Métis salsa dancer turned passion into a career
- EFN Staff | April 24, 2017
What happens when you combine passion, hard work, determination and a dash of fearlessness? If you’re Kimberly Parent, you get to live your dream! “I never really made a conscious decision to turn this into a career, it found me. I was doing it because I need to dance.”
Kim was raised in Prince Albert Saskatchewan, taking all the steps many young people take. Graduate, get a post-secondary education and build a career. Except, that’s not always the way things work. “There I was, with a degree in English and Native Studies, and no job.” Kim picked up a job at an industrial laundry plant, and while there happened to see a flyer for salsa lessons posted on the wall.
“I decided to give it a try, and when I heard the Cuban music, I instantly fell in love. I became crazy about salsa dancing.” Kim met a salsa teacher who became her mentor and taught her how to lead, follow and shared everything she knew about teaching dance. “Then she left. I had zero experience running a dance studio, but I created the PA Salsa Club and named myself President, which looking back is hilarious as I was the only member.”
Taking her love of dance with her, Kim spent time teaching English in Taiwan. Living in another country didn’t stop her from seeking out the local salsa scene. Most places have some kind of community of salsa enthusiasts. When she wasn’t satisfied with what she found, she began teaching out of her apartment. “I needed to show people how much joy you can get from dancing. I remember thinking, let me teach you so we can dance together.” She was able to travel and experience different salsa environments, visiting places like Australia.
When she returned home, she searched for the salsa scene in Saskatoon. “I was shocked that there was absolutely nothing going on.” True to form, in 2005 Kim set out to build her own. “You need a community people to dance. I figured, I’ll just start teaching out of my sister’s garage. We set up mirrors, took out some ads, randomly decided to charge $4 bucks per class, and sure enough, people showed up.”
It didn’t take long, and the need for more space became clear. Kim took out a business licence and began renting space, which she again, quickly outgrew.
Throughout it all, Kim worked full time and became a mother to a beautiful daughter. “My dance company was really a living thing, and I had to keep adjusting to meet its growth needs. That meant taking risks. I felt that staying where I was, out of fear, could mean taking steps backwards.”
So, Kim decided to apply to Clarence Campeau Development Fund’s (CCDF) Métis Women’s Program. “With that first loan I was able to acquire a tiny studio space all of my own in downtown Saskatoon. CCDF changed my life.” In just 2 short years, Kim once again outgrew her space and then worked with CCDF and Sask Métis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO) to purchase her current two studios.
Two years ago Kim took the leap and went all in, running her dance company full time. “I decided, if it fails, at least I tried. I’ll always have dance.” She made the decision because she wanted to change her work/life balance. “I wanted to be there for my daughter, and build my life around my family, rather than around a job.” Now Kim is able to “live my daily life within the values that I believe in, and I have the freedom to do what I do with my own integrity.”
Eleven years in, Kim has grown Saskatoon Salsa into a thriving business that promotes the love of dance to people of all levels of experience. “I feel like, if you love to dance, you should dance.”
Kim hopes to inspire others to live their dreams. “I try to do as much as I can to give back to the Métis and the dance community.” She offers grant dance programs for kids, donates to different causes and has participated in Swinging with the Stars for the past five years. “This is a great charity event that helps to raise money in Saskatoon.” When asked about her most recent experience dancing with Eagle Feather’s own John Lagimodiere, she grins and says, “We spent long hours working towards a goal. John’s commitment was inspiring, and he didn’t seem to mind when I would push hard to make him get things right. We had a blast.”