After years of dance training at the Sudbury School of Ballet and the Arts Guild Dance Studio here in Sudbury, Denise Vitali wanted to become a professional dancer. Although she did pursue her dream for a time, it turned out it wasn't meant to be. But that's OK, because she found her true calling right here in her hometown.
“I think at the time I was not ready to take that step in to the world to dance, so I backtracked and came home,” Vitali said.
“That was probably a door closing and another opening, saying that's not where you should go, this is where you need to be.”
Thirty-two years ago, Vitali opened the Sudbury School of Dance on Pine Street. It's a decision she doesn't regret for a second.
She's also the artistic director of earthdancers, a local dance troupe that supports environmental causes.
Though she doesn't have kids of her own, the 61-year-old considers herself a mother to hundreds — her students. “I've got to mentor a lot of kids and have them come back and share experiences with me,” Vitali said.
On June 8, Vitali will be honoured as recipient of Sudbury Theatre Centre's STC Honours, which recognizes an individual's contribution to the arts in Greater Sudbury.
Although not her first award — Northern Life presented her with a Community Builders Award of Excellence in the arts category in 2005 — Vitali said she was “very surprised” when she heard the news about STC Honours.
“I think my mouth dropped,” she said. “I was at a loss for words. I just said 'Whoa! Ever nice!' … It was a very nice surprise. I didn't expect something like this.”
Vitali, who appeared in a musical with the theatre company as a teen, said she thinks Sudbury Theatre Centre is “a very important cultural part of our city.”
She said she loves the fact that over the last couple of years, STC has been diversifying its offerings, including dance shows.
“It allows other people who may not just be pure theatre people to enter the four doors and come in and enjoy this environment, and maybe drift over to the dark side and enjoy theatre,” Vitali said.
Sudbury Theatre Centre artistic executive director Caleb Marshall said STC Honours celebrates those who are “making a lasting impact and really leaving a legacy for the performing arts” in this community.
“Denise's work with the Sudbury School of Dance and with earthdancers has no doubt left that kind of impact,” Marshall said, adding she's probably trained thousands of young dancers.
This is the third year the theatre centre has presented STC Honours.
In 2015, the award went to Mark Palumbo for his work with Music and Film in Motion, and last year, it went to Helen Ghent for her efforts in creating Sudbury Theatre Centre and making sure it had its own building.
Vitali will be honoured at a special ceremony at Sudbury Theatre Centre starting at 7 p.m. June 8. The event will also raise funds for the theatre. Tickets cost $50 each. Visit sudburytheatre.ca to purchase tickets.
