Danielle Gardner – Emerging Artist
stories & testimonials
As a young, emerging artist I really appreciated how on the MOVE brought dancers of different ages and ability levels together. Doing so created an atmosphere in which we could build connections and learn from each other.
Born: Surrey, B.C.
Principal Training: Danzmode Productions, Burnaby, B.C.
Attended on the MOVE: 2007
Currently: Preparing for Thailand tour with MOVE: the company, under the artistic direction of Josh Beamish
After graduating from The Langley Fine Arts School in Fort Langley, BC, I sometimes felt like a fish out of water. I had no clue where I belonged or how to make my first move into the professional world of dance. The year I participated in on the MOVE, I sought advice from one of the guest speakers, who told me to “look fear in the face and run with it”. That advice has been with me since, and has allowed me to take my career to the next level.
My first professional job was dancing on So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Season 3. I had auditioned for the previous season just for fun and ended up getting a ticket straight through to Toronto week. I made the Top 40 and learned so much in the process. I left knowing what to work on for next year; I had to find out who I really was as a dancer. For me, there was no better way to explore that than to work with Modus Operandi, under the direction of Tiffany Tregarthan and David Raymond. After a year of hard work I was not only a stronger person but I had a clearer vision of how I wanted to be perceived as a dancer. With newfound knowledge and strength I auditioned for Season 3. I made Top 20 this time, and in fact, ended up earning a place in the Top 4 girls in Canada – an amazing experience.
As a young, emerging artist I really appreciated how on the MOVE brought dancers of different ages and ability levels together. Doing so created an atmosphere in which we could build connections and learn from each other. I returned to on the MOVE as a guest speaker to share some of the lessons I have learned so far as an emerging artist. My hope is to inspire these young dancers, and to provide the same guidance to them as was provided to me.
I am currently rehearsing for an upcoming tour of Thailand with MOVE: the company, under the artistic direction of Josh Beamish, who inspires me daily to do my very best. I am also collaborating with dancers in Vancouver and New York on some new works to be performed next year….stay tuned!
