This years judges for 'Dancing in the Ridge' have been revealed.
Korleen Carreras, Graham Vanstone, and Whitney Mullins will be choosing their favourite amateur dancing teams when they take to the stage on Thursday, Nov. 21, for one of the Maple Ridge Community Foundation's biggest fundraisers of the year.
'Dancing in The Ridge' is inspired by the hit television show 'Dancing with the Stars', where local community leaders are paired with professional dance instructors and judged by prominent local figures. Dance teams are made up of volunteers who commit their time to raise funds, master a dance routine, and compete in the contest.
Money raised goes towards the Maple Ridge Community Foundation's Community Chest program, a program that provides financial support to those in need in crisis situations to: prevent homelessness and evictions; address health needs; to help in mental health crisis situations; prevent unemployment; or to ensure household safety and stability.
A variety of dance styles will be featured including hip-hop, jazz, and contemporary.
Carreras has been involved with Dancing in the Ridge since the inaugural event in 2022 and is excited to be back again judging for her third year.
She isn't new to the industry. The city councillor slipped on her first ballet and tap shoes at the age of three and quickly fell in love with dance. Carreras grew up in the studio and on the stage and successfully ran her own dance studio for a decade, contributing to the arts education of 450 children each year.
During this time Carreras completed her Advanced Teaching Certificate with the Association of International Dance Teachers in both Tap and Modern.
After retiring from teaching, she continued to stay active in the arts community as a member of the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Arts Council for six years finishing her term as president in 2017.
She was a member of the 2014 Pitt Meadows Centennial Organizing Committee, Maple Ridge 2020 BC Summer Games organizing committee, and 2020 Maple Ridge BC Summer Games legacy committee, and is the city representative on the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Arts Council, and Parks, Recreation, and Culture Committee.
Previous to her being elected City Councillor with the City of Maple Ridge, she was elected as school trustee with the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School District, a position she held for eight – including four years as board chair.
Graham Vanstone has more than 20 years of events experience and has lived in the community for most of his life. He has managed, produced, and consulted on many events through his many years in the industry including: consumer and trade shows, weddings, sporting events, concerts, and meetings.
FromTradex to the Langley Events Centre, Vanstone has worked for some of the best facilities Western Canada has to offer.
Whitney Mullins is an avid lover of the arts and its many facets. Mullins has been dancing and creating since the age of three – though her mother would say she started in the womb.
Her dance training began in ballet. But. when weak ankles and an ineptitude in French threatened to end her career, she discovered jazz and modern dance, which restored her passion.
After Mullins completed her teaching degree, she stumbled upon the world of high-school dance and for close to a decade, she coached multiple dance teams to victory and was an active member of the BC Dance Educator’s Association.
Mullins moved to Maple Ridge when she started her family.
She was invited to compete in the inaugural Dancing in the Ridge with a colleague, and is excited to be asked back in the role of judge this year.
Tickets are now on sale for the big event. Between six to eight teams will be taking part.
To apply for a community chest grant fill out an application form and sent it to: kgrogge@mrpmcs.ca and tcamire@mrpmcs.ca.
To purchase tickets for Dancing in the Ridge go to: https://theactmapleridge.org.
Tickets are $60 each plus $3 in fees. The show is expected to be about three hours in length.
'Dancing in the Ridge takes place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, at the ACT Arts Centre, 11944 Haney Place in Maple Ridge.
