ARTIST PROFILE
Miss Trixie Hardy
The name Trixie Hardy is synonymous with the word "dance" in Sault Ste. Marie. Why? Because Miss Hardy has been a significant part of this community since 1948 when she arrived with her new husband, Patrick Connolly.
Miss Hardy has been a professional dancer since the age of twelve, when she first joined her parents on stage in England. She set up a dance studio in her new found home in Sault Ste. Marie, and for the past 55 years has taught literally thousands of young people. Many of them have become award-winning performers. Trixie worked diligently to bring the British Association of Dance Teachers (BADT) to Canada. She became one of only five British Association of Dance examiners in this country, eventually writing the syllabus for grade work.
A tireless community worker, Miss Hardy has been active with various boards and organizations, including the Kiwanis Music Festival, the Musical Comedy Guild, and the Kiwanis Community Theatre Centre. "The words 'I'm sick', or 'I can't' simply aren't in her vocabulary", says her daughter, Shelagh.
Founder of the Northern Lights Dance Festival, Trixie Hardy has worked tirelessly over the years organizing this fund raising event. The festival now sees some 500 entries from across the province participate in the festival, while raising thousands of dollars in the process.
Miss Hardy's efforts have not gone unnoticed. She was the first recipient of the Community Recognition Award, and has received the Sault Ste. Marie Medal of Merit.
Her family says she will stay involved with the Northern Lights Dance Festival after her retirement, but she "...already has her season planned." Apparently Miss Hardy is going to trade competitions and teaching for vacations and to hockey trips with her children and grandchildren.
From all of the people whose lives Miss Hardy has touched...
Enjoy your retirement, and "Keep on Dancing" !!
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