Two Langley dancers are heading to Germany for one of the largest and most prestigious dance competitions in the world.
Ellaena O’Doherty Iverson, 12, and Kaylie McCarthy, 10, of Cameron Academy of Dance are two of 50 dancers from Western Canada that will perform on Team Canada ShowDance West at the World Dance Championships in Reisa, Germany from Nov. 20 to 25.
The competition, hosted by the International Dance Organization, has over 250,000 member dancers from six continents, and features an Olympic-style format with only one Gold, Silver and Bronze medal presented on the podium while the World Champion’s National Anthem is played.
The Team Canada ShowDance West is led by accomplished head choreographer Danielle Gardner, a former world champion dancer. Gardner was also a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance Canada, and has appeared in films Motive and Centre Stage.
“Being offered the opportunity to bring together amazing dancers from all over Western Canada, who have not danced together, to form them into a team, and then to watch them proudly representing Canada on the World Stage is indeed a treasured gift,” Gardner said.
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, said Bonnie Dyer, Team Canada Dance national director.
“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,” she said.
And unlike their European counterparts, the Team Canada Dance athletes must raise their own funds to train and attend the championships in Germany. Those wishing to contribute can do so by visiting www.teamcanadadance.com or emailing dm.gardner@shaw.ca.
