Local athlete to represent Team Canada in Poland at international dance competition

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Come December, a young Wheatland County athlete will take to the stage alongside her fellows representing Team Canada in Poland at the International Dance Organization World Championships.

Competitor Sydney Brown explained the competition is considered effectively similar to the Olympics, but for young dancers. 

“I am just competing in acrobatics, but the competition is for all styles,” said the 16-year-old. “It is like tumbling, back tucks, front aerials, side aerials, back handsprings, those kinds of things.”

Brown took to dancing eight years ago, discovering acrobatics a year after switching to dance from gymnastics. 

She said despite her love for doing tricks and stunts, she felt a strong desire to do something more expressive than a routine. 

“Each set of music is kind of like a different story you are telling. Sometimes it is creepy, sometimes it is sad,” said Brown. “I’ve been competing for five years – solos, duos, group dance; my solo that I did this year was how I auditioned for Team Canada and being able to compete at this prestigious competition.”

In addition to competing as a solo athlete, Brown will also perform alongside a group of other athletes from across Alberta. 

Though the team has yet to meet in person, they expect to begin having organized rehearsals together in August, coming together regularly until they are set to depart for Poland. 

“Our choreographer, she is flying in from B.C. just a couple weekends here and there until the competition. Besides that, it is going to be a lot of personal cleaning the routines ourselves, and making sure we are all practicing so we are ready for the next rehearsal,” said Brown. “It is definitely nerve wracking, especially because we have never danced before. I don’t really know anyone, I feel nervous and excited. I’m sure it will be okay.”

Brown added this competition will be her first time competing on an international stage.

For this particular type of dance, she explained it is critical to maintain one’s strength, stamina, and flexibility. 

“You have to be very strong, and you have to have lots of stamina because you have to make it look easy. On top of the hours you train in the studio, there is also lots of strength conditioning you have to do at home, and stretching,” she said. “There is even, you have to practice your facial expressions because those do not come naturally to most people.”

Brown is currently seeking sponsorship and donations to aid in her efforts to afford the travel costs associated with competing. She is estimating over $6,000 will be required to finance the entire journey. She has also been collecting bottles throughout the local area in addition to her search for support.