The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Aaron Stringer is Flin Flon's version of Billy Elliot. Billy Elliot is a movie about a boy who becomes a talented dancer and had to hide his love for dance from his father, who was strongly against it. The only difference with Aaron is that he doesn't have to hide it. Dennis Stringer wasn't exactly jumping with joy about his son dancing, as he thinks it's a little bit different, but he has warmed up to it. "He's just sailing right along," Dennis said. "It's enjoyable to watch. It's really good." "It was quite a shock to us," added Aaron's mother, Sharon. While Aaron's parents became supportive, he was mistreated by some students in Grade eight. "I lost a lot of friends over it," Aaron said. "It slowed down a lot in Grade nine." It happened to also coincide when he became more known and was good. After a while, the bugging stopped bugging him. While he lost friends in Flin Flon, he gained them in the dance community Ð female ones, too. "It's huge," Aaron said, of the importance dance to his life. In his short career, Aaron's made great leaps, winning four scholarships to go along with his collection of awards. His inspiration to dance comes from wanting to improve. "I like the challenge, the hard work and I don't know what I'd rather do with my time," Aaron said. Aaron's favourite part of dance is learning new steps and working towards recitals, though he enjoys performances and competitions. When he does perform, he feeds off the crowd. If they've seen him before, he feels the pressure to step up. That likely brings out his competitive side, which Aaron's mom said comes from her. "I've always been into sports," she said, as she feels pride in what her son has accomplished. "His instructor says he's very much a perfectionist," Sharon added. "He's his own worst critic." Kelly Waterman of Kelly Waterman's School of Dance said Aaron has lots of potential. "I saw it in him right off the bat in Flin Flon," Waterman said confidently. "The interest was there." Waterman has seen a big difference in Aaron now since he started. "There's no question," Waterman said, of Aaron having the ability to become a professional dancer, "but he has to do the work. It's up to him now." "I'd like to stage perform," he said, as he also desires to be a dance teacher/choreographer. Aaron's ultimate goal is to have his own studio, though he has had thoughts of traveling with a company. He's getting a head start, as he student teaches on weekends. "As long as he's doing what he loves, if he can make a career from it, all power to him," Sharon said. The 15-year-old's story began three years ago when Hapnot Collegiate Institute teacher Karen Clark contacted Waterman. Aaron has a background in gymnastics and taekwondo, though Waterman admits she doesn't know if that's really helped him. Aaron began attending Waterman's weekend classes in Flin Flon, but now lives in Thompson, attending the her school full-time for Grade 10. He can do anything from jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop and musical theatre. This summer he will go to summer school from July 2-28 at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. He will be participating in the professional division, which is the final screening process for full-time students. Aaron will stay in Winnipeg and finish his Grade 12 while living in residence.
