More than 20,000 young dancers from 62 countries will compete in the Dance World Cup in Rome from June 26 to July 4, 2020. One of them will be Londoner Sydney LeClair, of Jo Read Dance Studio. She is part of the Acro team representing Canada with World Performers Canada Inc. Dance team. “She’s had her eye on it for a couple of years,” says her mother Andrea LeClair.

Part of a 13-member acro team competing in the Dance World Cup in Rome this summer, 14-year-old Sydney LeClair has been dancing since she was three years old. She takes 20 hours of classes each week and has been dancing competitively since she was seven years old.

The Dance World Cup is an all-genre competition for dancers aged four to 25. Those genres include classical ballet, modern, tap, acro, jazz, hiphop, commercial, and contemporary. Group dances are encouraged to provide an opportunity for more dancers.

Like any world-class competition, getting there takes talent, hard work, and commitment. Sydney started dancing recreationally at age three; was part of the pre-competitive team a couple of years later, and became a full-time competitive dancer at age seven. She attended a summer camp at the National Circus School (Ecole nationale de cirque) in Montreal when she was nine. A typical week for the 14-year-old includes 15-20 hours of technical dance classes as well as competitive choreography. “It’s a time and athletic commitment,” says her mother.

When Sydney won a place on the national team, time management was a factor in accepting. “We had to take into consideration she was starting Grade 9. It’s an amazing opportunity.” Sydney is one of 13 members of the Junior Acro Team (ages 14-17) as well as the small junior/senior acro group and an acro trio, each of which will compete in Italy. They receive choreography in the large team, smaller groups and a trio, each of which will compete in Italy. In Rome, the team will meet dancers from different countries. “Dance is a large world but it’s also a small world,” says Andrea. “They’ll form friendships.”

An Olympic-style parade and ceremony kick off the Dance World Cup. “To go to Europe and watch all the dancers from different countries around the world is inspiring.”

There are masterclasses with international teachers and excursions to explore Rome. Family, friends, and her home studio; Jo Read Dance; have all been very supportive and have all expressed what a great opportunity this is for her.”