Spotlight on Young Artists!
Featured Young Artist – Sonja Ayala loves music, most specifically musical theatre, and singing is her greatest passion. She has been training as a triple threat since she was young, attending youth camps and classes, participating in school choirs and taking ongoing private vocal lesson. Sonja has been a dedicated member of the musical theatre program at St. Michael’s University School. As a grade 12 student, she is currently rehearsing for her fourth and final SMUS musical, The Prom, where she will be playing the lead role, DeeDee Allen. She has also just completed a successful run of Sweeney Todd at the McPherson Playhouse with VOS. After her graduation in June, Sonja will be pursuing musical theatre university programs and a BFA with the hopes of a long career in the performing arts. Sonja is very excited and grateful to be here and honoured to be the Peninsula Singers’ Spotlight Artist.
STAGES Dance Company is delighted to be back with the Peninsula Singers for, ‘That’s Entertainment!’ Since its founding in 1980, under the Artistic Direction of Kim Breiland, STAGES Performing Arts School and Dance Company has become one of Victoria’s largest and most active youth Dance Companies for children ranging in age from 2 years to adults.This marks the beginning of STAGES 44th season of dance.
With the start of this season these members were once again excited to be part of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Tour De Rock Finale at the Legislature this past October and returned to Galey Farms for 30 performances of their October themed productions of Dare to Dream and Halloween Howl also participating annually in the Santa Claus Parade and the Celebration of Dance at the UVic Farquhar.They have been a part of Dance Odyssey at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo and STAGES has continued to represent Victoria both locally and internationally as Ambassadors for Cultural Understanding and Peace.
STAGES is proud to have brought back Dancers4Kids this January 2023, bringing together 18 youth dance companies, such as the Lekwungen Traditional Dancers, circus performers and more. The event raised over $11,000 for Island Kids Cancer Association and KidsRun. An endowment fund for one of our own raised over $10,000 for Island Kids Cancer Society and KidsRun.
You will find graduates of STAGES Dance Company, many of whom once performed with the Peninsula Singers, in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company, working in film and television, on international cruise lines, working on Broadway and training internationally with Cirque du Soleil. STAGES DANCE COMPANY is celebrating our 44th year of bringing the love of dance, performance, and our community together.
Past Spotlight Artists:
Over the years, nearly fifty young singers, musicians and dancers have performed on the Charlie White stage as part of every Peninsula Singers’ concert. They add much to the musical texture of our concerts and we give them the experience vital to their musical journey. Many of them have gone on to professional careers, including Philip Manning (to name just one), now in the First Violin section of the Victoria Symphony Orchestra.
