Dancing on the world stage

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This article was published 12/10/2016 (3460 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Eleven talented dancers will represent Team Canada on the world stage next month, as they compete in what is often referred to as the “Olympics of tap.”

The students of Steppin’ Time Dance Studio successfully auditioned for the Canadian National Tap Team and will travel to Riesa, Germany to compete in the World Tap Championships Nov. 29 to Dec. 3.

“It’s just amazing to be able to go and represent Canada … and to see people from all over the world doing the style of dance that they love — it’s super exciting,” said Steppin’ Time owner and director Monique Roy-Keller.

Roy-Keller has watched the students grow up at the studio, and is proud to see them succeed.

“I think all of them have pretty much been here since they were preschoolers,” she said. “Two of them are graduating this year, so it’s kind of special for them to be able to do something like this.”

Jayden Case, 17, and Jalene Moman, 16, are both graduating from Vincent Massey High School this year. They both were on Team Canada National Tap Dance Team in 2012, so they know what to expect in Germany and are thrilled to compete again.

“It was so much fun that first time, I can’t even explain it. It was so surreal to be there with all these other amazing tap dancers from around the world,” Moman said. “You meet everyone from all these different countries that you never thought you’d meet. It’s just really cool.”

Moman started dancing at just two years old, following in the footsteps of her sister.

“I loved it. I’ve been doing it ever since,” she said.

Other Brandon dancers on the adult tap team are Dane Szabo, Quinn Ritchie, Aiden Simard, Colby Pilling and Adanna Denys-Peters.

On the junior team is Zoey Adams, Sienna Denys-Peters, Brooklyn Adams and Alexa Case.

The International Dance Organization is a World Dance and Dance-Sport Federation with a membership of more than 90 nations, representing more than 250,000 dancers, from six continents.

Preparing for the competition has taken a lot of time, effort and dedication. But for the dancers, it is all worth it.

“I started dancing at Steppin’ Time when I was six years old. I did gymnastics as a kid and then I started doing dance and just kinda fell in love with it,” said Jayden, who said she is hoping to attend a university dance program after she graduates high school.

The Brandon dancers have been travelling to Winnipeg to rehearse with the rest of their team from Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The host studio is Kickit Dance Studio in Winnipeg.

“Their weekends for the past month have comprised of going to Winnipeg every Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” said Susan Case, who is Jayden’s and Alexa’s mother. “This weekend for example, I think they have 10-12 hours of practice … it’s been a big commitment and a big cost.”

The travel costs for each dancer is $3,600, which doesn’t include costumes or choreography fees. Due to the fact dancing is not considered a sport, the students are unable to tap into government grants.

“Dance is kind of caught between a sport and an art, so we don’t get any of those grants,” Susan said. “It is very frustrating because a lot of sports teams can get a couple thousand dollars for travel … and ours, basically they’re on their own or else corporate sponsors.”

To help offset the travel costs, the group is planning a few fundraising events, including a Bud, Spud and Steak night at the Great Western Roadhouse tomorrow. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. There will be a 50/50 and a prize table. Tickets are $20.

A variety show is in the works for Nov. 10, to be held at the Keystone Centre Amphitheatre. Details and time are yet to be determined.

“We’re just going ask local talent — singers, jugglers, and everything to donate their time to this show,” Susan said. “I think they want to have five to ten acts.”

The hope is that local businesses and individuals in the community will sponsor the local dancers to help with travel costs.

“The kids did go around as a team about a month ago to a bunch of businesses in Brandon with sponsor letters,” Susan said. “No one’s really called them back, so they’ll have to do some followups.”

» jaustin@brandonsun.com

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