Ballet Bootcamp, Masterclass with Chan Hon Go

A few weeks ago I received the following email:

Hi Raymi,

Celebrated professional ballet dancer, Chan Hon Goh is coming to Toronto! With ballet fitness become increasingly popular, we wanted to give Toronto media a taste what it’s like to undergo dance training, like the professionals, tutu’s optional (but encouraged).

We would like to invite you to join us on Monday, February 8th for an introductory ballet bootcamp class taught by Chan Hon Goh, former Principle Dancer of the National Ballet of Canada and Director of Goh Ballet Academy.

As part of Chan’s Masterclass Series tour across Canada, Chan will be hosting a fun, introductory ballet class at at Dance Teq Centre (226 Queen St W). Class will start at 5pm and last approximately 45 minutes. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for participants to learn directly from Canada’s Prima Ballerina.

Chan will be available 30 minutes before and after class to share her story on the journey from being Principle Dancer at the National Ballet of Canada for 15 years to entrepreneur and mentor for aspiring dancers across Canada. Chan has an incredible presence and we can guarantee an engaging and entertaining session.

As space is limited, please let us know by Sunday, January 31st if you’re keen to get in touch with your inner ballerina!

Thank you,

How could I possibly say no to that?

So off I went to DanceTeq in my most ballerina-appropes clothes I could (nervously) get together to let’er go on the dance floor like old times. I studied dance for several years during my tween to teen and adolescent years which never really left me. Dance is a great skill to possess for various reasons. Football players have been known to take lessons to help them move with ease and grace on the field. I can pivot out of any catastrophe, yo!

The views from DanceTeq’s corner classroom are exceptional if you’re any breed of Toronto aficianado, personality, interloper of the MUCH Music/Queen landscape, fangirl… in short, I recognized a lot of people I knew (and imagined) walking by the windows down there, good stuff.

Classic ballet floorwork you’d see in Swan lake. The offers will just start rolling in once I hit publish no doubt.

Just like bunnies.

Note how my feet look like the insert of a cardboard cutout stand? That means I’m doing it right. Olga (fancy tights) was there representing She Does The City, we have known each other aaaaaaages.

I would love to take a weekly dance class again. I appreciate it so much more now, while I thoroughly loved jazz when I took it years ago I want to refine my talents again I could be a way better burlesque dancer if so.

Plus I didn’t have a smartphone when I was a teenager (they weren’t invented yet) and thus, could take selfies. When I announced I was going to do this class with Chan my colleague goes, you’re a little old. I was like p’shaaaawww! I’ll show you bro.

Chan is an amazing teacher. She speaks with such knowledge of her craft, she is elegant, dainty, all the proper hallmarks of a former principle dancer for The National Ballet. It was nostalgic for me to do this that’s why I did not hesitate at all. I get bored easily I need new challenges constantly.

The feedback received from our ballet class was positive and encouraging. Trying not to be egotistical but they said I looked and moved like a real ballerina too.

DanceTeq has drop-in classes so if you plan to seriously go to one get in contact with me and I will totally come with. Boys too of course. Lets get cast in a dance music video together.

Til next time, Toronto! Thank you once again Chan Hon Go.