Five Orillia dancers from the Mariposa Dance Company have qualified to represent Canada at the Dance World Cup next July in Spain.
The girls, ranging in age from 10 to 16, say they are excited to dance in the competition that will see 9,500 competitors from approximately 60 countries on stage.
"It's the biggest event in the world after the Olympics," said Adyson Nathan, 12, a dancer who qualified for tap.
The girls competed earlier this summer in Toronto through World Performers Canada and were notified in August that they made the team. They will be among 400 dancers from across the country going to the competition in Burgos, July 3 to 12, 2025.
Before they go, they will be training and developing routines through workshops held in Toronto on long weekends.
"I think the schedule of them training with World Performers only on long weekends is excellent,” said Corinna Ouellette, owner and dance teacher of Mariposa Dance Company.
“It’s better than having to commit to every weekend driving to Toronto,” she said.
Ouellette said she focuses on teaching good technique and she encourages her dancers to try out for as many competitions, conventions and workshops as possible.
“It’s an awesome experience to work with other choreographers and it’s great to meet new friends, especially long distance ones, she said.
Dancers and their families have to pay for the workshops and must pay their way to Spain.
The cost for each dancer will be approximately $6,200, so the girls and their parents are organizing a variety of fundraisers including six dinners at the Anglican Church in Washago between Aug. 31 and March 2.
"It's good to try and earn money for something," said Ouellette.
For Adyson, it's her second time representing Canada as she went to the same competition in 2022 in Croatia, competing in tap. She placed second.
“I’m excited just to go to Spain and I’m excited to dance and meet new friends from other countries and I like trading things like little pins and putting them on my jacket,” said Adyson.
"My teachers, Miss Corinna and Miss Sara (Balkwill), without them we wouldn't have had this opportunity," she added.
"They've guided us a lot through the years and all the different genres of dance and more," said Gabriela Berrios, 15, who has qualified for jazz and contemporary styles.
"I've never done an audition before, so I was nervous, but everyone was really nice and I had an awesome time learning choreography from different teachers. I'm so excited about going to Spain," she said.
Gabriela also speaks Spanish, so she can guide the others when they are travelling.
Ella Ferry, 16, has competed in two world competitions: in 2022 in Croatia and 2019 in Germany. In 2022, she made it to the finals and placed sixth in the junior division. She'll be competing in tap for the 2025 worlds.
Emily Horne, 13, has also qualified for tap and looks forward to touring in Spain.
"What I love about dance is everyone can do it and it’s a fun thing for everyone," she said.
Shelby Nathan, 10, is the youngest competitor. In her first audition, she qualified for a jazz and tap in the children's division. She's looking forward to going to Spain.
"I've never been there but I've always wanted to go," she said.
The parents have set up a Facebook page: Dancing to Spain, where they will post news and information about fundraising events.
The first fundraising meal is a peameal-on-a-bun breakfast for $10 on Aug. 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 3314 Quetton St., Washago.
