May 2012 Member's Newsletter
Get to know your CADA/BC
This edition features changes to our
Training Subsidy Program, a profile of Member
Laura Ross and our monthly
advocacy challenge.
TSP Update
Special Training eligible for $200 subsidy per year.
Following many conversations with and amongst our
Training Subsidy Program Advisory Committee, we have capped the annual TSP limit for
Special Training at $200 per year.
Special Training includes activities undertaken to pursue dance contracts—training outside of dance like voice, theatre, martial arts, wall climbing, etc.
TSP guidelines now reflect this change.
To apply for Special Training subsidy, please submit the TSP Application Form as well as a short letter outlining how the
Special Training is applicable to your professional employment as a dance artist.
Please feel free to
contact our office to discuss the eligibility of any training initiative.
Also, please note that all receipts submitted must have your name, date of purchase, location of training, cost and brief description of training type.
CADA/BC Profile
Laura Ross
emerging musical theatre artist
How old are you?
I am 30.
How long have you been a CADA/BC Member?
1 year and prior to this I was a CADA/ON member since 2005. I had heard of CADA/ON through the DTRC.
What is a typical day for you, training-wise?
Ideally, I'd like to take at least 3 dance classes a week, plus 3—4 trips to the gym. Weekly, I have a private vocal coaching with
Sanders Whiting. I make sure I do a daily 1 hour vocal practice of my own to prepare for my next lesson and hopefully an upcoming audition. Also, I try to sit down at the computer every day to search for auditions or to send email submissions to theatre companies.
How does being a CADA Member support your training?
Well, a few months back, I asked CADA/BC to consider including my vocal lessons along with my dance classes for the Training Subsidy Program. And, you said yes! When going to musical theatre auditions, the part I struggle with most, is the singing component. For the past few years I've been focusing on my singing and trying to make it as strong as my dance technique, but vocal lessons are nearly 3—4 times more expensive than dance classes. With CADA helping me, I feel less stress about how I'm going to afford my next lesson. And, it has paid off! Just this month I auditioned and booked a contract.
How else do you support your training?
Teaching dance, background work on film sets and promotional work for various marketing companies. Also, I tour with
KOBA Family Entertainment, usually as dance captain, entertaining little tots across Canada.
Speak With Your Feet
This month's advocacy challenge...
Speak to someone, everyday, about your art. Talk about dance with those you love, as well as to complete strangers.
How often are you confronted with questions about what you do as a dancer?
How do you respond? Are you quick to change the subject?
As professionals working in a time of severe marginalization of the arts—cuts to funding, arguments in the media and political arenas that they do not significantly impact on society—we are at risk of losing income, infrastructure and audiences.
If we do not talk about dance, who will?
To raise the general awareness of dance, and all of the arts, we need to speak passionately and articulately about what we do and how it contributes to society.
Through speaking about our art at a grassroots level we can deepen the larger community's understanding and enjoyment of it; making the arts an issue that a greater number of Canadians deem is important to support and to vote for.
Next time someone wants to hear about what you do, engage them with all of the conviction that you put in to your work in the studio.
CADA/BC and its Members...
Ensuring dance remains a vital part of our culture.
