Surrey Festival of Dance Society was established in 1966, by a small but dedicated group of seven parents who wanted to promote dance within the community of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

Surrey Festival of Dance Society (more commonly known as Surrey Festival) is held annually each spring.  In its inaugural year, it drew 450 entries. Today it reaches between 8,000-10,000 performers, making it one of North Americas largest Dance Competition Festivals.

The early days of the Surrey Festival saw the event being held in churches, halls and libraries, or where ever space could be obtained. Then in 1980, the Surrey Arts Centre was constructed and the Surrey Festival of Dance Society made the centre its home base during competition times.

With its yearly growth, Surrey Festival welcomes generous support from Corporate Sponsors, Benefactors, Patrons and Donors.  We recognize and thank them for their tremendous backing. Also recognized and thanked are the many dance academies and studios that donate scholarships, participate and advertise within our Dance Festival Programme.

Every September, syllabus and entry forms are available and sent out. Then with every answer entries are processed and data entered, advertising is accepted, adjudicators are sourced out and a dance programme is generated.  Weeks of preparation culminates in the actual dance competition taking place through the month of April.

The Surrey Festival of Dance runs 4-5 weeks, seven days a week.  Participants range in ages of Preschool to Adult who compete in Ballet, Contemporary -Modern, International Dance, Jazz, Hip Hop/Street Dance, Tap & Stage, Acro-Dance, Musical Theatre, Studio Productions and Adults.

Surrey Festival of Dance Society is run 100 percent by participation from the Executive Board, Membership and Associate Members.  Without this support, the Surrey Festival of Dance Festival could not take place and operate the way it does.

During the Surrey Dance Festival, many of our volunteers donate their personal holiday time, take off secular work days, and leave personal endeavors or leisure activity to ensure the Dance Festival runs smoothly.

The Annual General Meeting is usually held in September/October.  All other general meetings usually fall on the third Thursday of the month unless notified of the date and time.

We encourage new members to come on board. Contact our office at 604-585-3320 or info@surreyfestival.com for more information.

Surrey Festival of Dance Society promotes performing arts and strives to meet the needs and challenges of dancers.  We achieve our goals through various festivals, classes, programs and workshops.  Below is a brief of our activities throughout the year:

Competitive Events

Surrey Festival of Dance is one of the largest dance competition in North America attracting up to 10,000 performers to the stage and awarding $60,000.00 PLUS in Bursaries and Scholarships annually.  In the past 25 years of our 53 year existence, we have awarded over $1.5 MILLION which is invested directly into our local and area dance community!

No Borders Group Dance Challenge is a group competition consisting of groups that have a placement of First with confirmation in their various dance categories in any given Dance Festival or Convention.

Non Competitive Events, Seminars & Workshops

Honour Awards Presentation is a special evening of acknowledgement for those selected as Provincial Representatives, Runners-Ups and Honoured Performers.

Dance and Wellness Seminar & Workshop is a 2-day event for dancers and teachers focusing on dance, nutrition and injury prevention.

Classes

Competitive Classes include Solo, Duos, Trios, and Groups.  Participants all receive written adjudication sheets.  The top three placements of each class may be awarded trophies or medallions, along with signed placement certificates.

Audition/Workshop Classes  are created to allow extra time to work exclusively with an adjudicator in a closed studio session to further their understanding of discipline and critique.

Master Classes open for open public participation enables those who wish to take part in a structured studio class.

Choreography/Student-Teacher Choreography Classes (see Syllabus) allows dancers to create, teach, and, or perform their work. These classes can be either solo, duos, trios, or groups.

Scholarships & Bursaries

Scholarship and Awards are selected only by the various Adjudicators.

Future Achievements Scholarship provides financial assistance for continued studies or training.

The Executive Board 2019

President:  Eric Igglesden
Vice President:  Mike Gisby
Treasurer:  Carol Girardi
Secretary:  Karen Law
Director @ Large:  James Crosty
Director @ Large:  Tom Sadler

The Executive Board 2018

President: Eric Igglesden
Vice President: Mike Gisby
Treasurer: Carol Girardi
Secretary: Karen Law
Director @ Large: Tom Sadler
Director @ Large: Joan Konno

Historic Archieve

YEAR              PRESIDENT
1967 – 1970    Mrs. Betty Fox
1970 – 1972    Mrs. Joan Russell
1972 – 1974    Mrs. Lorraine Nikkel
1974 – 1975    Mrs. Margaret LeLievre
1975 – 1977    Mrs. Maudie Toop
1977 – 1978    Mrs. Norma Ross
1978 – 1979    Mrs. Maudie Toop
1979 – 1981    Mrs. Barbara Marr
1981 – 1984    Mrs. Betty Lehmann
1984 – 1985    Mrs. Carmel Keenan
1985 – 1987    Mrs. Annetta Wolansky
1987 – 1989    Mrs. Betty Lehmann
1989 – 1999    Mr. Robin Smith
1999 – 2003    Mr. Gary Snow
2003 – 2005    Mr. Robin Smith
2006 – 2007     Mr. Robin Smith
2008-present    Mr. Eric Igglesden

The Executive Board 2019 – 2021

SFD President: James Crosty

President: Mike Gisby
Treasurer: Carol Girardi
Secretary: Karen Law
Director at Large: Dinah Abram
Director at Large: Linda Gordon

2021 Section Heads
(Appointed by the Executive Board)

Junior, Intermediate & Senior Ballet: Karen Law
International: Dinah Abram
Junior, Intermediate & Senior Contemporary & Modern: Leanne LaBallister
Junior Jazz: Suzanne Ouellette
Intermediate & Senior Jazz: Beth Barlow
Hip Hop & Street Dance: Dinah Abram
Junior Tap & Stage: Linda Gordon
Intermediate Tap & Stage: Josie Igglesden