Another wonderful year has past and JAM would like
to acknowledge a few of the Highlights of 2010 and 2011.

Canada Day at UOIT

JAM put on a dance demonstration at UOIT on Canada Day. Below are a couple of pictures of JAM dance students at the Canada Day celebration.

Cuts For Cancer

JAM, along with Maria Antonio Hair Design and LaFemme Hair, joined forces on Sunday, June 26th to help raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. The annual event was supported by many friends, family and staff and was a great success. A total of $1200. was raised for the charity along with 29 bundles of hair to be donated to Locks of Love to make wigs for cancer patients. A huge thank-you to everyone who cut or donated their hair - we couldn't have done it without you!

JAM and Sequins Plus Recognize Dancers

Blair Irish and Natalie Malyjasiak were the deserving recipients of this years JAM/Sequins Plus Award. Each year a scholarship is awarded to a student or students who have displayed exceptional potential and dedication to dance. The award was presented at the 2011 year-end recital in June. Well done ladies!

The four award winners of the JAM/Sequins Plus and the Pino Gravina Memorial Awards.

Pictured from left to right are Blair Irish, Grace Corby, Samantha Walcer and Natalie Malyjasiak.

Pino Gravina Memorial Award

This year Miss Jennifer has created an award that will be presented yearly in memory of her late husband. The Pino Gravina Memorial will recognize two students who have worked hard, shown determination and consistently good work ethic - qualities that exemplified who Pino was as a person. While there were many deserving students - only two could be chosen. This years winners are Grace Corby and Samantha Walcer - Congratulations!!

Scholarship Winners

Our 2010-2011 competitive year was full of awards and accomplishments. In addition to overall high score and choreography awards, various students were handpicked by the judges to receive scholarships to workshops throughout North America. Heather Stewart received two scholarships to “Be Discovered”, Sabrina Major was awarded a scholarship to “Fresh Dance Intensive”, Yasmin Elliott won both a scholarship to “Be Discovered” as well as Junior Most Potential, and Blair Irish took home three “Fresh Dance Intensive” scholarships!

Former JAM Student and
Current Guest Teacher is Flying High!

Former JAM dancer Emma Stones is continuing her education and taking it to the next level!  Emma is set to graduate from the National Circus School in Montreal, Quebec this June. After a successful audition Emma is now set to begin her training as a trapeze artist!  She will be in the studio as a part of our summer camp staff, instructing acrobatics, dance, and reaching for the stars!!

So You Think You Can Dance Comes to JAM!!!

In November, JAM was thrilled to welcome 3 former So You Think You Can Dance contestants into the studio for a workshop. The students spent the day learning from Melanie Mah, Cody Bonnell and Sebastian Mersch, and it was a blast! The trio taught classes in Hip Hop, Jazz and Contemporary, to both junior and senior age groups and were kind enough to hang out and sign autographs for all their fans!!  We look forward to another great day with SYTYCD dancers next fall.

Canadian Tap Team 2010

Sydney Major, Heather Stewart, Bridget Riberdy and Megan Verrydt all travelled to Germany this past December to represent Canada at the International Tap Dance Championships. The girls were coached by SYTYCD Canada’s Everitt Smith and had a great time learning from him and competing for Canada. The Tap Production placed 2nd, the Junior Tap Formation placed 3rd and the Senior Tap Formation placed 5th. Well done ladies!

New Associate BATD Members

During summer 2010 the British Association of Teachers of Dance welcomed 3 new members to the associate acro division. Charlotte Balluch, Natalie Atwood and Megan Verrydt were each successful in their examination to become associate members. A lot of hard work and dedication is required for this examination as well as a great knowledge and skill in acrobatics – we are very proud of you!!

BATD Recognizes Ballet Excellence

Heather Stewart was nominated by an examiner for the BATD for her excellence in ballet, to attend scholarship classes in Toronto this past winter. Examiners make their selection based on technique, ability and performance quality. Great job Heather!!

JAM and Sequins Plus Recognize Dancers

Together with Sequins Plus, JAM recognized Yasmin Elliott and Katy Schultz at the 2010 recital for their hard work and achievements in dance. Each year a scholarship is awarded to a student or students that display exceptional hard work, improvement and dedication to dance. Great work!

Cuts for Cancer and Light the Night

JAM is active in the fundraising community for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, as it is a cause very near and dear to our hearts. Our annual “Hair-A-Thon” raised $1,000 and 8 bundles of hair in 2010 and our Light the Night Walk team “Stallions Survivors” raised over $12,000 for the charity.  A big thank-you to everyone who cut or donated their hair, who walked or sponsored a walker. We look forward to making each of these events another great success in 2011!! Together we can make a difference.

Highlights of 2009