Five dancers from Orillia’s Mariposa Dance Company have qualified to represent Canada at the Dance World Cup in Spain next July.

The girls, aged between 10 and 16, say they are looking forward to dancing in the competition, which will feature 9,500 competitors from around 60 countries on stage.

“After the Olympics, it’s the biggest event in the world,” said Adyson Nathan, 12, a dancer who qualified in tap dancing.

The girls competed in Toronto earlier this summer through World Performers Canada and were notified in August that they had been selected to the team. They will be among 400 dancers from across the country heading to the competition in Burgos from July 3-12, 2025.

Before they leave, they will spend long weekends in Toronto training in workshops and developing routines.

“I think the schedule of only training with World Performers on long weekends is excellent,” said Corinna Ouellette, owner and dance instructor of Mariposa Dance Company.

“It’s better than having to drive to Toronto every weekend,” she said.

Ouellette said she focuses on teaching good technique and encourages her dancers to participate in as many competitions, conventions and workshops as possible.

“It’s a great experience to work with other choreographers and it’s great to meet new friends, especially those from far away,” she said.

Dancers and their families must pay for the workshops and cover their own travel to Spain.

The cost for each dancer is about $6,200, so the girls and their parents are organizing various fundraisers, including six dinners at the Anglican Church in Washago between August 31 and March 2.

“It’s good to try to earn some money,” Ouellette said.

This will be Adyson’s second time representing Canada, as she competed in tap dancing at the same competition in Croatia in 2022. She placed second.

“I’m looking forward to going to Spain and I’m looking forward to dancing and meeting new friends from other countries. I also like to trade things like little pins and put them on my jacket,” said Adyson.

“Without my teachers, Miss Corinna and Miss Sara (Balkwill), we would not have had this opportunity,” she added.

“They have guided us a lot over the years and through all the different dance genres and more,” says 15-year-old Gabriela Berrios, who is qualified in jazz and contemporary styles.

“I’ve never been to an audition before so I was nervous, but everyone was really nice and I had a great time learning choreography from different teachers. I’m so excited about Spain,” she said.

Gabriela also speaks Spanish so she can guide the others on their journey.

Ella Ferry, 16, has competed in two World Championships: in Croatia in 2022 and in Germany in 2019. In 2022, she made it to the finals, finishing sixth in the junior division. She will compete in tap dancing at the 2025 World Championships.

13-year-old Emily Horne has also qualified for tap dancing and is looking forward to her tour of Spain.

“What I love about dancing is that anyone can do it and everyone enjoys it,” she said.

Shelby Nathan, 10, is the youngest participant. At her first audition, she qualified for a jazz and tap dance in the children’s class. She is looking forward to going to Spain.

“I’ve never been there, but I’ve always wanted to go,” she said.

The parents have set up a Facebook page: Dancing to Spain, where they post news and information about fundraising events.

The first fundraising meal is a peameal-on-a-bun breakfast for $10 on August 31st from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 3314 Quetton St., Washago.