edmonton musical theatre

Dasha was the founder and main thrust behind Edmonton Musical Theatre. She began her musical career at the age of fourteen as a vocalist. She started Orion Theatre in 1952 with a young pianist, Tommy Banks and discovered a deep commitment to the musical trainning of young people. Dasha worked from 1960 to 1972 in various media positions, including producer and program director with CHED, CHQT and CBC radio. She was on contract to Grant MacEwan Community College as a Vocal Instructor in 1972, and in 1974 was the first woman to be appointed to the Edmonton Northlands Board. In 1977, her desire to work with young talent resulted in the founding of Edmonton Musical Theatre and, as Artistic Director and Master Vocal Instructor, she has been working her particular brand of magic with them for the past 24 years. Dasha has been the recipient of numerous awards for her dedication to Musical Theatre instruction inlcuding 1979 - Alberta Achievement Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre; 1991 - City of Edmonton Achievement Award - Culture; 1994 - Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters - University of Alberta; 1995 - Induction into the City of Edmonton Cultural Hall of Fame.

NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT

Welcome to Edmonton Musical Theatre's 25th Anniversary Celebration "On The Wings Of A Dream" - A Tribute to Dr. Dasha Goody.

Tonight, we celebrate! We celebrate the life and work of Dr. Dasha Goody, our founder, mentor, and friend. We celebrate Edmonton Musical Theatre - 25 years of music and motion, memories and magic. The twenty-fifth year of a vision of bringing out the best our students have to offer, and launching dreams.

We also celebrate the dreams, desire, commitment and hard work of all those who have been a part of Edmonton Musical Theatre over the years. We applaud the students who have had the courage to expose their dreams to the harsh glare of the spotlight. We thank the instructors who have nurtured those dreams and helped them grow. We appreciate those who have served on the Board of Directors who have kept the Dream-Machine oiled and running. We salute the friends and families who have come to performances, as a show of support, and have shared the vision and supported our dreams. And, we honour the lady who brought us all together.

To quote Dasha "Those who can, do. Those who CAN, teach." You will notice that we have included more than the usual number of "mug shots" in this year's program. We wanted to give faces to EMT's "doers", without whom the show, and more importantly the training, can't go on. Many have been with us for years, some are with us for the first time. For 10 months every year, we become a family, working together and building memories that last a lifetime.

Like a family we stay together, caring, sharing and nurturing, for a time. Each spring, some of the flock are ready. Having tested their wings and found them strong, they leave our nest and take flight, taking with them the lessons they've learned in facing challenges and winning. And every fall we welcome new fledglings, eager and apprehensive, but each with a dream.

Tonight is a milestone. A chance to relfect on our past glories, a succesful foundation on which to build future dreams. EMT is dreming! What a future we have!

-Susan Rasko, President

"On The Wings of a Dream" cast on stage