City Dance and three Vernon couples are putting their best foot forward in preparation for the Rocky Mountain DanceSport Grand Prix in Calgary next weekend.
Mark Warbinek and Destanne Norris, Myles Ferryman and Marijke Vandewater, and Ed Stranks and Colleen Duff will be proudly representing the local dance studio at the event Oct. 25 and 26.
For the first time ever, Vernon will have representation at the largest ballroom competition in Western Canada. Competitors will strut their stuff in the waltz and chachacha categories, in several divisions. They hope to be near the top of the results page, but gaining experience is the number-one goal for these dancers.
DanceSport is what used to be referred to as competitive ballroom dancing. It is now recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a sport and is expected to eventually be included in the Olympic program.
City Dance specializes in ballroom, Latin, swing, country and hiphop and the studio is pleased to be delving into the competitive world.
“Although all of these couples have been dancing for quite a few years, we have been training them quite intensely since June,” said Jens Goerner, coach and co-owner of City Dance. “I am very happy with their progress and I know that they will have great results.”
Goerner has an extensive background in dance, having been trained in Germany. He was a successful award-winning coach and studio owner in Germany and coached many couples to success in competitions in Europe. He is happy to now be able to test the competitive waters in Canada.
Goerner and business partner Heather Stranks will be accompanying the dancers to Calgary for the event.
“We are so excited to be able to watch them put their skills to the test against other dancers at their level. They have been working very hard and are looking great,” said Stranks.
For more information about the studio or the competition group, you can contact City Dance at 250-307-4955 or visit their website at www.citydanceok.com
