Many young Calgarians dream of becoming a professional dancer. Lisa Svecla has been helping children pursue their dreams for more than three decades.
Jorgia Kay loves to dance. The 11-year-old has been performing since the age of three and she’s received the majority of her instruction from Lisa, who teaches the competitive dance program at Premiere Dance Academy.
Jorgia has high praise for her teacher.
“She's just such an inspiration to everyone here at the studio,” said Jorgia. “The dancer that she is and the teacher that she is, she just pushes us so that we can be just as amazing a dancer as she is.”
Like Jorgia, Lisa fell in love with dance at a young age.
By the time she reached her teenage years, Lisa knew she wanted to pass on her love by teaching dance and, at the age of 18, she began teaching.
Her love of teaching dance prompted Lisa to purchase the studio where she both learned and taught the art.
“It's what I've always wanted to do,” explains Lisa. “I love the kids, I love being here and I get to keep doing what I did when I was little.”
In 2014, Lisa celebrated her thirtieth year of teaching dance. She says the experience continues to reward.
“I've seen kids who have zero confidence come out of here with a lot of confidence, said Lisa. “In schoolwork, in doing presentations at school and in getting jobs and going to job interviews.”
Jorgia says being part of Lisa's competitive dance program has helped build her confidence level tremendously and taught her the importance of teamwork.
“It's just something that's pretty incredible,” said Jorgia. “Just being there with my team and having all these incredible teachers here that are just helping us along the way.”
She has years to decide but Jorgia is not ruling out a career in dancing; either as an instructor or a performer.
For three decades of helping girls realize their dreams of being dancers, Lisa Svecla is this week’s Inspiring Albertan.
