Her mother danced with the National Ballet of Canada.
And while Langley’s Krystal Kohan took enough confidence from her mom’s achievement to pursue her own career as a dancer, the 27-year-old acknowledges it’s a life that can take a toll on both the body and the bank account.
Perhaps little can be done to lessen the physical and mental stresses the craft places on up-and-coming young dancers, but Kohan is determined to help ease the financial strain for those who are serious about pursuing their dream.
That’s one of the goals of Para Minha Mae – a dance event set to take the stage at the Chief Sepass Theatre on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13.
The phrase means “for my mother” in Portugese, explains Kohan, who is organizing the show which will feature performances in a range of styles – from ballet to hip hop to tap — as well as vendors and make-up demos.
“I grew up at my mother’s dance studio,” said Kohan, who now operates Thrive Dance Studio (formerly known as North Otter Society of Performing Arts) with her sister, Natalie Kohan, 22.
“(Dance) is a tight knit community but funding is tough,” she said.
“Luckily, I had a supportive family and they helped me get my degree in dance.
“But it’s tough to make the decision that ‘this is what I want to do for a living.’
“In order to become a significant part of the dance community, you need a degree. It would be very easy to choose something else,” said Kohan.
Dancers are donating their talents, and partial proceeds from the event will be put toward a scholarship which will be awarded based solely on the applicants’ dedication to their craft, rather than their academic achievement. It will be offered to an advanced level dancer in the Lower Mainland.
Tickets are $20 in advance or at the door. For any high school students who bring their moms, tickets will be $15 each.
Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and the show begins at 2 p.m.
