Richard Kim, the founder, and executive director of Studio Dance Arts in Sault Ste. Marie has been planning their 20th anniversary show for months. You can hear the anticipation in his voice as he talks about the details.
Kim says, “The show will feature our recreational dance students as well as our competitive dance students showcasing all of the hard work that they’ve done for the season.” The dancers who range in age from pre-schoolers to graduating seniors will be performing their routines with costumes, and professional lighting and sound.
Professional production
The 20th anniversary show will include a special performance by Studio Dance Arts alumni. Without giving too much away, Kim says, “Several former dancers or alumni from as far back as 2003 will be dusting off their dance shoes to join us, so it will be a nice reunion. Plus, approximately 43 competitive dancers from our second location on Marquette, Michigan will be coming to Sault Ste. Marie that weekend to perform on stage with us as well.”
Looking back over two decades, Richard Kim and his assistant director Tania Castellani-Greco are honored to have been a part of so many students’ journeys, whether they be recreational dancers or professionals. “I opened the dance studio in 2003 and since then, various students have been accepted into prestigious institutions like Interlochen Center for the Arts, The National Ballet School, Quinte Ballet School, and Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), among others.
Several former students have also continued their dance journeys into the professional dance world as performers, choreographers, teachers, studio directors, and actors.
20th anniversary performance is exceptionally special
Timothy Murphy, a local Soo-lebrity will be the emcee for the event on the afternoon of June 11th. This year it’s being held at GFL Memorial Gardens, a venue that can accommodate a much larger audience for one show.
During the first two years of the pandemic, the end-of-season performances were cancelled and because of that, this year’s live 20th anniversary show means so much more. The pandemic decimated the dance industry and forced many dance studios out of business, but Kim says Studio Dance Arts is still here because of the support from the community. “We’re very grateful to our families. We’re here because they’ve been loyal and supportive through our most challenging time. We’re very blessed.”
The 20th anniversary performance will be followed by an after-show celebration banquet at GFL Memorial Gardens. Richard Kim says, “It’s a perfect way to gather with our dance family and finish out the dance year.”
Tickets for the anniversary show can be purchased online or at the GFL Memorial Gardens box office. The tickets are reserved seating.
