As a young dancer in small town Northern B.C., Monica helped me in every way towards becoming a professional. She was living proof that it was possible to make dance your career when coming from such a small and remote community with few opportunities and little exposure. Because of Monica’s expertise and experience as a professional herself, I had the coaching and training necessary to take my dancing to the next step. She taught me that it only took hard work and determination to be successful and she generously put extra time and energy into my training. As a young girl I was inspired by Monica’s life as a dancer and by her passion for movement and the body. I am so fortunate to have had Monica as a coach and mentor, and now that I am an adult, as a friend. She has never stopped supporting me even after I moved away from the community into the dance world. Thanks Monica!
-Thoenn Glover
The show would take shape from our rag tag mix of ideas to that cohesive unit that we could present to our audience and were proud of it.
As we put one rehearsal after another together, it’s always great fun to watch the dancers respond to Monica’s directions.
Monica’s choreography in dance performances is always visible from the audience…”yes! That’s Monica’s signature style”. Different enough to see, even I, a non-dancer could identify her art.
Always patient, with great people skills, an honest sense of humour, Monica has a way of bringing out the best in everyone, enabling us to work up the next level.
Our community has always been blessed with a strong volunteer ethic, and the arts are no exception. When asked to help out with our fundraising productions, Monica was always there from start to finish; learning what we needed from her and then always surpassing our expectations through the dancers.
As a past director of the arts council, it was my honour to present a special award to Monica a few years back. The SMART Award (Smithers ART) recognizes local artists who go above and beyond their work for the sake of others a community. Monica definitely fit the criteria. Thank you Monica again, for being part of our community.
– Tom Young
