Support Sonia's Dream
Hi! We are the final group of dancers that had the opportunity to personally know, learn and grow from Sonia Ellis. Sonia not only played a meaningful role in our lives, but we know she touched the lives of hundreds of dancers, their families and the dance community. You are likely here now, because you feel the same way we do about ensuring her legacy.
We tragically lost Sonia in 2018 to Brain Cancer, she was only 44. We didn’t get all the time we wanted with her and because of this we want to ensure her legacy lives on. Sonia’s mission was to provide an inclusive space, where all who want to dance have the opportunity to do so. A trust was created in her name upon her passing to ensure these values live on at Seymour Dance. The new owners, Lauren, Marissa and Katie share these values and are committed to upholding them.
Every year Sonia’s Dream Fund provides scholarships to both Junior and Senior dancers, ensuring that they can pursue their passion to dance. Our ambition is to ensure this trust has the funds to last for the next generation of dancers. While future dancers won’t personally know Sonia, we never want her name to be forgotten.
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In honour of Sonia Ellis, our late Artistic Director, Owner and Matriarch of Seymour Dance, we continue to offer annual scholarships and much more to our Seymour Dance family!
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When you participate in any of our fundraisers throughout the year you're directly contributing to the Sonia's Dream Fund which resources our annual scholarships, studio and production improvements, and special circumstances.
​We are hoping that 1000 people will donate $15 to reach our goal. If you are in the position to do so, please help us! We’re hoping past and present dancers from our community, their families and the arts community can help us today to keep her spirit alive. Please leave your name and a note with your donation so that we can share her memory, support future dancers and, together recognize this incredible community that Sonia created and that lives on at the studio today.
And if you want to catch-up in person, please join us for the Grand Finale at the Nutcracker Ball Gala. Tickets are available for purchase through the Centennial Theatre website. Group rates are available through the studio.
APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN APRIL 1ST
SUBMISSION PORTAL
PAST WINNERS GALLERY
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!
If you are a business, former student, parent or stranger and want to donate to the Sonia's Dream fund, we are currently accepting Cash or cheques made out to "Sonia's Dream Fund." These donations are greatly appreciated and can be dropped off at the studio or mailed to the below address:
Seymour Dance
808 Lytton Street
North Vancouver, BC
V7H 2T1
CANADA
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Thank you so much for supporting children and teens who love the arts!​​​​​
