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. Our qualified adjudicators are dedicated to the healthy development of young dancers and promoting valuable life skills through dance. We use cutting-edge technology to run the smoothest events from registration through to final awards and provide the best competition value with video adjudication and a wide array of meaningful awards. During the COVID19 pandemic, we united studio owners and competition directors from across Western Canada through weekly Zoom calls and offered LIVE STREAMED events providing a meaningful virtual competition experience to bring dancers, teachers and families together.

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 Canadian Dance Leadership, a best-practices organization offering training 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!

  • 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!

  • Abby started working for Shine in 2019. She is grateful to have worked at live events in various roles AND as the Office Assistant as she loves being able to get to know the dancers both on stage and off. Originally from Saskatchewan, Abby grew up competing and moved to Vancouver to spend 2 years dancing with The Source Dance Company. She then spent six months training in New York City and, after returning to Vancouver, joined Modus Operandi Contemporary Training Program where she is about to complete her 4th and final year. Her favourite beverage is coffee - preferably a latte, and bonus points if there is oat milk. When Abby is not dancing you can find her playing cards, cooking, and spending time outside with friends.

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

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 ;)

JOIN THE CREW

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.

ADJUDICATE AT SHINE