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By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

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Six central Alberta dancers to rep Canada in Belgium

Oct 4, 2023 | 4:34 PM

Six central Alberta dancers will represent Canada at an upcoming competition in Belgium.

Hazel Stapley (Strive Red Deer), Kaitlyn Rumohr (Catalyst Red Deer), Eva Best (Catalyst Red Deer), Alexane Best (Catalyst Red Deer), Mika Prins (Catalyst Lacombe) and Kaitlyn Worr (Dancer’s Edge Sylvan Lake) will head to DePanne from Nov. 27 to Dec. 3, 2023 for the World Ballet & Jazz Championships, and World Modern & Contemporary Championships.

The six were subject to an audition in order to be selected for the team, and will join with other dancers from across Canada to achieve the best possible cumulative score at the event.

Team Canada has not participated in the event since 2017, largely due to COVID-19.

“Dance has given me an outlet to express myself, and it has improved my confidence, time management, and has given me a lifelong passion. I had never imagined that I would have the opportunity to represent my country on the world stage. I am still wrapping my head around what this opportunity entails,” says Rumohr.

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“I am so excited to travel to Belgium with some of my best friends, and to do what I love in a beautiful place. Maybe most of all, I can’t wait to see what the teams from other countries bring to the table, and to make new friends from across the world. It is amazing to me how dance can connect people from different cultures, even those who don’t speak the same language.”

Eva Best outlined the work that goes into making it to this stage, saying she trains five to six days a week, then practices with Team Canada on the weekend.

“I am so excited and thankful to be part of Team Canada West and compete in Belgium in November this year. We will be competing against other amazing countries. I am so appreciative to get the opportunity to travel and represent my country and learn from the other dance teams,” says Best, who attends Lindsay Thurber High School.

“This year I get the amazing opportunity to perform in four dances to compete in Belgium: Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and a Contemporary small group with only four dancers in the group. Dance has always been an important part of my life so now getting to compete with over 90 nations will be such an inspiration and allow me to learn and grow extremely as a dancer.”

In advance of the trip, the girls are seeking corporate sponsorship, with plans for a silent auction. Details are to be announced. Each dancer is attempting to raise $4,500. A sponsorship letter can be viewed here.

“Canada has been quite successful in all dance disciplines at the World Championships and this is mainly due to the high standards of training that our local studios offer,” says Bonnie Dyer, National Director of Team Canada Dance. “It is also great to see the ‘best of the best’ in Canada, dancers from various studios, towns and provinces coming together onto one team with one goal – to represent Canada!”

Choreographers going with the teens for Team Canada West are Lisette Stein Prestige Dance Academy – Calgary), Shelley Tookie, and Kelci Tookie (Shelley’s Dance Company – Edmonton).