Young Bolton dancers are heading for world championships

Jade, 10, and Ashley, 13, both dance competitively at Vanessa Zullo's School of Dance in Bolton. Ashley currently dances for the Toronto Blue Jays Aces Jr. Jays Dance Team, while Jade is a dancer on the Toronto Raptors Mini Dance Pak.

The first weekend of May, Ashley Parks and Jade DeLaRonde attended auditions and Canadian National Dance Championship Provincials held in Guelph.

It was there that they both successfully qualified for a spot on Team Canada. Similar auditions and competitions had taken place all across Canada with only ten solo dancers in each age category being chosen to represent their country at the World Dance Championships. The prestigious World Cup is being held at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in New York City July 17 and 18. Dancers from all around the world will compete at this Olympic styled event with over 50 nations worldwide vying for the title of World Champion.

Jade will perform her Jazz Solo Electric Youth in the 11 and under category. Ashley is competing in the 12 and over category with her Ballet Solo Sevilla and Jazz Solo Happy Just to Dance. Jade will also be performing her three solos (Jazz, Open, & Lyrical) at the North America Dance Awards being held in NYC just prior to the World Cup.

While at this spectacular dance festival, the girls will also have the opportunity to attend workshops and master classes offered by some of the best choreographers and dancers in the business. Jade and Ashley are both very proud to represent their country and are very excited about their trip to New York. They look forward to seeing the different dancers perform from all over the world. What an awesome opportunity for these young ladies to celebrate their love of dance. Congratulations and good luck!