Shawn here, with a quick update:

1.) There are no dance classes July 1st. Celebrate!

2.) It’s been an emotional week for many of us, with the passing of beloved icons. Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon and Michael Jackson (among others) all chose to be the best they could be in their lifetime. They inspired us to laugh, to dance…

…but most importantly, they taught us how to be good to people.

So let’s honour and celebrate their spirits. Let’s laugh and dance together. And let’s continue to be good to each other.

I wish you a Happy Canada Day. We live in a country where we are all free to write, learn, travel, and dance.

This Canada Day, we have much to celebrate!

- Shawn Byfield

http://Twitter.com/ShawnByfield

Today, I was transferring dance videos and files to my external hard drive.  In the process, here’s a quote I found:

It’s a favourite quote of Harold Gregg (www.TheYellowPages.com) and is now a renewed favourite of mine. He sticks it up on his desk. His advice?

When you read it each day, it will remind you of this: If you develop a business that you really love and are excited about, you will succeed beyond your wildest imaginations, work will become play, money will come in abundance but lose its importance, and someday you’ll wake up and say to yourself, “What other interest can I start developing today?” Then you will realize that you are living the life that you deserve.

The very same insight applies to dance, to art, and to life. Find what it is that you truly love- that thing that excites you- and challenge yourself to commit to improvement. If you do, you’ll be rewarded with inspiration and success.

What’s even more wonderful: Through your actions, you’ll inspire those around you to fulfill their own passions. You’ll be an example of someone taking initiative and following their heart.

As a dance choreographer, dance teacher and performer, I’m just one of many examples that show it’s 100% possible to succeed in life doing something you love.

Never fear failure. We’re all human! Just learn from your mistakes. I’m on my own roller coaster of challenges and mountain climbing. But the higher the mountain, the stronger you will and must become to reach its peak.

We all have personal high points to reach. It will be a climb regardless, so find the route you’ll enjoy most to get there and you’ll hardly notice the trek.

I’m very thankful that my life revolves around dance. It’s true: Love what you do, and you’ll never work a day in your life!

- Shawn Byfield
www.ShawnByfield.com

Toronto tap dance and hip hop classes

Toronto tap dance and hip hop dance lovers,

Shawn here. Introducing:  My new and improved dance class website! It’s definitely much easier for you to use, go take a look:

http://www.ShawnByfield.com

You’ll notice right away that the look and feel are still the same.

I know the graphics aren’t earth-shattering… but I think the homepage is more eye catching. I’ve also done some tweaking in the back end to make pages load faster.

Plus, I’ve simplified navigation, so even a 6 year old can work through the
site. Just in case your lil’ niece or nephew wants to dance with us.

Drop me a line if you have any glitches?

- Shawn  Byfield

–> PS: Adult tap dance classes, and adult hip hop classes are available, with different dance class levels for experts to absolute beginners.

Dancers often ask me what social networks I’m on, and where to find me online.

Well, if you enjoy social networking, where you can see what friends do on a daily basis, here’s where you can find me. Click the thumbnails for a larger image, you’ll see the web address:

And as always, if you have questions about dance classes in Toronto, need dance choreography or looking for challenging and inspiring dance workshops, contact us at my website:

Yours in dance,

- Shawn Byfield

Get in the hot tub party! Here’s the big link I told you about:

http://www.ShawnByfield.com/vip.htm

Go there right now to see the schedule and more stuff.

- Shawn Byfield

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL DANCE AUDITIONS IN MONTREAL ON JULY 4, 2009

Cirque du Soleil is seeking professional dancers for its current shows and upcoming creations.
 
We will be hosting an audition in Montreal on July 4th, 2009 for the following disciplines:

• Classical and Contemporary
• Ethnic and Traditional
• Hip-hop and Breakdance
• Jazz and Tap
• Other styles

 Dancers who are not contemporary/ballet/jazz must prepare a two minute performance excerpt (music of your choice on CD).
 
The audition will take place at:

Ballet Divertimento
3505, Durocher St., Montreal
Quebec H2X 2E7

Callback sessions will be held on July 5, 2009 from 9.00AM to 6.00PM.

To download the Registration form, click below

<http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/Casting/pdf/Registration_form.pdf>

We ask you to complete the top part, to carefully read the second part and sign the third part.  It is essential to bring this document at the audition.

Qualifications

• All dancers must be 18 years of age or older

Next steps

• Registration for all candidates will be held from 9:00 to 9:30 AM on July  4, 2009.  Auditions will begin right after the registration and will end  around 6:00 PM. Selections will be made throughout the day.  Please note  that only those candidates selected on the first day will be invited to the  callback session on July 5, 2009.
• Please bring a current version of your résumé and a recent photo with you  on the day of the audition.
• We recommend that you arrive already warmed-up and that everybody wear  fitted clothing (e.g. tights or leotards, as opposed to loose garments) and  dance shoes.  If you have a specialty, please bring appropriate shoes  (for example, pointes, character shoes, etc..).
• Please note that Cirque du Soleil will not pay for any expenses incurred  by candidates attending auditions.

Hip Hop Dance Class- Missy

Need dance inspiration? Here’s some hip hop choreography from a recent adult dance class in Toronto. The music we’re dancing to is Missy Elliott’s “I’m Really Hot”.

Comment and share your thoughts!

- Shawn B

(From The Dance Choreographer blog)

Springtime showers bringing you down lately? Not as happy, motivated or inspired as you’d like to be?

Yup, we all feel the effects of cloudy weather. But here’s an easy way to pick you mood up: Hip hop dance classes are an instant boost to your energy…

Click Here to read the rest of this post on The Dance Choreographer blog

## NEWSFLASH ##

It’s already here…Today (Tues. May 26,2009) is the last day for advance tickets!!! $15 advance tickets. 

ABA ENT is excited! Performers are excited! We know you’re excited and we’ll see you tomorrow!!!

ABA Entertainment
presents

THE BAZAAR
“Taking it Back to the 80s”

A night filled with showcases by some of Canada’s best dancers and choreographers. Come enjoy a flashback to the 80s through way of movement, in dance forms such as Contemporary, Funk, Bboying, Hiphop, Fusions and more…

Pieces by:
Lineen Duong
Diana Viselli
Hawk Gurlz
Tiara Ling 
Travis Knights
AIM(Shameka Blake)
Natalie Nesterenko
Shavaar Blackwood
Linda Garneau
Apolonia Velasquez
Ofilio Coto Portillo
Jeff Wong
Mathew Cuff
Minerva Mohabir
Faye Rauw
and more…

w/Musical Guests
Chad Pollett
Castro

Come and enjoy this display of art in motion. Dance, as it was meant to be!

Wednesday May 27, 2009
Opera House
735 Queen Street East
Doors open @ 9:30pm
Show time @ 10:30pm

DJ Court Jester will be spinning before and AFTER the show!!!!!

Advance tickets: $15
Doors: $20
19+ event (ID required)

For more info please contact info.aba@gmail.com

********TICKETS**********

OIP Dance Studios
190 Richmond Ave (side entrance) 2nd Floor
After 4pm

Annex Dance Academy
942 Bathurst St
Tues-Friday between 4-9pm