Four tap dancers from Just4Kicks Academy of Dance in Gravenhurst won bronze in the International Dance Organization (IDO) World Tap Dance Championships.
The Championships were held in Prague from Oct. 23 to 27.
Shannon Charland, another of the academy’s instructors and the mother of Harper Charland, one of the dancers, says the girls did a “really amazing job” representing Canada against 19 other groups from different countries.
“The girls all grew so much from it and learned so much,” says Charland. “Seeing a different country, it was just the whole experience, and it was just incredible. My daughter’s already asking if she can go again.”
Charland says this championship is known as the “Olympics of Dance” because the competition is organized similarly.
“They do the gold, silver, bronze, and you get podium if you make one of those places,” says Charland.
She says Rachel Hrinkanic, Katalina Giordanella, Harper Charland, and Everleigh DeCaire got to be on the podium.
Charland says for this competition, Canada sends groups of all ages, adding the girls were selected among the best in the 12 and under category.
Currently, the girls are preparing for the Tales of the Nutcracker event happening at the Gravenhurst Opera House on Dec. 14 and 15.
Charland adds they are also working on their competition routines for next year.
