When I was a little girl all I wanted to do was dance. I started off dancing at the age of four with the Hungarian Tulipan dancers of Ottawa. My mother put her three children including myself into this dance troupe for several years. Connecting to our traditional roots was very important for my parents. Growing up not only did we practise Hungarian dance, but we spoke the language at home too.
I loved traditional folkloric dance, but it wasn't enough! You could find me practising bigger moves and dance steps all the time. I would often put on mini dance performances for my family, until one day my mother told me I should try Jazz lessons.
To make a long story short, my mother enrolled me at the Ottawa Dance Academy where I began taking competitive Jazz, Tap and Ballet lessons. I spent the majority of my childhood training and competing with ODA until I was 16 years old. One thing I knew growing up, was I loved to dance!
After several competitions and dance studio's later, I decided to pursue a degree in dance at the University of Calgary (http://dance.ucalgary.ca/Alumni2003). This degree not only focused on all aspects of dance, dance and culture, dance pedagogy, choreography, improvisation, but also anatomy and kinesiology. It was an amazing four year journey where I met many influential teachers/mentors including; Yvonne Coutts, Michele Moss, Tara Wilson, Johanne Baker, Raul Guevara just to name a few.
After graduating in 2003, I received a scholarship the with Decidedly Jazz Danceworks where I received additional training and had the opportunity to perform with their school show "Live and in Sync".
In 2004, I decided to take further steps towards dancing professionally. I applied for a Career Development Grant from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, which I received. This grant helped me towards reaching my goals as a professional dancer. So I packed up and moved to Montreal and arrived in August of 2005!
From 2005-2009, I worked with some of the most inspiring people/dance companies in Montreal. I worked with Solid State Breakdance, which at the time was an all BGirl collective. These girls were fierce. I feel so honoured to have met these girls, who really helped shape my career, but also solidify my BGirling skills! I also had the opportunity to work with Rubberbandancegroup for almost three years. This was an experience of a lifetime. We toured all over the United States, Canada and Europe. It was so incredible to work at such a professional level with some of Canada's top notch dancers!
After I completed my contract with Rubberband, I began working with Blueprintforlife (http://www.blueprintforlife.ca/) in 2007. Blueprintforlife is a company that does social work through hip hop culture in Canada's far North including Nunavut, Nunavik and NWT. Over the last 5 years, I have had the opportunity to travel to over 27 communities working with Inuit and First Nations youth. Words can't even describe the things I have witnessed, experienced and learned along the way. Buddha (a.k.a Stephen Leafloor) is truly one of a kind. He taught me how to be confident in who I am and to never let anyone bring you down. His messages are super powerful and the impact we make with youth is incredible. My experience working up North made me realize how much I love working with youth. This is when I decided to take my dancing career to another level. I went back to school and did my Bachelor in Education degree at the University of Ottawa.
In 2010, I graduated with a B.Ed in Education and decided to plant my roots once again in my homeland of Ottawa. At first, Luv2Groove started out by offering only one workshop in Hip Hop/Breakdancing and now we offer: Yoga Groove, Capoeria, Zumba, Creative Dance, Jazz, Hip Hop, Breakdancing and more. Also, we offer 1hour workshops and 3-5 day dance units. In only 2 years, Luv2Groove has taught in over 200 schools and 7 different school boards across Ontario and Quebec. Each program is designed to address and enhance the Arts Curriculum. We offer a high level of educational dance workshops facilitated by some of Ottawa's most qualified dance instructors and teachers.
"It's not about getting all the dance steps right, but it's about trying, taking risks and challenging yourself physically and mentally that's most important."
"It's important that every student leaves feeling great about themselves!"
"L2G workshops encourage individuality, self-expression, inclusivity, empowerment and a positive attitude!"
That being said, thank you for taking the time to read my blog! We appreciate all your continued support. Please feel free to email me (Julia) for more information on our programs and how to book a workshop or dance unit.
We look forward to working to grooving and moving with you and your students!
One Luv,
-Julia Gutsik
 |
| Dancer/Luv2Groove Instructor: Raul Guevara (Bboy RA) Photographer: James Park |
 |
| Founder/Artistic Director of Luv2Groove: Julia Gutsik Photographer: James Park |
