Lucy Hazelwood is the young founder of LUKI Dance Productions. Originally from England, Lucy is now happy to call Kelowna her home as she makes great strides to further the arts and dance scenes in Kelowna. Lucy took some time to answer our questions and tell you a bit more about LUKI Dance Productions.
How can people connect with you on Linkedin?
What do you always find yourself saying?
Why not?
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Murray Grant - a fellow Bird College graduate [he was 2 years ahead] he is the founder of the
MGA Academy in Scotland. I hear about his day-to-day life and I would love to experience that with him, whilst picking his brains of course!
If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
Arts or Citizenship award; making dance accessible to all is my goal and passion. To be able to bring that to a community would make my soul happy.
If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose?
Amelia Earhart - the stories she would have to tell!! Her own story itself is phenomenal and goes to show that anything is possible if you work with kindness and respect, passion and drive. A true visionary she is the epitome of courage and determination
Who inspires you?
My mom. Unfortunately, she died of leukaemia just after my 21st birthday, however, even now I am still hearing from people whose lives she touched. She was selfless, kind, caring and always had time for everyone. I'd like to carry on her legacy.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
To travel the world - I need to see everywhere and experience all of it.
To run a marathon.
To be fluent in Italian - I love the language!
If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
I owned a mini van called Herman and my current car is named Conan, so I feel that I would have to continue the theme with something cheeky like "Isle of Lucy" or "Flow Ryder".
If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
I wouldn't, I like the idea that everything is up for grabs and don't want to have any expectations in case I become complacent.
What are you passionate about?
LIFE. Encouraging people to step outside of their comfort zone and try something new. I love it when people say they can't - challenge accepted! Honestly, the word "can't" is banned around me; it's not that you can't it's that you're not able to right now, but you'll try your hardest until you can. I'll be right there with you if you need it.
What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
I don't know where to begin to answer this question - I can't pick just one day.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Starting my company, I came to Canada with $500 and a suitcase, I only knew 1 person and they weren't connected to the performance world of Kelowna. To get to a point where I finally feel like I am part of the community and to have created my own dance family here is the best feeling ever. I adopt 'family' all the time, they make the mistake of feeding me and then I keep coming back!
Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna?
Raudz
What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna?
Rec sport leagues - I love getting to mingle with new people and try new sports [growing up in England that means there are lots].
What is the name of your business/organization?
What does your business/organization do?
We specialize in entertainment for corporate events, wedding dance choreography, a pre-professional dance development program for ages 17+ and adult dance classes. Anything performance based we’ve got you covered.
What is your Twitter account?
What is your mission?
To create an established pre-professional dance-training program in the Okanagan, which will feed into a professional working company. You shouldn’t have to choose a career in dance OR the Okanagan, why can’t we have both?
If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
To set the standard for dance training - whether you are dancing 'just because' or as a career choice, you shouldn't be short changed on your training.
Where do you want your business/organization to be in 5 years?
A fully established working company, with a pre-professional training program. An integrated dance company specifically for adults with special needs/disabilities to be able to express themselves. A space like
Pineapple Dance Studios London.
Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Murray Grant
What 3 qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Community, Opportunity, and Respect - we dance together without ego. Our aim is to encourage others and work together as a team. As a company we are diverse from Ballerinas to B-boys and everything in between, but I like to think we are setting the example to other artists that it doesn't matter if you're classically trained or self taught - we're all here for the same reason, to dance and express ourselves.
What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
Thank you for making my dreams a reality and supporting me as well the community. Without you I am just one person, but together we can make a difference.
How does your business/organization impact the community?
We help bring people together through the medium of dance, support local business and raise awareness of different causes.
If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
I'd want them to be experts in investing and growing small companies, specifically dance companies. I would ask them how they got ahead, how they stay ahead, where they took risks and whom they turned to for advice. I'd like to know what drives them and why they chose to do what they do. I'd then "wow" them with my personality and dance flare - they'd be so impressed they would want to invest in LUKI ;)
If I could change 1 thing about Kelowna, it would be
That more people dress up to go to the theatre etc. It's an English thing but Kelowna is particularly casual and I miss having opportunities to dress to the nines and have an evening out.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The landscape - my family and friends ask me if I will ever move back to England and I always respond by asking when they are moving out here. I don't know of many other places where you can play on the lake in 30 degree heat in the summer and ski champagne powder in the winter.
My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Christina Jenion - Classic Creations Floral Design
Some general comments I would like to share are
I know I'm not from Kelowna originally, but I was lucky enough to have been introduced to this amazing place and am now able to call it home. I have so many dreams and ideas it's hard knowing where to begin. I work 2 full time jobs [my other being at International Gems on Bernard] but I wouldn’t change anything. I believe in taking things slowly and building on a strong foundation - quality rather than quantity. I am blown away by how far we have come in such a small amount of time and I am excited to see where we can take this. One step at a time!
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at WelcometoKelowna.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do. We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!
