Dancers from a Nanaimo studio are still grappling with the surreal fact that theyB次元官网网址檒l represent Canada in an international competition this fall.

The dancers, Deeya Sharma, 16, Olivia Rockall, 17, Leena Sharma, 13, Leeya Sharma, 13, and Ethan Cooke, 14, were among the 60 performers chosen across the country to dance at the International Dance Organization World Hip Hop and Popping Championship in Poland that will see more than 50 countries participating in late October.

B次元官网网址淔or me, it hasnB次元官网网址檛 fully set in yet,B次元官网网址� Cooke said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very excited to do it, but I feel like it wonB次元官网网址檛 B次元官网网址� until we get to Poland. And then IB次元官网网址檒l be like, B次元官网网址極h my goodness, this is crazy.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

Although the teens have at least a decade of dance experience under their belts and said theyB次元官网网址檙e more than ready to take on the competition, excited nerves still creep in as the event grows closer.

B次元官网网址淚 realize how big it is, but once we get there, I think weB次元官网网址檒l really realize how this is a huge thing. IB次元官网网址檝e never competed country-against-country before,B次元官网网址� Deeya said.

According to the group, while none of the five dancers going this year have attended the competition before, they will however be following in the footsteps of other Vibe studio dance members like Jacksun Fryer of the Vancouver Island dance duo, Funkanometry.

And several Vancouver members of the Canada team have attended before, Deeya said, which will play to their advantage. They also expect to see dancers from Campbell River and Victoria on the team as well.

While in Poland, the group will split up into junior or adult divisions, and compete as either solos, duos, groups or formations. The opportunity to train with the rest of the Canada team doesnB次元官网网址檛 present itself frequently, but the dancers are trying to practise together as often as they can.

B次元官网网址淲alking into it, I feel like itB次元官网网址檚 not an easy competition at all. People are bringing their best from each country,B次元官网网址� Deeya said.

Cooke said heB次元官网网址檚 been told that, on an international hip hop dance level, Canada has a different style.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e more old school with our moves, like street dance. All the other countries do that as well, but IB次元官网网址檝e been told weB次元官网网址檙e quite different,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice because a lot of us have a very freestyle-oriented background,B次元官网网址� Deeya said. B次元官网网址淛ust having that brings something else to when youB次元官网网址檙e doing choreography.B次元官网网址�

By the end of the championships, regardless of the outcome, the group members said theyB次元官网网址檙e looking forward to bringing back all the experience and knowledge to the other dancers in the studio B次元官网网址� and hopefully provide some inspiration and motivation.

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mandy.moraes@nanaimobulletin.com
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