Jan Garvey / Royal Academy Of Dancing

Alison Lamont has been entering candidates for classical ballet examinations for the last 31 years, with highly successful results. The Royal Academy of Dance is pleased to send international examiners annually to the Alison Lamont School of Dance to verify the high quality of teaching that students receive.

All best wishes,
Jan Garvey
National Administrator/Canada
Royal Academy of Dance

Michelle Baryliuk:

I was asked for a small write-up describing the effect of Alison and her school, on my personal dance history. Unfortunately, I was unable to write a single paragraph. Her impact on my life was so profound. I can hardly condense it Into one single page! The following is my personal testimony of one of the most impor­tant persons in my life; Alison Lamont.

After being a dance teacher throughout Canada for 8 years. I moved to Moscow, Russia, where l currently work as a choreogra­pher for school musicals and continue dancing. (Furthermore, l au­ditioned for musicals throughout Europe.) I owe my successes to the training and inspiration I received from the Alison Lamont School of Dance.

What sets the Alison Lamont School of Dance above other studi­os is Alison Lamont herself. The relationship between dance teach­er and student is unique and special, and few studios I have found can offer this. One needs discipline to learn to demand the best of oneself, encouragement during the slow and painstaking de­velopment of technique, guidance to open one's horizons to the many facets the dance world offers, and most importantly, inspira­tion.

I began dancing with Alison Lamont at the age of 6, She was my ultimate role model, everything I aspired to be. Annual exams are standard expectations in the dance world, and the Alison La­mont School of Dance taught and prepared us with absolute pro­fessionalism. I was also introduced to competitions and learned performance skills from an early age. I was encouraged to at­tend summer schools, learn from other teachers, where my eyes were opened to the level of excellence I could demand of my­self. Alison's encouragement led me to summer schools such as the Edmonton School of Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet and later, the International R.A.D. Summer School in London, England. Most important was her undying faith in me.

At a young age I asked. "What is the highest grade in ballet?' The answer was Solo Seal. I had decided I was going to achieve this one day. However, time and again, I was told by other teach­ers to consider teaching rather than dancing, as I didn't have the physique of a classical dancer. Seventeen years later, I was in a workshop with fellow dancers in Toronto, being instructed on the fin­er points of the Solo Seal syllabus. The last remark the guest instruc­tor made was, none of us were ready or capable of attaining our Solo Seal. However, with the dream of a little girl inside me, I was determined to persevere. A few months later, I was the only one to be awarded the Solo Seal in Canada in the last few years. Nothing is greater than having a life-long dream actually come true. I have Alison to thank. she sowed the seed of a dream inside me and gave me the tools to make it a reality. She gave me a life time of Inspiration. My thanks to Alison!


Michelle Baryliuk, ARAD
Solo Seal
Registered Teacher of R.A.D.

Kerri Wasylik-Clarke:

As a seasoned per­former In both Canada and the United States. I have worked with many choreographers in many different styles of dance, and so realize the impor­tance of a strong techni­cal dance background. I received such a back­ground while training with Alison Lamont in Lloydminster. Not only Is Alison an accredited dance teacher, she is also very well known and respect­ed in both the Canadian Dance Teacher's Associ­ation and the Royal Academy of Dancing. Alison has many former students, like myself, who have become successful dancers and dance teachers. I feel my peers would agree that our success is due largely to the strong training we re­ceived while under Alison's tutelage.

Not only will you find Alison an excellent teacher, but she also loves to dance and instills that love in her pupils. I thank you Alison for helping me reach my dream.

Recent credits include: Helena- The G-String Broke, (Capitol Theatre), Sheila - A Chorus Line, (Stage West, Mississauga), Shirley - Lady Be Good, (MTC), Ellie May - Showboat (Toronto & U.S. National Tour), Josie Pye - Anne of Green Gables, (Charlottetown), Bombalurina - Cats (Massey Hall & Canadian National Tour). Also appeared in the U.S. National tour of Durante, Stratford Festival, Crazy For You (Royal Alex), Swing (Drayton Theatre), and numerous summer theatres across Canada. Kerri has appeared in several movies, t.v. series, and commercials; the latest being in dance sequences in the feature film, AMELIA, and the series, MURDOCH MYSTERIES. She also has been heard in voice overs for series, MOW's and cartoons. (She has a recurring role as Fern's mom in ARTHUR). Kerri recently received her BFA from Ryerson Theatre School, and is a member of C.A.E.A, A.C.T.R.A. and I.A.T.S.E. She worked for Disney Cruise Lines as their maintenance choreographer for their shows and is the co-director of EXPOSURE TnT- a National talent brokerage company.

Rochelle Forland:

Making it in the musical theatre business isn't easy and you need to begin with solid technical training. Being a versatile dancer is a must and singing and acting abili­ties are valuable assets. Suc­cess is achieved by perspira­tion and Inspiration. Artistic creativity flourishes when technique has been perfect­ed. As a student of Alison's, I feel grateful to have re­ceived excellent training beginning with ballet and then jazz and tap. Exams proved valuable in that they provid­ed me with a goal to work to­wards and measured my progress.

Once again, you need to ground yourself with good technique. Competitions, workshops, local perfor­mances and recitals were excellent experiences that help a young performer grow. And the work didn't end there. I moved to Toronto to further my training at Ryerson Theatre School.

My re­wards have been a two year run of 'Crazy for You* at the Royal Alex Theatre in Toronto, (featuring Alan Frew of Glass Tiger), two seasons at Canada's Wonderland, and Canadian Armed Forces Tours, (where I had the pleasure of working with Camilla Scott, Bar­bara Hamilton and Mickey Rooney), which took me to Alert, N.W.T. and Bosnia. I continue to take classes in dance, voice and acting and am always trying to improve on my skills so I'll be prepared for the next audition. Good luck to ail those young performers starting out. Hard work will most certainly pay off. Break a leg!

Rochelle is currently working in the cruise industry and is presently Resident Choreographer for Disney Cruise Line (2002 to present.)

Rochelle Forland

Kylie Stanton:

It's been ten years since I first walked through the doors of Alison Lamont's School of Dance. In that time, I've had the pleasure of teaching workshops and setting choreography on a generation of students. While they were working on pointing their feet when we first met, they've now grown into beautiful dancers and confident individuals. Their development is a testament to the instruction they've received under Alison, who puts a strong emphasis on ballet technique and performance experience. Working with these students and seeing their progression has been a highlight in my career as a dance educator. Their dedication and passion is inspiring, and I look forward to continuing to work with the next generation of dancers.

Kylie Stanton

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