come.
More than 150 competitive dancers, ranging in age from six to 18, have been a part of numerous competitions in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley since October, bringing home individual and group accolades the likes of which have never been seen before at the dance studio located in Ladner Village.
Director Jyla Davis along with instructors Tanner Plecas and Melissa Pribula say they are inspired by the dedication and hard work that all of the students have put in to achieve this unprecedented level of success.
“We are definitely putting South Delta on the map in terms of strong, technical training,” said Plecas. “We are so lucky that within the community there are so many great theatre clubs and other programs that our kids are also taking advantage of and that is certainly helping them succeed.”
Pribula said for a lot of studios when they have success it might be in one genre or they might have one group that has done well, but for Studio West this year, the widespread success across all genres is unheard of.
“For us, we literally have representation in every single category of dance that you can imagine and our kids are not only doing well, but they are excelling and winning overalls in all of those genres,” she said.
Davis said the staff at Studio West has played a big role in creating a winning environment.
“Our staff is one of a kind,” said Davis. “Each of our teachers have a very strong, technical foundation and background in ballet and contemporary and then we all have our own avenues, so I’d say one of our strengths is that everyone has a hand in our dancers’ training. All of us have been champions ourselves growing up and have experienced that life. When you have experienced being a champion your whole life and then you transition into teaching kids you have lived it, you know what it is like and you know how to train them.”
Pribula said even though the studio has experienced success, Davis is constantly pushing everyone to be better.
“That’s a big key for sure. It’s always what can we do better. We continue to offer growth outside what the Lower Mainland offers. When you travel and are exposed to other master classes and teachers it really helps everyone to push themselves to be better,” said Pribula.
The high level of commitment from the dancers themselves and the parents is also a major factor.
“The parents trust us with their kids and because they trust us we have been able to achieve this incredible level of success,” said Pribula.
Up next is a trip in late June with 25 dancers to Las Vegas for nationals, another prestigious competition for a solo dancer in Los Angeles and two dancers will be representing Team Canada in November at an international competition in Germany.
“It’s been an amazing year for us,” said Davis.
