Jasmin Reville: Live to Dance

Several years ago I chaired the Kent Farndale Bursary for the Arts in Port Perry, and I had an opportunity to see many talented artists compete and receive the prominent award. One of those recipients was Jasmin Reville, a dancer of exquisite form.

Jasmin, one of three children born to Wendy and Brock Reville, is native to Port Perry, and attended S.A. Cawker until grade eight. Ballet was a big part of Jasmin’s life, and instead of attending Port Perry High School; she opted for the prestigious, Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto.

“Living in residence was difficult,” Jasmin explained. “I missed my parents and family, and the curriculum was grueling.” The academic portion of her education went from eight until noon every day and, after half an hour of lunch, she would rehearse until seven in the evening.

Her last few years of high school were spent at the Quinte Ballet School in Belleville, where her schedule was equally demanding, if not more so. Summer holidays meant more opportunities to dance, and Jasmin attended the Pacific Northwest Ballet School in Seattle, the Austin, Texas Ballet School, Chicago’s Ballet Joffrey and the School of Alberta Ballet in Calgary.

Realizing the importance of dance in her life, Jasmin decided her future would consist of promoting the art in one form of another. She enrolled in York University’s Human Resources program, with a long term goal of helping dancers achieve their goals, void of the element of the nastier side of the business.

Upon graduation Jasmin landed a job in HR, although it is now referred to as People and Culture, and enjoys it very much. Her schedule is just as hectic as it was while growing up. She travels daily to Mississauga and returns to Port Perry to teach ballet several nights a week, at the well-known, Dedicated to Dance studio.

“I love sharing my craft with young people, who are eager to learn and excel in dance,” Jasmin explained. “To me it is extremely gratifying.”