They’ve been tapping up a storm to get ready.
Chaperones will be accompanying 34 young tap dancers from Western Canada to Germany next week to compete in the World championships of tap.
The choreographers are Kara Engle, along with Mickaela McAuliffe of Winnipeg, who has been flying down to the Lower Mainland every second weekend to prepare them.
“Between the two of us we have choreographed nine routines to compete in Germany – solos, duets, trios, small groups, and large formation teams,” says Engle.
The dancers from Chilliwack include: Lexi Barr (11), Brittany Jackson (12), Dana Bell (12), Alana Cross (15), Hannah Renaud (15), Alyssa Kish (16), who all dance at Creative Outlet in Chilliwack. Kaylee Engle (13) dances at Dance In Motion in Abbotsford, and Hana Dalton-Thompson (17) trained at DanceWorx, also in Abbotsford.
“All eight of these girls auditioned in August to become a part of the team.”
The team also comprises dancers from Abbotsford, Port Coquitlam, Langley, Nelson, and even some out-of-province competitors from Calgary and Saskatchewan.
“The girls all take at least two tap classes a week in the studio, as well as also spending their weekends in rehearsal with the rest of the team.
Success isn’t an accident.
“It takes this type of dedication in order to be a part of Team Canada, and I would attribute this hard work to their success, as well as their love for tap.
“Though all of these dancers participate in other styles of dance, their heart and strength lies mainly with tap.”
What will the judges be looking for?
“The judges in Germany will be looking simply for perfection. It is a combination of the execution of the tap steps, as well as the performance and entertainment factor which will help them score well.
“If these girls dance well, they will perform their routines a total of three times; starting at the quarter-finals, then the semi-finals, with the ultimate goal being to make it into finals and earn their spot on the podium.”
