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Congratulations to Bella Han, a dance and music student at Place des Arts, who won third prize in our My Place des Arts Story Contest!

Bella and her family are fixtures at Place des Arts, and her sweet story about how Place des Arts feels like home to her made us realize just how much the centre truly is her “second home!”

View the visual vignette about Bella, created by Eran Jayne Photography, and read her story below. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Place des Arts feels like home to me because of the welcoming environment that I have been encountering since my first step into the building. My family and I are at Place des Arts 4-5 days a week;  we practically live there!

My sister first started taking lessons at Place des Arts, and then I joined. My first class was with Mr. I, which planted the first seeds that quickly blossomed into my love for music and then dance.

I’ve created a circle of friends from my ballet lessons with Ms. Lucienne. We like to eat, study and have fun in the pantry on Fridays between our competition lessons.

The recitals with [piano teacher] Marjory Purdy create ways for me to showcase what I’ve learned and give me a chance to catch up and interact with the other students.

I have an affectionate relationship with Place des Arts; the school provides me with so much love, education and trust. I’m always greeted with a hello from the reception (Hi Betty and Ale!), consistent acknowledgments from Joan and lovely conversations with my current teachers and old ones.

[Place des Arts is] a tight-knit community where I feel happy, safe and cherished, even when my parents only drop me off (although most of the time they’re sitting in Place des Arts where they are comfortably doing their work). It’s truly a welcoming and loving community, and I enjoy coming in every day.

My most memorable experience at Place des Arts is of playing duets with my sister in recitals. The Leonore Peyton Salon is home to our nervous energy, humbling experiences and enjoyable playing.

My sister and I always enjoyed playing duets in the recital; there’s a sweet satisfaction of accomplishing a piece together. We always chose to play together again the year after, usually forgetting all the disagreements, challenges and hassle.

Duet playing at Place des Arts is like we’re playing at home in front of our family, but more people get to enjoy it. It’s an incredible feeling!

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