Skip to content

Three Abbotsford dancers compete at world championships

Trio travels to show dance event in Riesa, Germany
59192abbotsfordDancersatworlds
Local dancers (from left) Kaitlyn Ikeda

Three Abbotsford dancers will compete with Team Canada at the World Show Dance Championships in Riesa, Germany from Nov. 21 to 26.

Jesse Merrick, Tayler Lang and Kaitlyn Ikeda were among several B.C. dancers who auditioned for the squad and were selected for the event being held by the International Dance Organization.

The three local teens gave up their summer holidays and weekends to train for the chance to represent Canada on the world stage.

Since there is no government support for Team Canada Dance, each member must raise their own funds to attend the world championships.

Individually and in groups, the dancers have held hot dog sales, car washes, bottle drives and pub nights, and sold donuts and Tupperware.

The world championships are held in an  Olympic-style format, with only one gold, silver and bronze being presented on the podium.

The Team Canada show dance squad is being choreographed by Danielle Gardner of B.C.