Testimony : Madeline

« My name is Madeline and I am a ballet dancer. Well I’m only 13 and not a professional, but I still consider myself a ballet dancer because for me ballet is, along with my family, the most important thing in my life.

I am living in Montreal and attend L’École supérieure du ballet du Québec. Every morning, from Monday to Friday, I have 3 hours of ballet and then head off to my academic school. Mornings are the best time of the day because I get my daily concentrated dose of ballet. My teacher is great. She inspires us, pushes us and has a great sense of humortoo. Her love for ballet really shows and it is contagious. The other students in my class love ballet too and we all work so hard to improve. It is really a great atmosphere for us balletphiles (I’m not sure if that is a word, but if it isn’t, it should be !)

My goal is to be the best dancer I can be. I’m not sure where that will lead, whether it be dancing professionally, teaching, classes,or even facilitating on dance therapy to help others, but I am determined to work hard and improve. That determination will serve me well, no matter what the future holds for me.

Dancing in Canada is extra special and I really see that now that I am living in Montreal. This city pulsates with the arts. So many dance troupes from Canada and all over the world come to share their art with the people of Montreal. Regardless of language or background, thousands and thousands of people unite to partake in the beauty of dance. I really see that in my classes too. We all come together ina common goal to explore our art. While my classes are in French, for many of us, thatit is not our first language andit doesn’t seem to matter. The love of dance brings us together, and our differences don’t matter after that . Dance really is, for me, the great unifier. »

— Madeline, April 19, 2017