Megan Doyle is 12 years old and a student at West Sechelt Elementary. She gets good grades in her academic subjects, says her mother Tara Doyle, but her real love is dance. She’s been dancing since the age of three and she puts in 12 hours a week mostly at the Coast Academy of Dance (CAD). Her favourite is contemporary dance but she has trained in all types of dance: ballet, tap, modern, jazz, acrobatics and hip-hop.
On July 1, Megan received a piece of good news: she had been selected to dance with Team Canada when they go to competition in Germany this Nov. 21 to 26. She will join the junior dance team, the 12 to 15 year olds, who perform in the style of show dance. Currently she travels to Vancouver once a week to train.
“Megan has done all of her dance training with us at CAD,” said Julie Izad, artistic director, “and she has always been a delight to teach.”
She has also been highly successful in her dance exams and is also now a part of CAD’s competitive team. “We are all very excited for her and wish her great success with Team Canada,” Izad said.
But the trip is expensive and competitors are expected to raise their own funds for travel. The Doyles are planning a fundraiser for Megan at the Lighthouse Pub, Sechelt, on Thursday, Sept. 29 from 4 to 8 p.m. It’s a burger and beer night with silent auction and a raffle. Tickets are $25 at Pretty Natty Duds, the Coast Academy of Dance and Trail Bay Home Hardware.
“I’m humbled by the community’s generosity so far,” said Tara, adding that she has already received donations and money to help Megan on the way.
To help support the dancers, contact Kevin Statham at 778-808-3703 or [email protected]. For more information on Team Canada Dance, see www.teamcanadadance.com
