Laura Moir, a London dancer, is headed for an experience she’ll never forget. The grade 11 student at Catholic Central High School was recently chosen to represent Canada as a member of a World Performers Canada (WPC) national team that will compete in the 2019 World Cup of Dance next summer in Braga, Portugal.
“I am very honoured and humbled to be given this privilege and opportunity of a lifetime,” says Moir, who has been dancing since age 2 (her first experience through the City of London’s Spectrum Recreation Program).
It’s been quite the journey since then for Moir. At 5 years old, she enrolled in recreational dance classes at Dance Extreme, and then was selected at age 7 to join the competitive level and dance with older athletes.
She quickly earned the honour of performing in duets and solos, and it wasn’t long before she was winning awards – not only for her high marks, but also for her artistic abilities and stage presence. At her first U.S. Nationals in Ocean City MD, she won 1st overall for her Ballet solo, and 3rd overall for her Jazz solo (she also won a Special Award as the ‘Total Package Dancer’).
“I’ve come to realize the many ways that dance has helped me grow as a person,” says Moir, who is enrolled in the Leadership Exercise and Athletics Program (LEAP) at Catholic Central. “Dance has built my confidence and I have forged lifetime relationships through my home studio as well as through competitions and pageants. And I have recently begun to realize what it means to be respectful and a good role model to the youngest of dancers just starting their journey.”
Now, Moir is training for an experience of a lifetime. She’ll be part of the World Performers Canada contingent to compete in Braga, Portugal at the 2019 World Cup of Dance next summer (and she’ll be joined by a few other London area dancers). The WPC national team will consist of around 130 dancers – from Mini (ages 8-9) to Senior (18-25) – and represent Canada alongside 50 other countries (and 6,000 athletes).
Moir knows it won’t come without sacrifices. Besides the training, and time spent away from family and friends, she is in the process of raising funds to cover the $4,000 cost for the trip. She’s looking for sponsors, and she’s doing her part as well, to ensure that her experience next summer will be truly unforgettable.
Contributions by World Performers Canada
