Goh Ballet Academy

Goh Ballet Academy is a school of classical ballet in Vancouver, British Columbia. Founded in 1978, the Goh Ballet Academy is an internationally renowned institute, recognized for its high caliber ballet training and performances, providing students with advanced knowledge to prepare them for a serious career in the field of dance. Former principal dancer of the National Ballet of Canada, Chan-hon Goh is currently the director of the Academy.

History

Founded in 1978 by co-founders Choo Chiat Goh and Lin Yee Goh. The Gohs immigrated to Vancouver, Canada from China. Mr. Goh is also the founder of the Goh Ballet Youth Company, which is aimed at advancing students for a professional career. Choo Chiat Goh trained on scholarship at London’s The Royal Ballet from there he joined Beijing Dance Academy and in 1959 joined the National Ballet of China. His wife Lin Yee Goh also trained at the Beijing Dance Academy and eventually became one of the National Ballet of China’s Ballet mistresses. Yin Yee Goh incorporated Royal Academy of Dance curriculum into the academy. She studied and taught in the Vaganova method studying technique and teaching elements under Russian master Nikolai Romancheva.[1] Chan-hon Goh daughter of the founders and now director of the academy was principal dancer of the National Ballet of Canada for 20 years. She was also a prize recipient of the Prix de Lausanne. This is an annual international competition for youth in Switzerland who are seeking to pursue professional careers.

Tour

Goh Ballet has toured the Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, and the United States. In 1994, the Youth Company was the first Canadian institution to be asked to perform at Rencontres Internationales de la Danse Festival in La Baule, France where its performance had eight curtain calls.

Awards

Founders awards

Classes

They offer a Junior school and a Senior school. The Junior school is for those ages 4 and up beginning ballet training. The Senior Professional program is for levels of elementary, intermediate and advanced students ages twelve and up. This program offers Full day and Half Day programs. Full day program is for dedicated students wishing to have a career in professional dance. The style of training is the Vaganova method, but students take other classes such as jazz, pointe work, and contemporary. The program also gives exposure to internationally renowned guest teachers. The half day program attends to aspiring dancers, but those who still want to achieve their academic goals. These students work through the SPARTS (School’s Performing Athletic and Arts) program. (part of the Vancouver School Board) grades 8-12. Auditions are needed to be accepted into the Senior Professional Program half and full day which is open to “high performance” individuals who are committed to their education and training. Goh Ballet Academy also offers Adult classes, beginners 1&2. As well as Summer Intensives Ballet students from all over the world audition for the Goh Ballet's International Summer Intensive and Junior Summer Intensive. The most proficient of students are accepted to study in this annual program.

Curriculum offered to the Senior Professional Program includes: Ballet, Pointe, Repertoire, Men’s Work, Body Conditioning and Stretching, Choreography, Contemporary, Pas de Deux, Performance Workshop, Nutrition, and Ballet History classes.

Today

Recently Chan-hon Goh has introduced a Master class Series. Master classes are for aspiring dancers to enhance professional training and receive coaching. The master classes will be hosted in nine cities including Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Kelowna, Nanaimo and Vancouver.[2] Master classes are an opportunity for featured artists to mentor participants and focus on artistic elements not typically accessible in standard ballet classes.

Performances

The Goh ballet is known for their performance of the winter Holiday classic “The Nutcracker”. The Goh Ballet Academy’s performance of The Nutcracker is not strictly selective to their academy. Their cast 2012 was a compilation of 200 students from different dance companies all over Vancouver. Executive producer of Vancouver's Nutcracker ballet, Chan-hon Goh reminds us that the "Nutcracker is its own entity. It's meant for the city."[3] The students also have an end-of year performance which has dedicated class time and Goh academy students only performance. The Goh Youth Ballet Company has more opportunities for students its goal is to provide time for students in front of an audience and prepare them for professional careers. All students are welcome to audition for the Company and perform with the GYBC.

References

  1. ↑ , Katie Weber, January 2013, Retrieved March 2014
  2. ↑ Writer at Large "A Moment with Chan Hon Goh, One of Canada's Most Prolific Prima Ballerinas", Vancouver Lifestyles, February 16, 2012
  3. ↑ Deborah Meyers "Sweet Nutcracker", The Vancouver Sun, December 12, 2013

External links