Honour Awards 2025
May 14, 2025 | Vancouver Guildford Sheraton Hotel | 7pm
‘No Borders Group Dance Challenge’
Returns in 2025
[Date Subject to Change]
You’re Invited to the Honour Awards!
On May 14 [date subject to change], visit the Vancouver Guildford Sheraton Hotel where we will recognize not only winners from the Surrey Festival of Dance but also the most promising dancers. Join us for an evening of elegance and class! Dress to impress for an unforgettable event. Don’t miss out on the chance to win gift baskets. We will be holding a free draw for all attendees to take home some amazing prizes.
Further details regarding this event will be coming shortly – but check off your calendar and make sure you attend.
Dancers are selected for recognition by the adjudicators, recipients receive either a trophy or scholarship – or both. All trophies are donated by long time dance supporters. A typical Honour Award programme will see 75 trophies and plaques put in the hands of deserving dancers, as is over $13,000 in scholarships. This critical recognition of talent and the awarding of financial assistance goes a long way to ensuring the continued careers of our most talented dancers.
Surrey Festival of Dance 2025
Celebrating 59 Years | April 1 – April 24
Modern & Contemporary| April 1 – 4
Ballet | April 5 – 11
Hip Hop/Street Dance | April 6
International | April 12 – 13
Jazz/Acro | April 14 – 17
Tape & Stage | April 22-24
NO BORDER GROUP DANCE CHALLENGE | May 10th
HONOUR AWARDS | May 14th
*All Dates and Locations Subject to Change.
One of North America’s Largest Dance Competitions
Vancouver Guildford Sheraton Hotel
15269 104 Ave, Surrey, BC V3R 1N5
Honour Awards | May 14th, 2025 | 7pm
‘No Borders Group Dance Challenge’ | May 10th, 2025
Dates Subject to Change
The Surrey Festival of Dance strives to provide quality programs, competitions, and opportunities to dancers of all ages and disciplines.
Learn more about what the Surrey Festival of Dance has to offer at the links below.
Welcome
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.
Who We Are
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.
What We Do
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.
Executive Board Archives
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
The Executive Board 2024/2025
SFD President: James Crosty
Vice President: Karen Law
Treasurer: Carol Girardi
Secretary: Leanne Beatty
Director at Large: Dinah Abram
Director at Large: Josie Igglesden
Director at Large: Helmut Gruntorad
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
Our Mission Is:
““To provide a high quality forum for dancers to perform, also to improve and expand dance awareness throughout the community.”
Our Mandate Is:
“To provide a high-quality forum for dancers to perform, also to improve and expand dance awareness throughout the community.”
In this section you will gain insight into our 59 year old organization.
We know that once you have read about us, we are certain you will want to consider becoming a MEMBER.
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Membership Information
Associate Membership
-to apply for membership to Surrey Festival of Dance Society become associate members first
-minimum one year term
-membership Fee is $15.00
-non-Voting
-attend all Surrey Festival of Dance Society general meetings and Annual AGM Meeting
-not eligible to sit on Executive Board of Directors
Membership
-membership Fee $5.00
-been an Associate Member in good standing for at least one year
-voting privileges in all general meetings and Annual AGM meeting
-eligible to sit on Executive Boards
-can be appointed as a Dance Section Head, Standing Committees
-attend all meetings and other special events
-receive minutes
Membership List
The following ‘MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING’ have paid dues of $5.00 per year and have obtained voting privileges, and been approved by the Board:
Dinah Abram
Beth Barlow
James Crosty
Patricia Dahlquist
Bryon Funk
Cindy Funk
Carol Girardi
Mike Gisby
Dr. Linda Gordon
Barbara Gould
Jane Grafton
Faye Grant
Eileen Gratland
Maxine Howchin
Pearl Hovasse
Eric Igglesden
Josie Igglesden
Ellie King
Geoff King
Audrey Kraushar
Karen Law
Leanne LaBallister
Alison Miller
Suzanne Ouellette
Yvonne Pepper
Tom Sadler
Sheila Smith
Susan Snow
Vandna Sidher
HONORARY MEMBERS
Doreene Rowe
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Associate Members (AM) pay $15.00 per year and are non-voting. An AM must hold this membership for the minimum of ONE YEAR before applying to become member
Arnold Fernandes
Michelle Gardner
Sarah Goodburn
Rhonda Gould
Marie-Claude Heath
Isabelle Ormandy
Jarnail Singh
Scholarship and Bursaries
Contact Us
Surrey Festival of Dance Society
13530 – 72nd Avenue
Surrey, British Columbia Canada
V3T 4X8
[Located in Newton Cultural Centre, Newton]
Ph: (604) 585-3320