The Deanne Shorten Dance Scholarship Fund

Deanne Shorten was a Londoner who devoted her life to the art of the dance. She studied with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in the Professional Dance Program, and was an associate member of The Royal Academy of Dancing. She operated the Deanne Shorten School of Dance in London and through that medium taught many young enthusiasts who have since gone on to higher and greater achievements.

In 1989, during the time that Deanne was volunteering her services as the choreographer of London Musical Theatre's production of 42nd Street, she lost her life as a result of an acute illness. Her memory remains alive to many through her namesake scholarship.

The Deanne Shorten Scholarship Fund was created in her memory by London Musical Theatre in 1990 to inspire and foster the same love of dance that Deanne displayed throughout her career, and in fact her life.

The fund provides an annual scholarship of a maximum $1,000 to enable a dance student to further his or her training by attending a summer school or professional dance program which otherwise he or she may not be able to attend.

Applicants must be at least twelve years of age and be enrolled in classes at a London dance Studio. The annual deadline for receipt of applications is March 15, and the forms are available at any London dance studio. The name of the winner is announced in late March or early April and the scholarship is usually presented at the annual recital held at the dance studio at which he/she is enrolled.

2008 DEANNE SHORTEN DANCE SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

JESSICA VEITCH a student at the Dance Steps Studio (operated by Donna Bayley). Jessica will use her scholarship to help fund her attendance at the Boston Ballet's Summer Program.

The following are the previous winners of the annual scholarship:
2007 - Dakota Smith
2006 - Hayley Wilton
2005 - Paul Marynowski
2004 - Shannon Ellis
2003 - Siobhan Latimer
2002 - Lindsay McGhie
2001 - Kendra Derry
2000 - Ellen Gordon
1999 - Kathryn Gibbens
1998 - Michelle Lynn Pavao
1997 - Tera Thornton and Barbara Adams
1996 - Jade King
1995 - Teresa Morris
1994 - Rick Brown
1993 - Lyndsay McKay
1992 - Michele Stinson
1991 - Heather Attard

Donations (tax deductible) may be made to the Scholarship Fund by forwarding a cheque, made payable to 'Musical Theatre Productions', to:

The Deanne Shorten Scholarship Fund
c/o Musical Theatre Productions
5-1195 Dundas Street East
London, Ontario N5W 3A9

The Deanne Shorten Scholarship Committee

• Gail Schnarr, Chair
  
• Carol Smith
  
• President of MTP (or his representative)