MOUNT FOREST – At 11 years old, Ava Albrechtas has ribbons, medals and trophies adorning nearly every surface of her bedroom, but her biggest competition is yet to come.
Her sport is dance, and she has been selected to represent Canada in the Dance World Cup next year in Burgos, Spain.
Albrechtas, currently a Grade 6 student at Victoria Cross Public School, said the opportunity came to her during a competition in Guelph back in May – when she was still just a fifth grader.
She came home to Mount Forest from the competition with a trophy more than half her height, but perhaps more significant was the invitation she received at the event.
“There was a judge who was a scout for the World Performers,” Albrechtas’ mother, Nicole Dauphinais, explained.
“She received an invitation based on what the judge saw when she did her solo.”
World Performers Canada partners with Dance World Cup in Europe to offer dancers the opportunity dance with other students from across the country, travel and compete on a world stage.
Albrechtas was aware of the organization, because her friend was part of a team that travelled to Prague last year.
Many of the dancers who join the team audition for the opportunity, but Dauphinais didn’t even have the chance to schedule an audition for her daughter before receiving the invite during the competition.
“She was the only one chosen in her age group from that competition,” Dauphinais said.
Like most 11-year-olds, Albrechtas is a girl of few words.
Asked how long she has been dancing, she answers simply: “Since I was two and a half maybe.”
She dances lyrical, jazz, contemporary and acro, but it’s acro that got her onto the Canadian team, and it’s acro she likes best.
Ava Albrechtas seems to soar in this photo of her from a recent competition. Submitted photo
“It’s like my best type of dance,” said Albrechtas.
Her mother reckons that’s because she’s a natural.
“A lot of people have to really work at acro, but she’s built for it,” Dauphinais said. “She’s strong. That’s what made them choose her.”
It’s a form of dance reminiscent of a gymnastics floor routine, but with more emotion and without the springy floor.
In Spain, Albrechtas will be dancing in a “large group” acro routine, for which she has already begun rehearsals in Toronto, and she recently learned she will also be dancing in the “small group” acro routine, for which she starts rehearsals in November.
This is on top of her usual classes at DancEnergy Studios in Hanover.
It’s a big commitment, not the least part of which is the financial cost.
“We’re fundraising,” said Dauphinais.
The list of expenses is long, and includes a team fee, costumes for performances, plane tickets, and accommodations in Spain.
“It’s hard to get our minds wrapped around what you get [for your money] in Spain versus here,” Dauphinais said.
Because of Albrechtas’ age, a chaperone is mandatory, so her mother will fill that role and accompany her.
The two are “very excited,” because they’ve “never been anywhere before,” Albrechtas said.
Her father and brother also plan to go.
“My husband doesn’t not want to watch her dance on the world stage,” said Dauphinais, noting both of their children’s grandmothers also hope to go.
She said the grandparents will pay their own way, and the family has some money set aside, but it’s not enough.
She started an online fundraiser on GoFundMe.com in hopes of raising the estimated $7,000 it will cost for Albrechtas and one chaperone to attend the competition.
A few local businesses have offered sponsorships, so that is helpful, Dauphinais said.
She is continuing to spread the word, not just in the hunt for financial support, but to share her pride in what her daughter has accomplished.
“We knew she was good; we didn’t know she was that good,” said Dauphinais. “When other people think that, too, it seems to validate everything you’ve done to help.”
Asked about her hopes for Spain, Albrechtas said she hopes the group dances well together, and adds she hopes she doesn’t get in a plane crash.
“I’m scared to go on a plane,” she said. It seems stage fright is less of a worry for her.
“Before her dance starts, she’s always a bit on edge,” but it doesn’t last, said Dauphinais.
“Once I hear my music, the nerves are gone,” said Albrechtas.
To support Albrechtas’ journey to Spain, visit gofundme.com/f/help-ava-represent-canada-at-the-dance-world-cup-in-spain.
