Performing Dance Arts Releases Statement on Death of Canadian Dance Pioneer Grant Strate

Toronto, Canada

Performing Dance Arts (http://www.PerformingDanceArts.ca), Toronto's leading dance studio for children of all skill levels, is commenting on the recent passing of Canadian dance pioneer Grant Strate.

On Monday, February 9, legendary Canadian dancer Grant Strate lost his battle with cancer, passing away at his home in Vancouver. A winner of the Governor General's Performing Arts Lifetime Achievement Award and the Order of Canada, Strate's involvement in dance was prominent well into his senior years. He was 87. (Source: Crabb, M., "Canadian dance pioneer Grant Strate dies at 87," The Toronto Star, February 16, 2015; http://on.thestar.com/1yagjIj.)

"It's definitely sad to lose someone who's been such an influential part of the dance community," says Ashley Daychak, creative director at Performing Dance Arts. "Strate was basically one of the founding fathers of bringing dance to the forefront in this country, setting the table for an organization like Performing Dance Arts to have a dance studio and introduce more young people into the culture."

In addition to being part of the National Ballet of Canada in 1951, an organization he would later represent as its first choreographer, Strate also founded the dance department at York University in Toronto.

"He is literally a legend; just beginning the dance department at York still has residual impact today," Daychak explains. "Other achievements that should be noted are that he founded Dance in Canada, the first dance advocacy organization, and strongly focused on developing emerging talent."

"The dance community has lost an icon, but his influence will live on forever," Daychak concludes. "All of us at Performing Dance Arts send our condolences to the family of the late Grant Strate."

To learn how a child can get involved in dance, visit the Performing Dance Arts web site at http://www.PerformingDanceArts.ca or call 905-856-1030 to set up an appointment to visit Performing Dance Arts' dance studio in Vaughan.

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