A selection of Red Deer dancers will be part of the group leading the daily Disneyland parade in California.
Thirty-two dancers from Dance Traxx Studio in Red Deer made the cut when auditioning for a spot in Dance the Magic’s travel-dancing experience.
Dance the Magic Inc., also known as Showcase Productions of California, is an international company that offers travelling workshop and performing experiences exclusive to dance studios.
The company offers a dozen or so studios the opportunity to lead the Disneyland parade every summer as well as perform in showcases of their own for tourists at Disneyland Adventure Park in Anaheim, Calif.
“We’re so proud of our dance troupe and all the hard work and time they’ve put into this,” said Meagan McGratten, studio owner and director.
As far as McGratten knows, this is the first time dancers from Red Deer have been involved in the Disneyland parade and performed a showcase of their own at the park.
“We try to do a trip every two years or so to give our dancers more exposure to the world and professionals from all over,” she said.
“In 2010, the troupe went to New York. This year, we discovered what Dance the Magic had to offer.”
Dance Traxx’s troupe is made up of selected dance students who wanted something extra on top of their classes. They range in age from 11 to 18.
The troupe arrives in California on Wednesday to take part in various workshops with Disney’s own dancers and choreographers, as set up by Dance the Magic.
On Friday, they will join other dancers from studios across North America and dance at the head of the parade down main street, followed by the well-known Mickey’s Soundsational Parade.
On Saturday, the troupe will lead another afternoon parade throughout the Adventure Park.
The dancers had to learn a new dance for the parades.
The troupe submitted four dance numbers to Dance the Magic.
Two were chosen to be performed in Dance the Magic’s Summer Dance Classic Showcase, which will take place July 15.
Both numbers are jazz but with a twist, said one of Dance Traxx’s instructors, Taryn Martinek.
“One has more of a salsa jazz component to it while the other is called Whispers and is more contemporary,” said Martinek.
Dancers were responsible for fundraising for the trip and held a number of bottle drives as well as a pub night and silent auction.
rfrancoeur@www.reddeeradvocate.com