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Testimonials
"The LA Experience" (pdf) - read what Cassandra Tarrataca says about her unforgettable experience with Summer in LA.
Hey,
Thank you once again for everything. Means a lot to me for all this sucess that is happening in my life....it's something that I always dreamt about.
Mercedes Guzikowki from London, Ontario after booking her 1st film.
Attended Summer in L.A. two times.
Hey Diana,
Much love. I miss you! I hope all is well. I'm doing quite well myself. I'll be moving out to California on an I 20/F 1 visa for August 26 th , 2007. I'm most appreciative to you, ultimately. You were the one that took my hand and guided me into a new world filled with dreamers. I become to realize the amount of people that just have the heart and passion like I do, but it's about how badly and determined you are for what you want. I want it so bad Diana. My heart beats so loud and fast finally knowing "nothing is impossible". I once again want to thank you for helping me grow at a young age to "be discovered" in a world of possibilities. Keep in touch forever.
Love, Mercedes
DIANA,
Be Discovered is a first-class advantage for up-and-coming dancers!
Your group did amazingly well. All of the leaders were very impressed by them. From start to finish, they represented themselves, you, and Toronto very well.
Best regards,
Grover Dale
Tony Award winner, choreographer and Answers4dancers owner
Diana,
Don't stop doing what you're doing with bediscovered. I'm sure it's a lot of work but from what I saw it's worth it. Believe me, I wish there were programs like yours when I was a kid growing up in Canada. Just awesome.
I do understand the intimidation many of the kids felt, it happens to all of us, hopefully it doesn't last! There were a number of dancers that got into the vibe as the night went on and took the opportunity to ask or try out new steps, or venture into freestyle. That was really great. Keep Groovin'!
Bradley "Shooz" Rapier
Founder/director of THE GROOVALOOS
Dear Diana,
Thank you for letting me be a part of this great experience. It was an awesome thing to be a part of and I would definitely think of doing it again. I was the youngest dancer in the program this year, and I learned so much, and will carry those lessons through my whole dance career. I loved our class with Shane Sparks, and I loved our krumping class! The photo shoot was awesome, and I loved meeting Carmit from The Pussycat Dolls. Thank you again for making this happen.
Tina Trowbridge
Hi Diana!
First of all, I would just like to say thank you for this amazing experience and opportunity. Everything that I have learned from this program will stay with me forever. I know what I need to work on as a young dancer and I am going to start to work on those things right away. Overall, I loved the program. My favourite class was Shane Sparks’ class and the second krumping class with Duce. I also enjoyed the photo shoot. Lee Cherry is an amazing photographer and I am extremely pleased with my pictures. I would also like to thank Dayo, Alex and Claudia as they were also a big part of this program as well. Thank you again Diana for everything and I hope to see you again soon.
Jamie Trowbridge
:D
Tina and Jamie Trowbridge from Ontario.
Jamie won a scholarship towards S.I.L.A.
His sister and mom joined us in L.A.
Hi Diana,
I just want to say that I had a real good time in L.A I learn so much about the industry and about me. I feel like I ‘ve been there for one year cause I learned so much. So thank you to gave me the chance to be part of this big experience... But serioulsy, I really want to let you know that you are one of the most professional person that I've seen in the business. You are an inspiration for me as a business woman.
The day after I arrived from L.A i began to dance everyday.... and now with my dance and teacher life....I'm training 6 days on 7 .
It's sure that now my first preoccupation is my studio. But I know what I want in life and when I want something I want it so bad. ! I know what it is to work hard...as I work sooooooo hard to open my studio even if I had to face some problems and complications.
To conclude I want to say thank you again for everthing and of course for your assestment and I hope that I can work or travel with Be discovered in a near future...
Marie-Odile Haince-LeBel, Quebec dancer who owns her own dance studio District MAO
Hi Diana,
I would just like to thank you for getting me involved with this Hilary Duff movie. I had an ABSOLUTE BLAST! It was *SO* much fun! And I was *Very* Excited to be able to see Hilary. Again thank you so much, I really enjoyed my time there. :)
Aimee Mercer from Campbellville Ontario after booking 2 films where she worked with Mel Gibson and on The Perfect man starring Hilary Duff.
Attended Summer in L.A. two times.
Hey Be Discovered
My mom and I thank you for the opportunities that you have given me. Because of Be Discovered, I was able to work on The Perfect Man film, my first movie with Hilary Duff. I couldn’t believe it. I am so shy, I wouldn’t have imagined that I would have gone to L.A. at just 14.
In L.A., I got to work with some of my idols including Shane Sparks, choreographer of You Got Served, I loved that class. I got to attend Carnival, even though I am only 14 as well as I got to attend the Christina Aguilera auditions. Dayo who I grew up watching on Degrassi was so nice to us and we learned a lot about the industry from him and Diana.
I had never been away from home and I had so much fun and had nothing to worry about during the trip. My mom is so protective of me that I was really surprised that she let me go on Summer in L.A. but I am glad that she did as I met so many new friends.
I am really blessed cause my mom let me go again to L.A. just a month after my 1st Summer in L.A. I took more classes but my most favorite experience this time was being able to meet Mya, oh my God. I was so nervous right before we went in to the studio. She was so nice and down to earth. We watched her concert rehearsal, just the Be Discovered dancers, her dancers and her choreographer Shotyme. I couldn’t believe it. She shook my hand and gave me a candy. It was so funny, we all kept the candy or the wrappers as souveniers. Lol. I love the photos that I have of her with me. This was an unforgettable experience and I am so thankful for your making this happen for me.
Jestiena Salmon from Scarborough Ontario after booking her 1st film.
Attended Summer in L.A. two times
Hey
It’s Jestiena. I can’t believe that my mom was able to convince my dad to allow me to go to Summer in L.A. again for a 3rd time. This time, the program was even better than last year. We got to dance in private classes with my favorite choreographer Shane Sparks who talked to us about So You Think You Can Dance. I also got to work with Mihran who has choreographed for Black Eyed Peas and he has worked with Madonna. It was cool to work with him cause his choreography is different than Shane’s. I learned a lot at the Career Power Workshop and that too helped me with my confidence as I am a bit shy but Summer in L.A. is helping me get out of that. All the dancers are so nice and it was nice meeting Diana’s sister Claudia and having her help with chaperoning the group. Alex is always really nice every year and they all make a great team. I am learning a lot about myself and at 15, the program is helping me focus more on what I want for my future. Thanks again Diana for all you do for dancers.
Jestiena Salmon from Scarborough Ontario
Has attended Summer in L.A. three times.
thank you for the opportunity and a way to connect with all your
students. I look forward to our relationship blossoming and working
together in the future. This was the best experience I have had in my
professional dance career, you gave me a avenue to exercise my talent in
a way that it can be appreciated. Thank U so much
Deuce, the Prince of Krump credits include
Rize, So You Think You Can Dance, Chris Brown and Sean Paul
Thanks Diana! I hope you are enjoying the rest of your time in LA.
I had a great time on the program, I´m still trying to digest all the cool things we did!
What you do is so amazing!
Estoy en Colombia ahora... I´m trying to practice my Spanish! What a lovely language!!
Espero que todo vaya bien! Muchas gracias por todo!!
Un abrazo, Carol
Carol Scrivener from Def Sol in Saskatchewan
After Summer in L.A traveled to Colombia as a volunteer
Hi Diana
Desiree had the time of her life in LA, thanks for everything I know
putting something like that together is a lot of work, Des is very
grateful for the incredible week she had in LA.
You should be very proud.
I just about fell over when I saw Desiree's pictures, everyones turned out incredible.
Desiree is very excited about seen Justin Timberlake. Thank you for the ticket.
Thanks for everything
Kimberly
Kimberly, Desiree Williams mom from Vancouver, BC
Desiree was selected for the Bonus Summer in L.A. prize,
stage seats to See Justin Timberlake’s Toronto concert.
Hi Diana,
I would also like to thank you, Claudia and Alex for the entire experience in L.A. – Cara keeps repeating that the whole experience was awesome! Anyway, thanks again for your diligence and of course, hard work…. Thanks again!
Luisa, Cara Carosielli’s mom from the Sheila Parkins School of Dance QC
The food was good, the dance classes were very cool.
I made a lot of new friends. the outing were very intresting. I enjoyend having my picture taken by a professional photographer. Learning new techniques and a new dances.
Jason Lister also from the
Sheila Parkins School of Dance in QC
Hi Diana,
This is Isabel, Jackie's mom. She absolutely LOVED SILA. She said it was the best time of her life, it really is a once in a lifetime experience for these girls and she had a great time. She really respects you and would love for you to keep in touch with her.
Isabel Faibish,
Jackie’s mom from Toronto
Hello Diana!
Sila was an amazing experience and i got alot out of it. I felt accomplished going there, like i was starting to achieve my goals in dance but when i got there i realized that theres so much more work to do.
Going to L.A. and seeing it all was the amazing thing, but being able to go with kids your age and people that enjoy the same thing as you is really inspiring. I think the program does offer alot and makes you feel more driven towards what you want. I know that going into the program i knew what i wanted to do and how i wanted to do it but i wanted to know if i was going to be able to handle it. Towards the end of the week i looked at this and realized that i can.
Im glad i got to find that out through your program Diana and i appreciate all that you did for us there. I also realized that i want to experience so much more in the industry and that i want it more then anything. I really do appreciate your opinions on my assessment and feel that it will give me more direction towards my goals. Can't wait for Broadway Bound! Thank You
Anna Bilotta from London, Ontario
Hello Diana
I just wanted to thank you again so much for the week In L.A. As I mentioned to you on the trip I had a fabulous time, and truly learned a lot about the industry and more importantly myself. Thanks to you, and the Be Discovered program I feel more ready than ever to start preparing my future career as a dancer!
In addition please know that I appreciate everything you did for myself, and fellow dancers more than you know. I truly do not know any other way to express it other than I am honored and blessed to have had the opportunity to take part in this experience and have your personal expertise. Thanks again for everything
Jessica Joseph from Calgary, Alberta
Hi Diana,
Thank you for al the input that you have given me in your, SILA review. I understand now that the competition in this industry is cut-throat and that you have given me a glimpse into what my future may be like.
I thank you for choosing to continue with helping me and my future, it shows that you see a marketable look and that you see that there is hope for me in the industry. I think that SILA was amazing and that the expereince that it was given is life-changing. It was also great how i had the opportunity to participate in things that would never happen in a lifetime that has taught me that i should grasp every minute of opportunity that i can and try my hardest to give myself a boost in the competition
Thank you for all the advice that you have given me. I will be sure to put them all into motion right away. Thank you for the life-altering experience.
Tuan Chau, Ontario Scholarship Recipient
Hi Diana,
I just would like to say THANK YOU for this wonderful opportunity and experience. Diana you do so much and it is very much appreciated. It is alot of work for you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I was so excited about this adventure and I would love to do it again in the future. Thank you to Claudia and Alex for being there and helping with everything. You all make a great team. Thank you Diana, You have a wonderful soul and don't ever change who you are. Be proud of all your accompishments and what you do for everyone. Thank you for everything.
The week of SILA was very positive for myself and it helped me to grow more independently, so once again thank you.
Cassandra Antonangeli, Ontario Scholarship Recipient
Heyy Diana,
How are you? I know I've said this many times before but I can't say it enough, thank you so much for everything you've done. Going into this trip, I expected to experience the reality of the industry, to meet new people who share the same passion as I do and in general just to have fun and feed off of the energy from the group and others around me. I can say with complete honesty that this trip provided all this and so much more.
I want you to know that the Summer in L.A. trip really did change my life and made me realize how much I love dancing. Dancing is a huge part of who I am and you've shown me that no matter what i do in life, i will be dancing. I had the most amazing time of my life and I appreciate all the time and effort you put into creating this program. All I can say is that it is definitely worth it and there is no other program like bediscovered's who will customize the trip to every individual on the tour.
I also want you to know that your thoughtfulness and caring personality did not go unnoticed. Thanks for giving me the chance to be considered for upcoming work on Carnival or Royal Carribean!! Hopefully I will be traveling with bediscovered again very soon!! Once again, I thank you, Alex and Claudia for everything you've done. broadway bound, my moms been constantly talking about it. she keeps telling me about it and how its in new york. so after saying this, you can tell tht my mom was really happy about our experience with the bediscovered tour to l.a.
I don't knwo if you've seen the episode of so you think you can dance tht we were at but amanda put in the tape as soon as we got home. we were filmed quite a lot since we were standing next to these 2 girls who knew all the cameramen there since their father is one himself. it was really fun!! we're lucky that we found out about this program through dan because i can truly say tht it was lifechanging. can't wait to hear from you, and thanks again...
Stephanie & Amanda Tam from the Sheila Parkins School of Dance in Quebe