July 2000

Veronica Tennant on the Dance of Life (page 1)

When she first visited the RCMI 35 years ago, Veronica Tennant OC had to use the rear entrance off Simcoe Street, and the back stairs to get to the Dining Room. With this reminder of how things have evolved, Ms Tennant started her address, titled "Choice, Collaboration, and Change", to annual the Member and Daughter Night dinner. Canada's prima ballerina, director, producer, author, and Member of the Order of Canada told the sold-out audience that her first visit to the MI also coincided with an offer she could not refuse from The National Ballet Company of Canada. Ms. Tennant told the audience that she and husband, Dr John Wright, former Lieutenant in the Navy Reserve, had just celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary. They to used meet at the RCMI before they were married. On Choice, in her address Ms. Tennant gave the audience an insight into forces that propels someone into dance, and the motivation necessary to succeed in a very demanding environment were the performer is constantly being assessed. Tennant provided a classical example of the physical risks of dancing when she described how a lift by her partner in Romeo and Juliet resulted in a 12' fall from the stage into the orchestra pit. She also drew a comparison between the need for discipline, dedication, the constant need for rehearsals, and training, that found both in the military and in ballet.

In the area of Collaboration, Ms Tennant said, "Life is a Collaborative Art. You just can't do it on your own." While she was blessed with natural ability, it was others who taught her the how and why of dance. "It was at The National Ballet School that I was educated about communal effort, about sharing pride and group striving"' she added. In classical dance the performers are enjoined to think and care collectively, yet a soloist still needs to emerge and is celebrated, which presents a conundrum. Tennant addressed this issue when she said, "A riddle to solve then; how to muster self, how to reinforce collaboration, but - to fuel it with the force of independence."

In reference to the area of Change, and prior to and since leaving the stage Veronica Tennant has explored other forms of artistic endeavour to express herself. This has lead her to create an unprecedented list of achievements including teaching; guest ballerina performances; dance performances on film; guest speaking; radio and television broadcasts; theatre and concert performances and direction; television producer, director, and writer. Ms Veronica Tennant has received thirteen honours and awards, including the Order of Canada. She has served as a director on seven different boards, and currently a member of the City of Toronto Olympic Bid, 2008.

In closing Ms. Tennant told her audience, "As you step on in the life dance, remember: Keep the choreography light, let the air through, let the music in, let the soul out." Afterwards in the Dinning Room and in the Lounge downstairs Veronica Tennant inundated by guest with requests for her autograph their menus.

Recently the RCMI took part in a project to highlight Toronto's architectural heritage. The City of Toronto sponsored plan was to open buildings that are not normally open to the public for tours, and the Institute was the only private club of the 90 buildings to take part. During the two day week-end event, over 800 people toured 426 University, with members of the House, Library, and Museum committees acting as their hosts. Visitors were highly complimentary of their tour and the way it was organized and to a person said they would be back next year.

The Toronto Scottish Regiment hosted the satellite stamp unveiling of a Canada Stamp celebrating Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's 100th birthday. The Queen Mother is the Colonel-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces Medical Services, The Black Watch, and The Toronto Scottish Regiment.

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