Teen dancer to get a lift at May 25 benefit concert

Tom Zillich

The local song-and-dance community is rallying around a fellow performer and his quest to reach the bright lights of New York City.

Award-winning young dancer Bynh Ho has been selected from hundreds of teens to attend a dance contest this summer at the globally acclaimed New York City Dance Alliance. The trouble is, the Surrey teen's family doesn't have the kind of cash to send him there. "He's such a great performer, and he really deserves to be there, because it could be a life-changing event for him," said Carolyn Orazietti of Bynh, a vocal student of hers. "He brings down the house every time he dances."

A benefit concert for Bynh, who turns 16 at month's end, is in the works for Friday, May 25.

Since he was a kid, Orazietti says, Bynh has focused on his goal of becoming a professional singer, actor and dancer - a "triple threat" on stage. The trip to New York will help him reach that goal, says the Fraser Heights-based music instructor. Each day, Bynh travels from Surrey to Burnaby Central secondary for studies, then commutes again to classes at the semi-pro Danzmode company under the guidance of teacher-choreographer Rachael Poirier.

"He dances 10 hours a day, at least," says Orazietti, "and despite all that, he still manages an 'A' average in school. I don't know how he does it."

To date, fundraising efforts have netted $1,200 - enough to cover Bynh's contest fees in New York - but another $3,000 is needed for his flight and accommodation expenses. To that end, Orazietti and others are staging a "Give a Dancer a Lift!" benefit event May 25 at the Fraser Heights secondary theatre.

Orazietti says several high-level performers ranging in age from 14 to 34 will be on stage for the event, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Also, a portrait of Bynh (Dance Prodigy) by Courtenay-based artist Patrizia DiDiomete will be auctioned off to raise cash for his journey to the Big Apple.

"These are all top-level performers, fellow students and others," says Orazietti. "People have really come together to help him out."

Tickets for the May 25 benefit event are $10.

For more details, call Orazietti at 604-930-0408.

published on 05/18/2007