Call us NOW to register! (204) 669-2369

TEAM CANADA WINS AT 2009 WORLDS

International Dance Organization (IDO) World Ballet, Jazz and Modern Championships were held in Niagara Fall Ontario July 31-August 1, 2009. Countries such as Finland, Germany, Nepal, Poland, USA and Australia to name a few competed in the Championships. The categories were Children’s, 11 years and under:  Junior, 12 to 15 years; and Adult, 16 years and up. Team Canada consisted of dancers from Manitoba and Ontario.

Rising Star Dance Academy, Erin Scott and Amanda Bunting won a Bronze medal in the Children’s Ballet Duets and Alexandra Banman and Alysha Scott won a bronze medal in the Junior Ballet Duets. “It was a real experience competing against people from all over the world,” exclaimed Alexandra, “I even made a friend from Australia.”

Local competitors say Winnipeg claimed more than 20 medals on behalf of Canada. The Manitoba schools that helped make up Team Canada were Rising Star Dance Academy, Kids Etc., YMC, Shelly Shearer School of Dance, Marquis Dance Academy, and The Dance Centre.

Korinne Hewitt, Director of Rising Star Dance Academy said, “It was great to see how Canada compared to other countries and we did better than hold our own.  The Winnipeg Schools did very well and Winnipeg should be proud of its young dancers. All the kids represented our city and country well.” Seven judges from seven countries assessed the finalists, and the winners took their places on Olympic-style podiums.

IDO’s Tap Championships will be held in December in Germany, and Winnipeg will also be sending teams to represent Canada in the different categories.