Gemini Dance Studios

Gemini will be closing it's doors after this season due to our lack of support from the Sid Williams Theatre and the City of Courtenay.  Gemini, after 30 years, is now regarded by the Sid Williams Theatre Society as a commercial business so rental rates to use the Sid have increased 132%; a decision they made in February 2012 that was to cost Gemini families over $5000.  Prior to this decision, Gemini received community user group rates in recognition of our contribution to the children and the arts in the Comox Valley.  For this reason, my retirement will begin June 17th, 2012.  Until then, I will work toward a transition that will allow students to continue their training and education in the Performing Arts.

 

February 24, 2012

To the Board of Directors of the Sid Williams Theatre Society and,

To the Board of Directors and Council of the City of Courtenay, care of Randy Wiwchar

 

My name is Moira Newsom and I am the owner and Director of Gemini Dance Studios, School of Performing Arts.  In 1992, Fleetbeat was transferred to Sheila Sturgeon, my mother,  and renamed to be Gemini.  In 1998 Gemini was transferred to me and we have continued to contribute to the community ever since.

Gemini is a community business.  We have raised thousands of dancers and affected as many families in the Comox Valley.  We have students who are now working locally, nationally, and internationally as dancers, teachers, and choreographers.  We teach kids more than just how to dance.  The majority of our performing arts students are high achievers, both academically and personally.  They are leaders among our community.  We receive top honours with every endeavour because it is the community that we are.  I have examples, in the hundreds.

All of the teachers at Gemini were raised at Gemini.  Lindsey Sterk, owner of Pat Pantuso Dance, employs teachers who were raised at Gemini.   Amanda Rodgers, owner of Valley Dance Centre, employs students raised by Gemini;  and was at one time employed by Gemini.  Laurie Tinkler, owner of Laurie Tinkler Dance, has attended Gemini for associate training.  Gemini was the sole support for True Colours, Youth Company of Performing Arts until they were able to take the reins.  This company now supports dancers of the Comox Valley and beyond, inviting choreographers from all over to the Valley.   We have been friends of the local telethon for over 30 years, performing with them annually, and enjoy entering the local parades when we are able.  Gemini has a broad reach into the community because that is the result of its mandate. 

Your decision to allocate Gemini as a commercial business has increased our performance rental rates by 125%, our rehearsal rates by 100%, and our ticket printing costs by 100%.  Parents and grandparents would come to the Sid to see their child’s achievements in performing arts and they were asked to purchase a $20 ticket.  With the rate increase, an equivalent ticket price is $45.

 I am going to stand very tall and say NO!  Financially, Gemini cannot afford this increase as it runs at a 0 balance fiscally.  It will indeed be on the backs of the parents and grandparents of our community who have already chosen to afford fine arts education for their children.  Surely this cannot be your mandate.  This increase will break Gemini as I am unable to ask the parents to pay this.  I have not yet communicated this increase to our families and strongly hope I won’t need to. 

Financially, I pay property tax on a commercial building in the City of Courtenay to the tune of $10 000 annually and I uphold my fiscal responsibilities to the City.  Gemini needed a permanent home and my husband’s company afforded us one.  He had it build as a gift to me.  I would like to give you an opportunity to rethink the decision that turned Gemini Dance Studios into a commercial business when it has been, and always will be, a community business.  We are a community user group of the Sid Williams (Civic) Theatre, and have been (under different names), for over 30 years.  I respectfully request you re-instate our status of community user group and return our rates to a manageable level.  Further, I request you re-instate the status of community user group and rates to Lindsey Sterk, Laurie Tinkler, and Amanda Rodgers.  We all work for the children and families of your community and they need your support with this.

Respectfully,

Moira Newsom, AIDTA (Adv), Director and Owner

Gemini Dance Studios, School of Performing Arts, 2364-3 Rosewall Crescent, Courtenay, BC, V9N 8R9.

 

Photos by Boomer Jerritt - strathconaphotography.com