Our hearts will forever be with our dear and lovely Sonia Ellis; the late Artistic Director, Owner and Matriarch of Seymour Dance. To honour her tremendous generosity, we are honouring her dream of making a scholarship fund for the sole purpose of supporting dancers to pursue their dream of following their hearts and their passion.

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Sonia started dancing at the age of three and it was evident, even at such a young age, that she felt the music and danced for the joy of it. Sonia grew up in Edmonton where she trained at the Alberta Ballet School, after four years she received a scholarship to the Edmonton School of Ballet where she excelled, passing her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) exams with honours. Without this scholarship, she would have never been able to complete her RAD training.

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Sonia Ellis taught at Seymour Dance since she was 16 and quickly became a beloved and highly sought-after teacher. In 2007, she was offered the opportunity to purchase Seymour Dance, and she enthusiastically accepted the offer, forming Ellis Performance Arts. Owning a dance school was a dream come true. This offered her the opportunity to share her passion for dance and to recognize those that dance for the joy of it. 

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Through her tireless efforts, inspiring leadership, and constant nurturing mentorship, the school has continued to grow and transform. Her unconditional positive regard for each individual student was prominent. The school has become a venue for all to experience and express their joy of dance in a safe and caring environment. 

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Her dedicated team of staff, which contain many alumni students who grew up under Sonia’s mentorship, as well as her loving and doting mother, have been working together to carry on Sonia’s dream and legacy. 

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The first ever Sonia's Dream Scholarships were awarded Monday, June 10th, 2019, at our Year End Show at the Centennial Theatre!