WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT US
“My time at the University of Toronto has been nothing short of transformative. The vibrant academic environment, coupled with the rich cultural experiences, has greatly enriched my personal and professional growth. I have tried so many new adventures such as trying out for the University of Toronto dance team and I have reached a dream goal of mine which is starting to teach at a dance studio! Applying for the Be Dance Academic Scholarship presents an invaluable opportunity. This scholarship not only acknowledges your dedication and talent but also provides essential support to balance your passion for dance with academic pursuits. It empowers you to pursue higher education without financial strain, allowing yourself to excel both on stage and in your studies, much like the transformative development I experienced at U of T.
Dance has profoundly enriched my university life in countless ways. It has provided a creative outlet that helps me manage stress and maintain a healthy balance between academic demands and personal well-being. The discipline and commitment required in dance has translated into improved time management and focus in my studies. Additionally, participating in dance has fostered a sense of community and belonging, connecting me with a diverse group of friends and mentors who share my passion. These connections and the joy dance brings have made my university experience not only more fulfilling but also more enjoyable and well-rounded. IT'S TIME FOR ALL OF THE 2025 DANCE GRADUATES TO APPLY FOR THIS BE DANCE SCHOLARSHIP TO HELP TRANSFORM YOUR UNIVERSITY LIFE! ALSO…..I ENCOURAGE ANY AND ALL DANCERSTO TRY OUT FOR YOUR UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE DANCE TEAM AND IF THEY DON’T HAVE ONE, MAKE ONE!!!!”
Mikalya Boucher
Be Dance 2024 Post Secondary Scholarship Winner
"I want to take a few minutes of your time to thank you for the warm welcome you gave us. It was our first time at Be Dance and I can tell you it's not the last. It was a very pleasant competition. You are on the mark! My parents were very surprised by your professionalism as well as your welcoming staff. The gentlemen who worked backstage was amazing.
Thank you to all of you."
Carole Brouard – Studio Director
Dance Ottawa 2024 Participants
Dear Christina and Julie!
I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to you and your team for hosting such an incredible dance competition this past weekend.
Our experience at the competition was nothing short of fantastic. The atmosphere was electric, the staff were incredibly helpful and accommodating, and everything was exceptionally well-organized.
I'm thrilled to let you know that we'll be proudly displaying the Be Dance trophies we received on the walls of our studio!
Thank you for the ADE Teacher Tuition voucher, we are very appreciative! With your cash awards we're planning to invest in a new Acro mat. Thank you so much!!!!! Your support through initiatives like these means the world to us. It's organizations like yours that truly make a difference in the dance community, and we're honored to be a part of it.
We're already looking forward to next year's event!
Marina Kolotova - Studio Director
Be Dance Mississauga 2024
"I just wanted to thank you for the judges' comments. I rarely had such comprehensive and relevant comments.
We come away from the experience filled with beautiful memories but also with information that will help us evolve.
Thank you very much and we look forward to seeing you again next year. "
Anaïs Levert-Beaulieu from College Champagneur
Be Dance Ottawa 2024 Participants
Thank you for a great weekend. It was a new experience for us and we enjoyed some of the things that are unique to your event like the Discipline Overalls and the Achievement placings with only 1st, 2nd, 3rd being awarded!
Have a great rest of your season!
Ruth-Ann and Rachelle
Be Dance Mississauga 2024
Hi Christina & Julie!
Thank you both for an amazing 4 days of dance. We had a blast sharing the stage with so many inspiring and talented studios at your wonderful event!
Hope you both get some well deserved rest!
Devonte Black - Studio Director
Be Dance Brampton 2024
Julie and Christina,
My daughter is a rookie on the Ravens Dance Pak (Carleton University) and attended your Be U Varsity Challenge this past weekend. I just wanted to send you a quick note to tell you what an amazing job you did organizing and running this event! We’ve attended your competitions for years with Jo Read Dance and have always loved them but what you’ve done at the university event was incredible! What I loved the most was how you treated the dancers with respect as mature young adults. Your awards format right down to the curated team packages were so smart, saved time and was definitely a better way to show appreciation to older dancers. My favourite decision you made was awarding these talented, smart young adults with fun things like popcorn - such a great way to make this so much fun for them! Mostly, I just loved how you made it all about them and kept it so real. It was inspiring to watch and be a part of.
Thank you for putting so much thought and effort into making the transition to university dance so much fun and super respectful!
You guys are awesome and definitely in the right profession.
Thank you so much,
Kelly Kellett
Parent Spectator - 2023
Hi Julie,
My daughter, Meghan has been going to Be Dance competitions for years and to UDC the past few years when the pandemic allowed! I wanted to send a quick note to say thank you for running such a top notch competition! Everything you do is dedicated to making the experience the absolute best for the dancers. You make it fun, rewarding and engaging and promote positivity and professionalism all weekend long. It’s bittersweet for us as Meg will be graduating her undergrad this year but I wanted to let you know we have thoroughly enjoyed our weekends at Be Dance!
Wishing you all the best with the rest of your competition season!
Amy Frampton
Parent Spectator - 2023
Hi Julie & Christina!
We just wanted to thank you again for an unforgettable weekend at Be Dance. Your attention to detail and effort to put on an incredible event was most definitely noticed. Be Dance has continued to exceed our expectations!
Our team had a phenomenal experience, and it truly meant a lot to us to place first overall. For almost all of our choreographers, this was their first time doing a group routine ever, so it was incredibly rewarding to see all of their hard work pay off. The team has been working so hard this year and it was such a fulfilling experience to see it all come together. As this is our last year of dance, we couldn't have asked for a better way to finish off our last season. This was a weekend our team will never forget.
Selina & Lauren
UofT Dance Team Captains - 2023
Hi Christina & Julie,
Our team had such an amazing time performing at Be Dance this year and we will definitely be back next year! I’m writing to let you know that Rise Dance Company will be returning and we would like to secure our spot for 2024!
Thank you for making this an amazing competition experience, it is by far the best dance competition we have ever attended.
Brooklyn Garrido
Captain-Rise Dance Academy - 2023
I just want to say as a spectator and mom of a participant, how impressed I was on the dancers. These young adults were treated as such and they’ve earned that! So amazing that you recognized this! I can’t say enough about the respect, comradely and overall inclusivity they experienced. You are true to your slogan “Be Free to Be You.” This was such a positive environment for them and Kudos to you all for giving them that!
Susan Brijbhan-Mahabir
Parent Spectator - 2023
Christina & Julie,
Thank you so much for putting on such a fantastic event!! We are so pleased that we chose Be Dance to start off our season. Your show ran smoothly, on time and was loved by all of our students and parents. We will for sure be back to Be Dance in the future and we wish you nothing but the best with the rest of your season. You are incredible women, passionate about what you do and so full of integrity. Thank you! Keep up the amazing work!
Carly & Amanda
Pointe of Grace Dance Company - Studio directors 2019
I would like to congratulate your team on a fun and successful competition in Ottawa this past weekend. Having attended many dance competitions for more than a decade, it was great to know that a competition can be run on schedule and also provide a fun and enriching experience to the dancers.
Thanks for all of your hard work and wishing you a great competition season.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Parent - 2019
"Hi Julie and Christina!
Thank you for including me in your Be Dance season. I was great to meet both of you and work with your team. The competition was the best managed event I have judged: on time, amazing staff, judging support and talent.
AND laughing and little bowls of chocolate in front of me…all my favorite things! I loved it and appreciate the opportunity.
Sending you all the good vibes for the rest of your season. Thanks again."
Tracie Stanfield
Be Dance - Adjudicator 2019
Hello Julie and Christina.
Thank you so much for such an amazing weekend. Our kids were so impressed and inspired by other dancers, the parents and I were absolutely glad with the organization. We would like to thank you and all of the Be Dance crew for making the competition a top notch event. Have an awesome reminder of the season. See you soon.
Sergey and Elena
Dance Stream - Directors 2019
"Thank you so much for the incredible opportunity! I am so grateful for your competition and your support! "
Emma Culbert - Post-Secondary Education Cash Scholarship Winner - 2023
"Thanks for a great weekend of dance. We really enjoyed ourselves. Our dancers, faculty and parents all had great things to say about the weekend. I hope the rest of your season goes smoothly. "
Ashley Daychak - Performing Dance Arts Studio Director - 2023
"I just had to say the environment you created this weekend for Be U was unmatched!! A literal blast. Everyone was raving about it. Not only the girls but the parents too, all I was hearing was the best things. Congratulations!"
Dayne Hamilton - Dance Teacher Spectator - 2023
"I have to reiterate how amazing your event is. Staff, judges, atmosphere - so friendly and supportive, and the final awards/show was incredible Well done!"
Andrea - Parent Spectator - 2023
Julie and Christina,
Thank you for another lovely weekend at Be Dance. Your hospitality and warm greetings are always second to none. Your staff is always accommodating and helpful and a pleasure to be around. Well done with the extremely professional way you handled the power outage and the way you magically made up the time without making everyone feel rushed.
Thank you again
Lorinda
Stage Presence School of Dance - Studio Director 2019
Hi Julie & Christina,
Lori & I would like to THANK YOU for a spectacular weekend! Team DDP staff, dancers & parents all had a wonderful time at Deerhurst and all it’s beautiful surroundings. It was a positive & inspirational atmosphere back stage with all the other studios and of course Ashley … we LOVE him lots! Thanks for hosting a GREAT competition!
Love,
Sue & Lori
Davenport Dance Project - Directors 2018
Just wanted to thank you guys for a great weekend. I can’t believe that it’s been 8 years. You have done terrific things for the competition world and for dancers. Thank you for always being encouraging it means a lot. Again thanks so much for everything this weekend.
Sergey and Elena
Dance Stream - Directors 2019
Hi Julie and Christina,
I wanted to send an email off thanking you for a tremendous weekend. You run a class act. Your set up is amazing. The way you make everyone feel is beyond words and your attention to detail from overalls to awards to scholarships is unmatched. You truly have something very special. I’m so grateful for all your help with picking a weekend that was perfect for us. Good studios and good people. The vibe was great. Thank you for sticking true to your words. Thank you for giving these kids more then just a competition, for helping them with their education and their self esteem. Be Dance is truly like no other comp and we are so lucky we got to experience it. It’s not about the awards, although they are great, it’s about the sense of team that you give off to the other teachers and studio owners. Thank you doesn’t seem like enough. I hope you have an amazing rest of the season! We will be seeing each other very soon!
Thanks,
Aly
A2Y Dance Inc. - Director 2018
