Niagara dancers ready to take on world
Four Niagara residents have danced their way onto the international stage, heading to Spain this week for the Dance World Cup.
Niagara Falls sisters Tatum and Carlyn McLean, along with Simona Peracchia of St. Catharines and Courtney Burnison of Beamsville, are in Stiges, Spain, for the world finals, running June 22 to June 30. The four dancers are part of a team of about 100 competitors from across the country on World Performers Canada and will be competing alongside more than 20,000 competitors from 54 countries.
Peracchia and Burnison, of Broadway Lights Dance Studio, qualified for the event last year in competition. It will be the first time representing Canada for Burnison.
“I’m very excited to have the experience to represent Canada,” said the 13-year-old, who will be performing six numbers at the event. “It’s one of those opportunities I will be able to remember for a lifetime.”
Peracchia, 13, has been on the international stage before, having competed in Prague in 2014. She will perform eight numbers, including a jazz solo.
“It was a great experience the first time and it will help me doing it a second time. I know what to expect,” she said.
Both girls have been dancing for about 11 years — seven of those competitively — and said they have a passion for it.
For the McLean sisters, 13-year-old Carlyn inspired her older sister to make Team Canada. Carlyn qualified last year, leading 18-year-old Tatum to attend an audition.
“Once I heard about it, I wanted to do this with her,” said Tatum, who earned a spot despite being one of 1,500 dancers trying out. “It’s such a dream come true to represent Canada and it will be even more memorable to do this with my sister.”
The sisters dance out of Laurie Ewart’s Danceworks in Niagara Falls, and are excited about the chance to compete at the worlds. “It’s a great opportunity,” said Carlyn. “I’m excited to do this and see some of the different styles of dance from across the country.”
Carlyn will be performing seven numbers, including a jazz solo. She said while there may be some nerves, she feels ready.
“I’ve competed on stage in front of large crowds before,” she said. “I’m just excited to dance.”
All four girls are dancing virtually every day, whether it be for their studios or for World Performers Canada. Jacques Monfiston, co-founder and director of World Performers Canada, said competitors like Peracchia, Burnison and the McLean sisters are great examples of some of the country’s top dance talent. The team, he said, was put together to showcase Canada’s talent at elite level competitions, such as the Dance World Cup, where Canada will be represented for the first time.
“These are high-level, high-calibre dancers from across the country,” said Monfiston. “They are already the top competitive dancers at their home studios, and much like any elite sport, we’ve brought together the best of the best from across Canada.”