reviewvancouver:30 Years on the Goh

Choo Chiat and Lin Yee Goh are two of Canada’s most illustrious dance teachers and ambassadors.

After training and dancing in China, both as principal dancers, they made the bold move to immigrate to Canada in 1977.

At an age when most people are planting deeper roots, they spread their wings and made the bold move to journey to a new country, Canada, and to a new artistic adventure.

From humble beginnings in a basement dance studio, energized by the dream of a first class dance school, today, 30 years later, the Goh Ballet Academy is recognized as one of the premier ballet schools in North America with graduate students now dancing the world over.

The Gohs’ own daughter, Chan Hon Goh, a former student, is the graceful and brilliant principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada.

“As we continue our 30th anniversary year,” says Lin Yee proudly, “We have a very good guest artist for the summer program, Anna Marie Holmes. We want an international level of quality so always bring in the best teachers we can.”

The student alumni of the Goh Ballet academy are dancing with distinction literally around the world.

“We have students now dancing in Asia, Europe, North America including the San Francisco Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle. Another former student, Toru Shimazaki, is a highly regarded choreographer,” notes Choo Chiat.

Miguel Nguyen

Current student, Miguel Nguyen, has just completed high school and will now enter the one year professional program at the Goh Ballet Academy before embarking upon a dance career.

An energetic and technically strong dancer, Nguyen looks certain to have a promising career in ballet. “When I was still in school, I could not wait to dance, to move freely. I am very energetic so dance is right for me,” says Nguyen.

“After my professional year, I want to start out with a smaller company then progress to a bigger company. I enjoy the Nutcracker Ballet and Le Corsair. I love the energy dance gives, it fits with my personality.”

Stephanie Pedlow

Stephanie Pedlow is another promising Goh ballet student. Having recently graduated from high school, she will also embark upon the professional one year program

“I am determined to improve this summer. I am trying to improve my technique and variations, says Pedlow. This December, she will dance in the Goh Ballet Academy version of The Nutcracker.

“The Goh Ballet Academy is my second home,” adds Pedlow. “The Gohs are like parents, they look after you and are very supportive.”

Ken Guan

Ken Guam, a native of China and former student at the famed Beijing Dance Academy, is a young and talented teacher with the Goh Ballet Academy. His strong dance background, which still includes performing, brings added depth to his teaching.

“I came to Vancouver in 2000 as a student of the Gohs and graduated in 2003. Then I took the Royal Academy of Dance program and the RAD teaching course which is quite strenuous,” recalls Guan.

“I love Canada. I have more opportunity to dance here. Teaching also gives me more opportunity. In December, I will dance in the Goh Ballet Academy performance of The Nutcracker,” says Guan.

Anna Marie Holmes

Anna Marie Holmes, the former director of the acclaimed Boston Ballet, is the keynote instructor at the Goh Ballet summer school program and has a distinguished dance lineage.

She danced with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and trained and danced with the famous Kirov Ballet in St. Petersberg, Russia. In Russia, she worked with dance icon, Pushkin.

She has also worked in London and Lisbon and many other international dance centres. “Dance is an exhilarating feeling,” says Holmes with feeling.

“It also give me great pleasure to pass this along to a new generation of dancers. The Goh Ballet Academy is an excellent school. They have great dancers who go around the world. This is my third visit here to the summer program.”

As the Gohs reflect upon the first thirty years, they feel grateful to Canada and to all the wonderful supporters and students who have made the journey special.

Choo Chiat Goh, always energetic and enthusiastic about dance and people, observes that, “We are ambassadors of dance. The Goh Ballet Academy is a great chance for dancers to know the wider world of dance.”