Indigenous talent to be celebrated at Stars of Tomorrow
The free event is being held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Michelle Farmer's Studio of Dance and Modelling, the longest running Indigenous-owned talent studio in North America.
For five decades now, Farmer has empowered over 5000 Indigenous youth through the art of dance, modeling and performing.
The showcase will be hosted by Gary Farmer, an Indigenous actor and musician, and will feature a line-up of performances from comedian, Janelle Niles; Derek Miller, a two-time JUNO Award winning singer-songwriter and guitarist; and Six Nations musicians Lacey Hill and James Wilson. Naturally, it wouldn't be a showcase without putting the spotlight on local talent. Multiple generations of Michelle's dancers and models will all be there to pay tribute not only to the studio's founder, but to celebrate the overall strength, style of Indigenous people and their creativity.
'We're not just celebrating a dance showcase,' said Michelle. 'We're celebrating 50 years of Indigenous brilliance, mentorship, and community. This is for all the students, families, and supporters who believed in our vision and kept the fire going.'
On Tuesday, January 14, Erin Monture, a volunteer with the Studio, shared a bit more information to the Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council.
'Michelle Farmer's Studio of Dance and Modelling has won numerous National Championships in Niagara Falls, New York City, Ohio, Myrtle Beach and California,' Monture told councillors. 'Models have graced the stage on various runways, and students have landed leading roles in mainstream television and movies.'
She also provided a bit of Michelle's background and what led to her long career as a dance teacher.
'She began dancing at the age of two and moved to Six Nations at 12 years old. She was told by several dance studios that there was nothing more they could teach her that she didn't already know,' said Monture. 'She went to Toronto for lessons throughout high school and she also took training in Chicago, and did 13 consecutive years in New York City where she was able to audition for the Radio City Rockettes. She always remembers the teacher telling her that 'it didn't matter if you had a small studio in a strip mall, or on the third floor of a building, you can produce powerful dancers no matter where you are.' For 50 years, she's been doing that out of her basement.'
Noting that the showcase would coincide with Six Nations Community Awareness Month, she wanted to be able to adapt it as a free event for everyone. 'We do share a common goal when it comes to support and development for the community,' continued Monture. 'Michelle Farmer's Studio of Dance and Modelling provides a safe place for our children, our youth and our adults to feel empowered, to build our self esteem, express our emotions, positively impacting our physical, mental, emotional and social development.'
Overall, she said that the event wasn't just about celebrating Michelle's business, it was about celebrating the entire Six Nations community.
'Even though she's a business owner, she doesn't profit from any of this,' said Monture. 'This is a showcase of our community members; our youth, our teens, our adults, you know? It's us who benefit from watching this.'
Kimberly De Jong's reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at
kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca
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