Hello again! Today’s blog is written by
someone near and dear to me, Alison Keery. Alison has been my friend since our
first year at York University. I asked her to be a part
of a piece that I was choreographing for Dances of Offering and she was
incredibly supportive and performed the piece beautifully. I had the pleasure
of working with her again for last year’s Benefit Concert, when we performed a
very emotional duet together. I feel blessed to be able to collaborate with her
again this year and am glad to have shared this experience with her. So without further ado, Alison Keery!
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Alison Keery
Photo credit: Andrea de Keijzer |
In 2008 I moved to Toronto
from a small town in Northern British Columbia to study dance at York University. I didn’t know very many people but quickly
befriended Jessica Houghton who was also studying at York. We became fast friends and eventually she
asked me if I would be interested in performing in a group she was creating for
her studio’s annual benefit concert known as Dances of Offering. I was
touched and agreed to be her third dancer. Rehearsals took place at Pegasus Studios. I come from a very family oriented studio and
coming to Pegasus was a little like coming home for me. Their arms and doors were opened and I felt
very welcome and comfortable among the faculty and students. At the dress rehearsal I was treated with
compassion and professionalism and it felt so wonderful to be a part of such a
spectacular show. Again in 2010 I was
asked by Jessica to be in another piece she was creating for the same concert
and though most of our rehearsals took place at York for convenience sake, when
we did take them to Pegasus so that both Jane
Davis Munro, the studio director, and Janice Pomer, Jessica’s choreographic
mentor, were able to see the piece, I again felt welcomed as a member of
the Pegasus community. Janice - who had
never taught me technique - was supportive and encouraging in how I had grown
as a performer from when she last saw me.
I was touched that she had noticed and felt she was able to compliment
me on it in a familiar and “teacher-like” way.
Back stage at the show I truly felt this time like a member of Pegasus
Studios and was surrounded by the generosity that permeates the mentality of
all the faculty members, in particular Jane.
This is reflected in her continuous and annual dedication in creating
this beautiful performance for multiple different charity organizations. However, Dances
of Offerings is not only an offering to these various organizations but
also to lonely dancers who have found their way to a safe haven in a large and
sometimes overwhelming city. I will
forever be grateful to Jane and Janice for being so supportive and to Jessica
for welcoming me to her home.
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Alison Keery
Photo credit: Andrea de Keijzer |
I hope you all enjoyed hearing from Alison! Look forward to seeing her perform in Dances of Offering on February 12th at the Betty Oliphant Theatre. For tickets go to
http://www.dancesofoffering.myevent.com/
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