A Prince George dancer will be pulling on the uniform of Team Canada, but rather than a sporting event, Aiden Yip will represent the nation at the World Dance Championships.
This arts extravaganza will be hosted by three countries in Europe: Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland, depending on the genre. Yip is a ballet specialist with some jazz and modern aptitudes which means he will travel with the team destined for Poland.
Each weekend the PGSS Grade 8 student drives to Vancouver and back for the team rehearsals. He is the only member of Team Canada from outside the Lower Mainland.
"I go to classes here to practice by myself, then I go down to be with the team so I can make friends and work on the group numbers, because chemistry helps, I find," he said.
He also has to keep to a challenging fundraising schedule, since there is no federal funding for the team. The estimated expense for team activities is about $10,000.
"Travelling to the rehearsals in Vancouver by plane would also be nice, that is part of the fundraising plan, but that comes last in the equation," said his mother Shendah Yip.
The family knows it is a major cost, but Yip has always been enthusiastic about his dance recreation and he is well on the path to making it a career.
"This trip is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said. "My family was on the internet looking for workshops and whatever dance opportunities there might be for me, and mom found the auditions for Team Canada. We did them just for fun, to gain experience [there was an in-person component and a DVD component] but then I got the call that the team wanted me."
"We have gotten a lot of support from his studio [Enchainement Dance Centre and proprietor] Judy Russell. She helps us a lot with his preparation to go," said Shendah. "To have a part of her going over to Poland too, through all she's done for Aiden, is pretty special as well."
There are expectations on Team Canada. There are dozens of categories that the team members will compete in as individuals and in group numbers. In each event, a gold, silver and bronze medal are awarded with the victorious nation's national anthem played and flag raised at the medal ceremonies in exactly the same style as the Olympic Games.
"Dance is not recognized in Canada as a sporting event even though many of these dancers train up to seven days per week, they are as flexible as any gymnast, as graceful as figure skaters, and as dedicated as any Olympic athlete," said Team Canada director Bonnie Dyer.
The overall event is hosted by the International Dance Organization (IDO) to which 90 countries on six continents are signatories. Canada won 21 gold, 17 silver and 8 bronze medals in 2013 and was declared Team of the Year at the Poland component.
"I'm excited; I'm nervous. It's 50-50," said Yip. "But you should be nervous. That is part of preparing. This is the world championships, so you should be feeling the pressure. I am focused on new experiences, not winning medals, but I want to do my best. I think I'll be nervous in a different way when I stop seeing the other dancers I'm rehearsing with as friends and see them as teammates. I think that will happen close to when we go over, when we put on the uniform and start doing things as a team about to compete for Canada."
The events in Poland happen in December.
A collection account has been set up for Yip at the PG Recycling and Return-It Centre, to gather donations from those recycling bottles. Other fundraising events will also be held, and sponsorships are welcomed. A fundraising website has been established at www.yourcaring.com/nonprofits/team-canada-dance-2014/183554.
"It is such an honour to be chosen to represent my country," said Yip. "also, being a northern boy from Prince George, doing something that I am so passionate about - this will be one of the most memorable experiences of my dance career and life."
