FONDA BLOY - DIMEMOND OF THE WEEK - MAY 30th 2016

NAME: Fonda Bloy

BORN: Born in Burnaby, raised in Maple Ridge

AGE: 31

OCCUPATION: Dance Company Owner, Personal Assistant, Choreographer, Mommy!

Dimemond Mentality was first introduced to Fonda  through mutual connections; quality meeting quality meeting quality. As Team Dimemond has begun to work with Jaime Callica and collaborating on his feature with the platform, as our next Dimemond Hall Of Fame story, Dimemond got to meet and become more acquainted with Miss Fonda Bloy! Fonda Bloy is the secret ingredient to Jaime Callica's daily success, when on the go from various projects to fittings, shoots, his nights of hosting in the Vancouver nightlife and even being on sets for his parts in TV shows and films, as she is one of his greatest friends but also his personal assistant. There is no doubt in the universe, she is definitely Mr. Callica's right hand when in need, but also a great support system when being an avid individual at chasing goals, and reaching greater heights of success.

Having seen Fonda's role playing a heavy part in the daily movements with Jaime Callica, we knew that there was something needed, when we got to know Fonda more. After learning a little bit more of her story, her experiences in obstacles, triumphs and successes, we knew what she was, and that was a great candidate and individual to be put on to the Dimemond Roster, easily. It's moments like that these, that the idea of "everything happening for a reason" becomes tangible, and real. Without bringing Jaime onto this brand, we would have never met Fonda, and understood how great and a must-see individual she is, especially in the Dance community within Vancouver. She has so much substance to share as both a strong female identity and representation, but also a very important additive to the quiet wrath Vancity hides of quality individuals, literally doing quality things.

If there is one word to describe Fonda, its "movement".

Movement can be broken down into so many various parts into what makes Fonda function. She is a great physical prototype of what it means to be a Superwoman. She is a committed Dance Choreopgrapher and Teacher, a Mother of a beautiful little boy, Oliver, the Best Friend and Personal Assistant of Jaime Callica, and an Owner of a rapidly growing Dance Company,  The Next Evolution Dance Company. This is the definition of Fonda and the idea of movement. She has various gears and they just keep moving, and there is absolutely nothing more motivational and inspirational than that.

Fonda grew up as a dancer, and has never left the energy and passion for it. Her 15+ years of dancing includes being trained in Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet and Hip Hop. She also specializes in the Body Anatomy, and as well as exploring Flexibility. With that being said, her biggest aspiration at the moment is taking The Next Evolution Dance Company to the top, and expanding it to become THE Summer School for Dance, preparing young dancers for their upcoming seasons of competition(s). She wants to focus on continuing to coach and teach young dancers, but also wanting to infuse greater aspects of experiencing dance, such as bringing in Guest teachers to collaborate.

Fonda began teaching dance with students at the age of 15, and then pursued teaching dance at a full time position (7 days a week), at the age of 19! An aspect she admits  to learning and potentially what most teachers may forget, is that they are teaching "young humans". It's in this position within her life, she integrates the meaning of being a mother, and how well of an influence it has on both a personal and social level.  Fonda describes being a dance teacher requires you to be in a position of "being a mother like - best friend figure"; having the right confidence to communicate with her students is very important, especially when teaching young students are still growing into their mature self.

A unique fact about the students Fonda currently teaches within The Next Evolution Dance Company, is that she has been teaching some of the same young females for the last 6 years; mostly the years within their grade 8 to grade 12 high school career. With that being a great aspect to both the Dance company Fonda is working hard to continue to build, and a great aspect about Fonda as an individual who is incredibly selfless, it simply describes how much dedication she invests into making sure she is able to teach these young females more than dance, and more about life.

What does Dimemond Mentality mean to you? Do you think it'll be successful?

"Dimemond mentality is a wonderful platform run by wonderful people, I think in business your success depends on the quality of your work, and your belief in your work. I think you all encompass all of the above and more." 

What do you enjoy about Vancouver? 

"Vancouver is my home, Vancouver is where the air smells right, where the trees are the most plentiful, and where I can depend on a little rain. The thing I enjoy most about Vancouver is all the people I have had the ability to teach, even if just for a moment in their dance life's. I'll always be a part of that."

As a dancer being raised in Vancouver, and the Lower Mainland, do you think there is a significant 'dance community' here currently? Do you feel like it is celebrated as a movement, as other cities celebrate the dance culture, such as New York or LA for instance?

"I think the scene in Vancouver has grown a lot.... that being said we don't have the luxury to have as many opportunities as NY or LA. I do believe it is celebrated, and is continuing to grow, as we are still a young city."

Do you feel as an avid, dedicated dancer, having started at a very young age, and still having it be a relevant element of your life right now, how has teaching dance, changed the way you potentially look at dance now? How has being both a parent and now also a dance teacher, taught you different things about life?

"I've always wanted to be a dance teacher, my heart never led me any other way. From a young age all I wanted to do was listen to my teachers, take notes on what they said and remember everything. How they counted, how they hear music differently then me, and learn all the different ways they move their bodies." 

"Teaching dance now, all I can possibly hope for is that my students learn as much from me as I learnt from all of my amazing teachers. I try to give them all the opportunities to learn and grow and flourish. Being a parent now also brings a new depth to my teaching because I not only want to raise great dancers but great humans, who are kind, patient, understanding and loving to everyone. And I do have to say my group of kids right now are all of that and more. I couldn't be more proud of the ladies that they are." 

Do you have a significant moment in your of dance life, where you knew this was something you wanted to dedicate as much as your time as possible, and be the best at it? Have you had moments of doubt? If so, how did you over come these obstacles?

"Like I said before it was in my heart since I was young. But maybe my first memory was when I was young, and I always went with my mom to pick up my sister from dance, and I would sneak into the back of classes and just watch the older girls. Learn from them and the teachers. I would be so engrossed in the learning process that sometimes my mom would forget me at the studio (sorry mom)and I wouldn't even bat an eyelash I was more then thankful to stay up late and get to watch more.

Moments of doubt, yes. Always fleeting and short lived. It's usually over something that I may be trying to get across to my students that they aren't understanding quite yet, and then I think about new ways to teach them, or a different way they may learn, and the next time I see them it always comes together. We talk about a lot together. So when I am struggling with a concept or idea I bounce the ideas off them. It helps to have such smart students too!" 

If Janet Jackson or Beyonce called you personally call you to say, "I'd love for you to dance for me on tour for 8 months" would you? What would your actual response be?

"My actual response I have no idea. ..  probably shock. I think that would be an invaluable opportunity. I honestly don't know if my answer would be yes or no.... I would miss my students and my son far too much. But if it came down to it I know they would all want me to go."

Do you have any aspiring role models you look up to? Why?

"Role models, I think most of them are my teachers: Margaret Derksen, Shannon Stewardson, Rachel Porrier, and some of the best advice I receive to this day and growing up was from my second mom Deb Moseley. She has been one of the most supportive rock's in my life."

If you could potentially choose any career (if you were given the opportunity handed to you), what would it be (other than being a dancer of course)?

"Assistant for sure. I mean I get to do that now. So I guess I'm living my two dreams at the same time, which makes me endlessly happy everyday." 

As Dimemond Mentality continues to put in the time and grind, to consistently feature high quality individuals, it was a bit a of struggle to not continue the wondrous story of Fonda Bloy. It is definitely a fact that almost every city in the world, has some great, renowned individuals who tend to stand out from the norm that is born throughout the people who are settled within it, and Dimemond Mentality's focal point, is making noise for those stand out people. Fonda Bloy could not be a more greater candidate of what it means to be a fully grown Dimemond individual, who still aspires to reach greater goals. Her selflessness being a teacher, being passionate about something like dance, that she has literally breathed since being a toddler and also being enthusiastic to be the Jill of All Trades - The Master of All of Them, is truly inspiring.

We don't need more Fonda's in this world, because Fonda Bloy owns it, but who is to stop her from creating more young, dedicated, passionate and driven females?! We are waiting on that army!

FONDA'S ASPIRING AFFIRMATION:

"We consume ourselves daily with social media, and comparing yourselves to other people instead of valuing what other people have to offer, loving them not despite their unique qualities but because of them."

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