Dancers to compete in Kelowna

Posted on: jamacsadmin

Shannon LeClair – Times Reporter

The Expressions of Dance Studio has 15 dancers competing in 14 routines in the Great Canadian Dance Challenge in Kelowna B.C.
The challenge will be taking place from July 8 to 11, and it is similar to going to nationals. The qualifying round was held in Lethbridge from April 21 to 25. There were 24 routines which qualified from Strathmore.

“The Lethbridge qualifying round had very high standards, the adjudicators are from L.A.,” said Anne Leeper, whose daughter will be competing in two routines. 

Due to extra costs and summer vacations, some of the competitors won’t be able to make it. “There were so many routines that qualified, that some people just couldn’t afford that extra expense to go to Kelowna.  It depends how many teams are involved in it and how many days they are competing in,” said Heather Thomas, owner of Expressions of Dance Studio.

“I think they are very excited, along with a little bit nervous. It’s exciting but it’s going to be a lot of hard work,” said Thomas. The youngest competitor is four and the oldest one is an adult said Thomas.

The regular season for dancers is generally from September to June, and competitive dancers will practice up to five times a week. The routines are everything from character ballet, to theatre to modern to jazz to tap dance. Most of the competitive kids study different styles of dance.

As a way to help subsidize some of the costs for those who are still going to the competition, some of the parents are holding a fundraising BBQ at M&M Meats on June 26.  The BBQ will be from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. There will be a table with awards the dancers have won, and some of the girls will be there helping.