London was certainly calling for a local dance performance team.
Snap Dance Studios’ performance team made its debut in the U.K. capital with a 10-day trip from June 28 – July 9. A group of nearly 50 went on the overseas journey, 17 of them being dancers – the rest were parents and family.
The group performed at several schools before excited students who cheered on the Cochrane dance team.
One school in particular, an all girls’ school, was a major highlight for 15-year-old dancer Cally Babcock.
“They were just the best audience ever. They just gave us so much energy and they just loved it,” said Babcock. “It was really fun to be able to perform and answer their questions.”
This was Babcock’s third trip with the performance team, which she described as her “second family.”
“One thing I would say that I learned on this trip is that technique is important in dance, but the biggest part of it is being able to perform and please the audience,” she said.
According to studio manager Alison Bell, they typically take a group abroad every two years.
“In the past, we’ve done Disneyland, various all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, cruise lines and New York and Los Angeles,” Bell said.
Bell said the dancers do various fundraising activities throughout the season and hold a fundraising gala where all the proceeds from the event go towards the dancers. Their recent London trip included flash mobbing at Buckingham Palace during Canada Day and training for an entire day at the world renowned Pineapple Studios. They also performed at a London children’s hospital and youth centres for underprivileged kids.
The troop was also able to perform at some festivals including East Barnet Festival and the popular British Summer Time Hyde Park Festival that featured artists such as Arcade Fire, Black Sabbath and Soundgarden.
The festival provided the dancers with free tickets to see the Backstreet Boys. Babcock said it was her first concert ever and it was really fun to see it with her fellow dancers.
