The Dance Ontario Awards Committee is delighted to announce that Tess Vosper will be the recipient of this year’s Jacque Foesier Youth Dance Award. The ceremony will take place on Sunday, January 22, 2017 during DanceWeekend at the Fleck Dance Theatre in Toronto.

15 year old Tess studies at Milton’s The Dance Class and at Cawthra Park Secondary School.

“ The words passion, dedication and commitment are constantly used to describe Tess. We have had the privilege of being able to work with Tess intensively over the last five years as a student in dance and a teacher in training. She is dedicated to the art of dance and to sharing her passion with others. She demonstrates this every day through her commitment to her assisting classes,  her school’s dance councils and her involvement in community performances. Tess spends many hours a week perfecting her technique and expanding her dance education. She  is fully committed to her assisting classes, she participates in the Dance Council at school and spreads awareness of the Arts in Halton through community performances. She spends many hours a week perfecting her technique and expanding her dance education while maintaining her honor role standing at school, teaching swimming and dance lessons in the Summer and balancing her social life.

Tess has been a wonderful ambassador for our Studio, The Dance Class. Our mission, to Change the Way Milton Moves, is what Tess aims to do each and every time she enters class.  She has given back to the community through dance performances including Culture Days, Halton Dance Network Heartbeatz, The Milton Arts Centre Mayors Gala, Halton Autism Awareness Fundraiser, The Nutcracker Holiday Spectacular, Milton Strawberry Festival, Pan Am 1 Year Countdown, Campbellville’s 100th Anniversary, Milton District Hospital Fundraisers and Relay for Life Opening Ceremonies. Through these events she has made her audience not only appreciate the art of dance but has inspired numerous audience members to pursue a healthier lifestyle by adding dance into their weekly routines. These events have also raised awareness and funds for these organizations. Last year, Tess and another student from our studio, organized a fundraiser for a family who’s daughter had been diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of 5. The fundraiser raised over $2,700 for the family to use for medical expenses. She also organized a flash mob and personalized instructional video for the dancer to use at the hospital so she could keep practicing and keep up with her friends in class. Her biggest contribution to the dance community is her ability to nurture, develop and praise the next generation of dancers. She is a calm presence that inspires dancers in her classes to reach for their personal bests. 

It is rare for a teacher to find a young adult who is so committed. Tess has always been the first to volunteer to lend a helping hand and we foresee a bright future for her in the world of dance. Although she has not fully made up her mind whether she will teach or perform, we know dance will always remain an important part of her life. Tess is a superb example of how the art of dance can create confident leaders and role models for the  next generation.”  Ashley Summers-Macdonald & Kelly Summers, The Dance Class,Milton


The Youth Dance Award is named in honour of long time Board member and founding Chair of Dance Ontario Association, Jacque Foesier whose lifetime commitment to bringing dance to youth from all backgrounds is a shining example for us all. In 2017, due to the generosity of the Foesier Family and their friends Martha Jarrell, Roberta Kremer & the Finkelstein Family, Gerald P. King, Susan Lapell, Amy Stone, Karlee Vukets, this award will carry a cash contribution towards the recipient’s ongoing training.

 

Come and see Tess at DanceWeekend on Sunday January 22, 2017!