Pulse Studios Inc

One of the cornerstones in Calgary’s growing hip-hop community, Pulse Studios opened its doors in 2011 as the first and only dance studio in Calgary exclusive to hip-hop and street dance. “I really wanted to establish a place where authentic education could take place, and where people could be assured that if they come here they’re going to know what hip-hop is,” says Pulse Studios owner and creative director Tara Wilson.

Pulse Studios was founded by Tara, along with her ex-husband Peter Strickland, and Gill Co and Vince Truong. At the time, Gill and Vince were looking to open up a hip-hop focused community centre and Tara was looking for a more permanent location to hold her dance classes, so they all decided to combine forces. Thanks to the support and financial backing of Tara’s ex-husband Peter, Pulse Studios officially opened in January 2011.

“Part of the vision is that hip-hop really healed my life and has given me so many gifts. So I am very committed to it being a community expression,” Tara says. “I headed up the dance studio aspect and Vince and Gill did the marketing and planned events.” Tara has more than 15 years of experience as a dancer, choreographer and teacher and holds a degree in dance from the University of Calgary. While Tara started as a contemporary dancer, she quickly latched on to hip-hop and street dance, learning her form from many of the pioneers of dance within North America.

Due to her extensive experience in the community, taking on the creative director role was a no-brainer for Tara. “I feel I was the person to do that because I have been developing a really vast and deep knowledge of the dances and the culture from many of the pioneers of these dances and just by luck, have had good fortune to have learned about all the dances from many of the originators," she says.