Epiphany Workshops Series (2009-2013)
Mario began his formal dance journey in 2008 when he joined PraiseTEAM studio in Surrey BC. With the hopes of leading his own high school dance team in the 2009-2010 School year, Mario desired to gain leadership and teaching experience. With that, he and his peers founded Epiphany Dance Crew and Epiphany Workshops. Based in Fraser Heights Rec Centre, Epiphany Workshops was a free dance class series that ran during the Rec Centre’s Youth Drop-in night every Saturday. The Workshops at Fraser Heights Rec Centre ran from 2009 to 2013.
“The purpose of Epiphany Workshops was to give both new dancers and aspiring choreographers a safe and supportive space to dance. This enabled youth of all socioeconomic backgrounds to gain experience teaching choreography, as well as take dance classes for free or by donation. Epiphany Workshops believed in a “no barriers” approach. This was such an important space for the exponentially growing dance scene back in the late 2000s/ early 2010’s” - Larissa Simpson (Co-organiser of Epiphany Workshops)
Epiphany Workshops Testimonials
“Epiphany was the spark that ignited what would be my dance career. Here I am over 10 years later performing on stages, on camera and travelling the world dancing. And all of this from the small recreation room of Fraser Heights Rec.” - Prince Nii
One of the many classes that ran at Fraser Heights Rec Centre in Surrey BC
"Growing up, Epiphany workshops truly helped me build my confidence as a choreographer and performer. These workshops were essential to a lot of dancers in the community and I wouldn’t be where I am today in the industry without these early years of my dance journey” - Michael Delleva
Epiphany Workshops became an amazing tool for new up-and-coming dancers who wanted to gain teaching experience. Many of the instructors came from the wider Vancouver High School dance community.