Sudlebs
www.20somethingsudbury.ca
sudleb
Ali Loney
photo: Tennille Heinonen of Flofoto. www.forloveofoto.com
20SS: What influenced you to open your own studio?
AL: I come from a very entrepreneurial family, so I have always
known I was going to be my own boss one day. Working for
someone else was never an option in my head. I simply took my
passion and made it into my career. I’m definitely grateful that this
opportunity came to me six years ago. I know that some people
switch jobs three to seven times before they’re able figure out what
they really enjoy doing. I’m lucky to have found what I’m happy
doing on my first try. I’ll never take that for granted.
20SS: What is your dance/educational background?
AL: Feels like I’ve been dancing my whole life. I started dancing at
the age of 6 at the Ida Sauve Dance Studios. I trained with Ida until
I graduated high school and I was lucky enough to be chosen as
one of her teachers in training. The teachers’ training was a two year
process. I had more notes in dancing than I did homework in high
school. I told Ida that one day I wanted to take over her studio but I
needed to go to school first and get an education. I went to Wilfred
Laurier University and Conestoga College and when I graduated
from Communications and Business Management I felt I was ready.
It has now been six years since I bought Miss Ida’s studio and I
haven’t looked back once.
20SS: As a studio owner, what has been your greatest
accomplishment?
AL: My greatest accomplishment as a studio owner was being able
to watch some of the most shy and timid young dancers turn into
beautiful confident young ladies or men. It’s crazy to think about
it, but I have been teaching dance for over 13 years now, so some
of my beginner dancers are now graduating from high school! In
many sports your coaches always change, I get to watch all my
dancers grow from toddlers to teenagers.
20SS: Who are your favourites in the
dance world? )0