L-R: Emma Jung, Kira Leroux, Amanda Leang and Victoria Granger in their closing pose from their dramatic contemporary dance of Glitter and Gold at Starpower International

by Mary-Anne Leang

Four local Kemptville dancers are heading to New Jersey to compete in the World Dance Championships (WDC) on July 30.  These talented dancers, Kira Leroux, Victoria Granger, Emma Jung and Amanda Leang, were so excited to earn a Golden Ticket entry to the event.   Golden Tickets to the event are by invite only and earned by top performances leading up to the event. These dancers competed with Precision Cheer and Dance at Starpower International dance competition in Ottawa this past May.  Precision Cheer and Dance has since changed management and ownership and is continuing to support local dancers and athletes under its new name, Kemptville Infinity.  Kemptville Infinity was very proud to support these dancers to make sure they were able to attend the WDC.

Their group dance, Glitter and Gold by Barnes Courtney, was chosen by the Starpower judges to compete at the WDC.  It is a dramatic contemporary dance that showcases the dancers’ talent. They have been very busy with additional rehearsals and preparation so they can showcase their absolute best for the competition.  Infinity competitive dancer, Laurel Stewart, has also been training with Kira, VIctoria, Emma & Amanda as their understudy as an alternate if someone is not able to compete.  The role of understudy for dance is extra challenging as you must be able to learn and do everyone’s parts, just in case.  She is excited to be able to join them on this adventure.

Since the Infinity dancers will be staying just across the bridge from New York City, they will also head to the streets of New York City to take two dance classes at Broadway Dance Center while they are there.  In addition to a contemporary dance class that they will take together, they will also take a class of their own interest – some have chosen tap, hip hop and jazz.

Amanda previously took dance lessons at Broadway Dance Center in New York City three years ago, when she danced with the Academy of Expressive Dance and ignited her passion for dance and learned amazing dance skills over eight years with Andrea Gaw.  Moving to Precision tow years ago allowed her to follow her dream to take her dance talent into competitions.   Amanda also trains as a competitive cheerleader and pom dancer and has received numerous judge’s special awards and a dance scholarship.  She was accepted into Canterbury High School’s dance program in Ottawa in the fall and is looking forward to bringing all that she learns, at both the Broadway dance classes and at Canterbury, back to Infinity where she is a dance assistant.

Kira has been dancing for five years and this is her second year doing competitive dance. She’s also received judge’s special awards and her dance talent took to the professional stage last December when she performed in Ballet Jorgen’s version of the Nutcracker at Centrepointe Theatre.  Her favorite genres of dance include jazz and contemporary.

Kira says: “I love looking back and seeing how far we’ve come and how much we’ve improved to get to this point. I am so excited and grateful to be able to have this opportunity of performing in New Jersey! I’m very thankful for everyone who has helped us along the way, we wouldn’t be able to have gotten this far without them!”

Victoria started dance lessons when she was three and this is her 2nd year of competitive dance.  She also competed as a pom dancer on Precision’s pom team three years ago. Victoria is excited for the opportunity that this trip will bring her.

Ten-year-old Emma is the youngest of the group, it is her 2nd year of competitive dance and her first year at Infinity/Precision.  She is very passionate and committed to developing her dance skills in the years to come.  She is excited to explore new genres of dance in the upcoming 2019/2020 competitive season with Infinity and hopes to attend Canterbury high school in the future to advance her dream of becoming a dance teacher.

These talented dancers are thankful for this opportunity and can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.  Kemptville Infinity is very excited for them and is proud to continue to provide endless possibilities for its athletes.

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