In the three years since artistic director Paige Anderson took over Laszlo Tamasik Dance Academy, the school has continued to grow in both enrolment and reputation.
A celebrated dancer and teacher, Tamasik asked his former student to take over the school in 2015 when he turned 70.
“It was kind of cute because he didn’t really give me a choice,” said Anderson, who was already busy working as a realtor and raising a young family.
“He said ‘you can do both,’” she added. “I said ‘but I’m going to change it completely,’ and he was fine with that.”
Since that time, the school has grown to include 14 faculty and more than five hundred dance students ranging in age from two years old to dancers in their 70s learning everything from musical theatre, ballet, tap, jazz and acro dance.
“It’s kind of turned into something bigger than I anticipated,” said Anderson, “which is fantastic, but I will need to hire some new teachers if it keeps growing.”
A group of 43 dancers age seven to 18 form the academy’s competitive programs. These are the students who put in the hours and may have future aspirations in the field of dance performance, said Anderson.
“They’re more serious; dance is their sport,” she added.
This year competitive dancers in grade 11 and 12 will be able to earn high school credits for some of the hours they dedicate to training. The competitive groups are split into four age categories; mini and novice teams are new this year, joining already established junior and senior groups.
Anderson said the first-year competitors did extremely well at a recent competition in North Vancouver.
“The novice team placed sixth and 10th out of 79 group numbers,” she said. “I handpicked that team based on their confidence, passion and stage presence, and they worked really well together. It was quite magical.”
A record number of dancers have also been chosen to participate in Performing Arts BC’s provincial competitions that take place later this month in Victoria. In order to be chosen, dancers must score above 86 per cent on their solos.
“I’m really proud of how much the kids have improved,” said Anderson. “When we go to competition the adjudicators now comment that their technique is good. That makes me really proud because I know we’re doing something right.”
Anderson attributes much of the school’s success to the quality of instruction students receive.
“My faculty is amazing,” she said. “I’m so lucky to have the people I have.”
Laszlo Tamasik originally came to Canada in 1967 from Hungary to continue his professional dancing career in ballet. He arrived in Powell River in 1989 after seeing an advertisement from Powell River School of Dance Society looking for a weekend ballet instructor.
It did not take long for him to fall in love with the town and he has lived here ever since. Tamasik remains involved with the academy by teaching one adult class and attending all the school’s performances.
“It’s excellent. I’m very proud of Paige and all the kids are doing so well,” said Tamasik. “I watch their performances and enjoy them so much.”
In June, students age two to 18 will participate in a year-end show taking place over two nights.
There are many dance numbers to incorporate so each night’s performance will be completely different, said Anderson.
“It gives everybody an opportunity to showcase everything they’ve been working on,” she said. “And the babies always steal the show; the two-year olds are the cutest thing.”
