Arts Champion Award 2020

Prologue is pleased to announce the 2020 Award recipient: Florence Chan, a teacher and founder of the Drama and Dance Program at Timberbank Jr. Public School, in Toronto. Florence has shared her passion for dance pedagogy through workshops with the TDSB and private fine arts institutions. She facilitated her students participation in an international arts conference through her work with the Westview Project. Florence’s passion for including diverse cultural aspects of the arts promote balance and inclusion in her teaching.  This not only enriches her career within education and performance, but cultivates a sense of harmony and vitality in her active life. 

Receiving the Arts Champion Award is like a “dream come true”! Words cannot express how grateful I am to all of the individuals who have taught and inspired me, especially my parents. This award affirms my years of effort in the fields of art and education. I will continue to work very hard to carry on my mission as an arts educator and arts advocate – to spread the love of the arts locally and globally. I pray for world peace through the power of the arts; and I also pray for mental and physical health for all through universal access to the arts!

Florence Chan

About Florence Chan B.F.A., B.Ed., OCT, RAD dip 

Florence is an Ontario Certified Teacher who has served in the performing arts field for 30 years as a performer and as an educator. She founded the Drama and Dance program at Timberbank Jr. Public School, and continues to enjoy teaching the program to date. Prior to obtaining her Specialized Fine Arts Degree in Dance and Education Degree from York University, Florence received her Teaching Diploma from the Royal Academy of Dance. She is a certified teacher for the Chinese Dancers Association of PRC (People’s Republic of China). Florence received several awards for her dancing, teaching, and volunteering. She contributed to the Westview Project, by using Ballet as a vehicle to connect her students with York University, and facilitating their participation in an International Arts Conference. These precious opportunities have positively impacted the lives of many young underprivileged individuals. Florence’s eclectic talents in dance, acting, and music have earned her many opportunities in the field of performing arts. These opportunities included TV hosting, news reporting, acting/voice-over for TV commercials, theatre directing, and choreography. She was invited to share her passion for dance pedagogy as a workshop presenter for educators in various organizations, including the Toronto District School Board and several private fine arts institutions in the GTA and abroad. Florence is a lifelong learner with multifaceted skills and interests in music and physical wellness. She is passionate about including diverse cultural aspects of the arts in order to promote balance and inclusion in teaching. This not only enriches her career within education and performance, but cultivates a sense of harmony and vitality in her active life.