Page 10 - Giv'er Miramichi magazine - Christmas 2018

Miramichi Athletes to Represent

Canada at the Dance World Cup

Photos by Vanessa Hutt Berzak

Five Miramichi athletes have been chosen by World The five dancers spent their Thanksgiving weekend in
Performers Canada to compete at the Dance World Cup in Toronto meeting the other members of the national team,
Portugal 2019. Sydnee Gallant, Tyra Humphreys, Abby getting fitted for costumes and Canadian team jackets, and
Keenan, Anna Sturgeon and Claire Wood, who dance under learning the choreography for the routines they will compete.
the direction of Nancy Hutt at Spotlights & Sequins dance Claire Wood, the youngest of the Miramichi athletes, is
studio, auditioned for and were selected by World Performers 12 years old and attends Gretna Green School. When asked
Canada in August. World Performers Canada Inc. (WPC) in about their first trip to Toronto she said she is already looking
partnership with Dance World Cup Europe, is proud to offer forward to going back. “I had so much fun in Toronto
exciting opportunities to competitive dancers across Canada. learning from new choreographers and meeting dancers from
Their goal is to offer elite dancers the ability to travel to other parts of Canada. It was also my first time in Toronto
different European Countries to compete on the World Stage and I loved being in the big city. Visiting the CN Tower was
in all dance disciplines. a highlight of that trip. I am extremely excited for the
Abby Keenan was the first dancer to be chosen by WPC. opportunity to represent my country. I'm looking forward to
In November 2017, she received an invitation to join the performing on the world stage but am also excited to see
ballet team, bypassing the audition process, at the Dance other countries perform and to explore Portugal.”
Quest Nationals held at Harbour Station in Saint John. The While in Toronto, not only did the dancers have the
16 year old Blackville School Student is in her fourth year of opportunity to get to know their choreographers but the
dancing with Spotlights and Sequins. Even though she was choreographers were also given the opportunity to get to
granted a spot on the ballet team, she also auditioned for and know each of the dancers. Heading to Toronto, the five
was chosen for the Canadian contemporary team. dancers knew the choreographers would be looking for
“Dance is my main passion and takes up most of my time dancers to offer soloist positions. Anna Sturgeon, a 15 year
and energy,” says Keenan. “I would never have thought in a old Blackville School student, had just entered New
million years that I would be representing Canada on a world Brunswick on her drive home from Toronto when she
stage and I am so excited and grateful to be able to live out received an email offering her a soloist position on the
such an experience in Portugal. To travel to Portugal will be Canadian contemporary team.
a once in a lifetime experience that I am sure I will remember “When I found out I was given a solo I couldn't believe
forever.” it. I felt proud of myself and that my hard work over the last

10 www.GiverMiramichi.com Christmas 2018