Several B.C. dancers auditioned and have made it to the largest and most prestigious of all dance competitions – The International Dance Organization’s World Dance Championships, this year the World Show Dance Championships will be hosted by Germany with events held in Riesa from Nov. 21-26.
This year’s Team Canada Dance teams include Campbell River dancer Ashley Henri.
The International Dance Organization has over 250 thousand member dancers from six continents. This exciting World Championship format is Olympic Style with only one Gold, Silver and Bronze being presented on the podium with the World Champions National Anthem being played as the top three medalist flags are raised.
Team Canada Dance National Director Bonnie Dyer has selected Danielle Gardner to choreograph the Canadian National Show Dance Team in Western Canada. Gardner comes to the team with a wealth of experience.
As a successful choreographer who has had dancers make it to the medal podium in the past, as well has previous experience attending the World Championships. Dyer states that Canada has been quite successful in all dance disciplines at the World Championships and this is mainly due to the high standard of training that
local studios offer. She also states “It is also great to see the best of the best in Canada that come from various studios all working together as one team with one goal…and that is to represent Canada.”
While most teens are doing other activities during the summer, Henri and the rest of this very talented youth group, gladly gave up their summer holidays as well as their weekends to train for this exciting experience and a chance to represent Canada on the world stage. Since there is no government support for Team Canada Dance, each member must raise their own funds to attend the World Championships.
Individually and in groups, the dancers have held hot dog sales, car washes, bottle drives, pub nights, sold donuts, tupperware, and will be holding many more events through the months of October and November.
We hope that you will help support these young people that will represent your community as well as your country at the World Championships.
More Information on Team Canada Dance can be found on www.teamcanadadance.com