For Vancouver-born dancer Emma Kuusela, joining Ballet BC was a full-circle moment. After first discovering the company as a student, she now dances with the company as an Emerging Artist. Below, she reflects on the path that brought her here.
How has Ballet BC shaped your career, and what role does it play for emerging dancers in BC?
Growing up in Vancouver, BC, Ballet BC’s shows have been some of my first experiences of viewing professional dance, greatly inspiring my journey as a dancer. I began dancing at three years old in a local community class, later moving on to dance in Arts Umbrella’s Professional Dance Program under the direction of Artemis Gordon, Lynn Sheppard and Sabra Perry.
It was during my time at Arts Umbrella that I was introduced to Ballet BC, and truly developed my love for dance and movement. The intensity of the training allowed me to develop my strength and precision, while also beginning to discover myself as a unique artist. Arts Umbrella has not only taught me about the physicality that dance requires, but it also has instilled in me the important aspects of building a community and environment in the studio. It was during my three years in Arts Umbrella’s Post-Secondary Program where I truly learned what it means to be in a professional dance environment. Understanding what it means to be present in a room, what it means to physically discover and explore in the studio while also developing the skill of observing.
Emma with Ballet BC Annex
In my last year of professional training, I had the opportunity to participate in the Ballet BC 44 Summer Intensive. Being able to learn from the incredible artists at Ballet BC really strengthened my curiosity in discovering movement. From there, I went on to join Ballet BC’s Annex Program with the incredible experience of touring to schools around BC, sharing dance with students. Being in a company environment and taking class with the company members motivated and inspired me in many ways. Learning how to experiment with dynamics and musicality while also further pushing my abilities to explore the limits within the structure of the movement.
Joining Ballet BC as an Emerging Artist has been the most amazing experience and still feels unreal when I reflect on where I started as a young dancer looking up to Ballet BC artists. I feel extremely grateful being able to learn from such amazing people, while also challenging myself to push past my comfort zones and share myself as an artist.
Emma with Ballet BC and Arts Umbrella Artists in Frontier by Crystal Pite.
How did your dance journey begin, and how has Ballet BC supported your growth?
Dancing as an Emerging Artist with Ballet BC has definitely been a huge step in my dance journey. The period of transition from being a student in a school to being a dancer in a professional company is daunting and can often come with a lot of uncertainty. Being given my first professional opportunity with Ballet BC has opened my eyes to the professional dance world, has taught me to work and think in different ways, and has strengthened my values as an artist.
Being from Vancouver, I can attest to the impact that Ballet BC has had on dance and aspiring dancers in BC. As a student, watching Ballet BC inspired a desire to pursue dance professionally and has continued to guide me in my first steps as a company member.
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