WELCOME TO
⋆Our Story⋆
Shine was founded in 2005 to provide inclusive events that unite the dance community and honour the dance journey of each group, studio and individual. At Shine we believe that competition is a valuable platform for learning valuable life skills, forging new friendships, and inspiring motivation. We are committed to creating an atmosphere of authenticity, community, and connection, setting the stage for all participants to Shine. From our qualified adjudicators to our cutting-edge technology, meaningful awards, our people, policies, and communication, we bring dancers, teachers and families together to experience the magic of dance to connect and inspire.
We UNITE & EMPOWER the dance community!
The SHINE Promise
⋆ Honest Scoring
⋆ Every Award Has Meaning
⋆ Meticulous Adjudicator Selection
⋆ A Safe and Healthy Dance Culture for Youth
⋆ We Give Back to our Community
⋆Our Professional Team⋆
Founder + Director
TAMARA THOMPSON LEVI
Shine founder and director, Tamara Thompson Levi is a dance educator, director, and mentor dedicated to empowering youth with life-changing values through the discipline of dance. Tamara created Shine Dance Festival to provide a competitive experience that emphasizes education and development in a culture of community. Also the founder of The Dance Leadership Institute, an organization offering professional development for dance educators and business owners, Tamara is the developer and facilitator of Canada’s most comprehensive dance adjudicator training and certification program.
Her holistic and detailed approach to producing professional quality dance events draws on over 40 years in the dance industry as a competitive dancer, professional performer, adjudicator, choreographer, and dance teacher. Tamara grew up in Edmonton, Alberta where she received high-quality training in multiple disciplines, and began her professional performing career straight out of high school dancing her way around the world on stage for companies including Alberta Ballet, Calvin Klein, MAC Cosmetics, New Balance, and Festival Cruise Line, as well as on-screen in numerous movies, music videos, and film projects including multi-award-winning dance film “Black Angels”.
Her love of learning and continuous development led her to transition into teaching dance in schools, at events across Canada, and in studios where Tamara has prepared students for exams and competitions. She has also taught at the post-secondary level on faculty at Capilano University and TDI Professional Dance Training Program. Tamara completed the Youth Protection Advocates in Dance certification in 2019 and is committed to promoting a conscientious and wellness-centered approach to dance culture.
Tamara is an active mentor with WeBC as well as the mentor.ly online platform. Since starting Shine Dance Festival 19 years ago, Tamara has expanded her events across BC and into the virtual realm bridging communities, across the province and internationally, through educational programs that nurture and elevate dancers, educators, and business owners. Get to know Tamara - check out her 2022 interview on Dance Talks!
MADISON HIRSEKORN
Event Coordinator
Originally from Calgary, AB, Madi grew up dancing onstage competitively for seventeen years…so it’s no surprise her journey brought her to pursue the role of Event Coordinator with Shine. It was after moving to Vancouver that Madi discovered why she loved to dance…because movement is for EVERYONE. Madi loves dance, music, and movement so much that she even found a way to do it on a stationary bike as a spin instructor! When she isn’t teaching dance or spin, you can find her with her nose in a book, or walking to her favourite cafe for a Vanilla Latte. Madi is so incredibly excited for this season with Shine!
WE BELIEVE
In honouring each individual’s personal journey through dance.
Dance fulfills a different purpose in each person’s life. Whatever the call to dance, the skills, lessons, and memories have a lifelong impact.
⋆Join The Shine FAMILY⋆
JOIN THE CREW
Are you a team player with a positive vibe who thrives in a fast-paced work environment and is dedicated to top-level customer service? If you answered YES to all of the above we would LOVE to hear from you! * You may recognize many members of our crew from their time on the Shine stage and as members of Canada’s professional performance community. A dance background is an asset, but not essential ;)
ADJUDICATE AT SHINE
Shine Adjudicators are role models and mentors committed to the healthy development of young artists. Do you have a deep experiential understanding of dance? Are you personable and articulate, with training and teaching experience in a broad range of levels and dance disciplines? Click below to find out how you can apply to join the Shine Adjudicator Roster.