Our Dance Safe
Donation protected
Hello friends!
For those who don't know me, I'm Dominique. I was born in Vancouver, where I lived up until the end of my bachelor's degree at UBC. I am now a grad student in Halifax (Dalhousie), working towards my MSc. I thank you for taking the time to consider my cause.
I created this page in hopes of earning your moral, if not financial, support towards my ongoing involvement with the performing arts and health communities. This includes the formation of my own, new organization.
Beginning in fall 2016, OurDanceSafe will provide regular ongoing dance classes at no charge, for marginalized women, children/youth, trans and non-binary populations. These individuals will be residents of temporary housing, and classes will be delivered on-site in facility meeting/common rooms. It is my goal to make accessible to this population, some means of creative and athletic expression.
I will combine only the fundamentals of dance technique with music or through silence. I will place an emphasis on breath, allowing it to fuel the intention behind each class. I will never use the word 'stress' in my class nor in my instruction, despite that stress is the very symptom which I aim to alleviate. Concepts of inclusivity, acceptance and interpersonal support will be emphasized during an instructional period that is entirely free of judgement. OurDanceSafe aims to amplify the benefits of a therapeutic setting, by cultivating a place for social acceptance and nonverbal release.
Operating out of Vancouver and Halifax in partnership with the YWCA and Adsum House, OurDanceSafe hopes to continue to expand its services to other organizations with your help.
This money will be put towards:
-A sound/speaker system for playing music in class
-Music (legally sourced)
-Dance props for kids (ribbons, scarves, jump ropes)
-Relevant dance attire appropriate for communal use (Ie. ballet skirts)
-Dress up props for kids (tiaras, masks)
-Transporation fees
-Other technology (blank CD's, instructional videos)
-Instructional compensation
Thank you for stopping by.
Sincerely,
Dominique
Relevant experience enabling me to pursue such a task includes having earned my first competitive instructor/choreographer position at the age of 16, with a local non-profit dance studio. In 2011, I was WEM/Peak Invitational's first LIVE/DANCE scholarship, which carved me new connections with industry professionals, provided me with a scholarship fund to Vancouver's Harbour Dance Centre and the opportunity for individual recognition at a provincial tier. I have trained with the Cuban National Ballet, and attended various dance conventions including NYCDA, Triple Threat, Coastal Dance Rage, among others. Most recently, I was able to train under Moses Asher Christen in his very own Lux Dance Company.
Clinically, I have shadowed physicians in VGH, Peace Arch and Surrey Memorial hospitals, building discretion and maturity that is required in fragile environments. In addition to my volunteering in the VGH Emerg dept., I was a case volunteer at Coast Mental Health for a year. There I regularly worked 1-on-1 with mentally ill residents in temporary housing, to practice social and employment skills for greater life functioning.
Logo design by Jordan Coil
For those who don't know me, I'm Dominique. I was born in Vancouver, where I lived up until the end of my bachelor's degree at UBC. I am now a grad student in Halifax (Dalhousie), working towards my MSc. I thank you for taking the time to consider my cause.
I created this page in hopes of earning your moral, if not financial, support towards my ongoing involvement with the performing arts and health communities. This includes the formation of my own, new organization.
Beginning in fall 2016, OurDanceSafe will provide regular ongoing dance classes at no charge, for marginalized women, children/youth, trans and non-binary populations. These individuals will be residents of temporary housing, and classes will be delivered on-site in facility meeting/common rooms. It is my goal to make accessible to this population, some means of creative and athletic expression.
I will combine only the fundamentals of dance technique with music or through silence. I will place an emphasis on breath, allowing it to fuel the intention behind each class. I will never use the word 'stress' in my class nor in my instruction, despite that stress is the very symptom which I aim to alleviate. Concepts of inclusivity, acceptance and interpersonal support will be emphasized during an instructional period that is entirely free of judgement. OurDanceSafe aims to amplify the benefits of a therapeutic setting, by cultivating a place for social acceptance and nonverbal release.
Operating out of Vancouver and Halifax in partnership with the YWCA and Adsum House, OurDanceSafe hopes to continue to expand its services to other organizations with your help.
This money will be put towards:
-A sound/speaker system for playing music in class
-Music (legally sourced)
-Dance props for kids (ribbons, scarves, jump ropes)
-Relevant dance attire appropriate for communal use (Ie. ballet skirts)
-Dress up props for kids (tiaras, masks)
-Transporation fees
-Other technology (blank CD's, instructional videos)
-Instructional compensation
Thank you for stopping by.
Sincerely,
Dominique
Relevant experience enabling me to pursue such a task includes having earned my first competitive instructor/choreographer position at the age of 16, with a local non-profit dance studio. In 2011, I was WEM/Peak Invitational's first LIVE/DANCE scholarship, which carved me new connections with industry professionals, provided me with a scholarship fund to Vancouver's Harbour Dance Centre and the opportunity for individual recognition at a provincial tier. I have trained with the Cuban National Ballet, and attended various dance conventions including NYCDA, Triple Threat, Coastal Dance Rage, among others. Most recently, I was able to train under Moses Asher Christen in his very own Lux Dance Company.
Clinically, I have shadowed physicians in VGH, Peace Arch and Surrey Memorial hospitals, building discretion and maturity that is required in fragile environments. In addition to my volunteering in the VGH Emerg dept., I was a case volunteer at Coast Mental Health for a year. There I regularly worked 1-on-1 with mentally ill residents in temporary housing, to practice social and employment skills for greater life functioning.
Logo design by Jordan Coil
Organizer
Dominique Salh
Organizer
Vancouver, BC
