By Eleanor Wilson
A Narre Warren South student is among a team of young dancers who will represent Australia at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships in Arizona, USA in August.
Leisel Cope is one of eight dancers from the Ascendant Dance Company in Clayton, who placed second at the national hip-hop championships to qualify for the World Championships.
16-year-old Leisel, who has been dancing since she was three years old, is one of the older dancers in Ascendant DC Varsity, with members ranging from age 12 to 17.
“I’m just so excited because we’ve put so much work into it, we’re working really hard on the criteria and making sure everything is perfect,” she said.
The team trains four to five times a week, with some members travelling hours to and from the Clayton dance studio.
Ascendant Dance founder and director Gina Michael said each member of Ascendant DC Varsity has a unique essence and energy to offer.
“They’re so hard working…they epitomise the word ’team’,” she said.
“The kids know what they want and they’re redefining for themselves the amount of work that needs to go into achieving this feat.”
Describing the championships as “the Olympics of dance”, Ms Michael said the team is redefining the potential for dancers in Australia.
“We’re feeling incredibly excited for kids to experience the championships,” she said.
“We’re nervous but totally up for the challenge and grateful to have the opportunity to even be out in America with these kids.”
While Leisel has years of training in ballet, tap and jazz dance forms, she said the culture of Hip Hop is part of what makes it her favourite dance discipline.
“It’s such a supportive, family-like environment. Everyone supports and encourages each other, even at competitions other teams will hype you up,” she said.
The World Hip Hop Dance Championships will be held from August 6 to 13 in Arizona, USA, with over 250 crews from around the world competing.
