It has been a long route to the Finals, but these exceptional dancers have made it to the top and have been chosen from thousands of ‘Dance’ hopefuls. Canada, it’s time to meet your very first Top 20!
These dedicated dancers are gearing up for the first live show, but first, they’re here to let you know where they’re from and why they’re excited to be here.
Allie Bertram, 18, Calgary, Alta.
- Having trained most recently at the Boston Ballet, ballerina Allie Bertram can’t wait to perform different styles of dancing. Though she believes in hard work over luck, Allie collects lucky pennies from all the cities she dances in. “Finding a lucky penny can just change your attitude, so I figure, hey why not, it’s just a little extra special thing in your day!” she says.
- “I want to show Canada that I’m versatile and that it is because of my strong technical background. I think it’s important for young dancers to really keep up their ballet — it’s such a strong foundation. I think if I were to choose my signature move, it would be dancing on pointe and wearing a tutu.”
Arassay Reyes, 21, South Surrey, B.C.
This Latin dancer was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, and came to Vancouver just months before auditioning for So You Think You Can Dance Canada. In Cuba, she trained at the Cuban National School of the Arts and worked with the National Contemporary Dance Company of Cuba. Though she is nervous about performing hip hop, she can’t wait to show Canada her unique, energetic style of dance.- “I can’t wait to work for the choreographers. They’re so great and so amazing and I can’t wait to work with different partners. I can’t wait to see all the audiences and all the fans of the show. It’s so exciting. If I win, I want to bring the rest of my family to Canada and create my own company and studio.”
Breanne Wong, 25, Ajax, Ont.
- Breanne Wong says she can’t wait to get on stage and perform for both the live audience and the audience at home. “It’s the first five seconds that’s scary, but then it’s just so exciting,” she says. Before she goes on stage, she follows the advice she’s had tattooed on her foot: ‘breathe.’ “All I can do is just ground myself and think positively.
- “Recently, I’ve been teaching dance and helping my students achieve their goals and I’m so excited to get on stage myself and inspire others by performing. I want to live outside of the box and really push things. I want to represent myself as an individual. I always try to live presently and take things one at a time. It’s all about being in the moment.”
Caroline Torti, 23, Oakville, Ont.
- Contemporary dancer Caroline Torti wants to show Canada that although contemporary dance can be technically-driven, she can take it to the next level by investing passion and emotion. She says she’s nervous about dancing for her life, but adds: “Even still, I’m excited to be able to show Canada what I do and really win their hearts.
- “I’m so excited to be able to be here and be able to really grow and extend myself as a dancer in so many different areas. I think one of my strengths is that I’ve never been able to give up. No matter how hard or grueling it is, rehearsals, performances, all of it, I’ve never given up on anything in my life and I’m not about to start!”
Danny Arbour, 26, Montreal, Que.
- Montreal-native Danny Arbour is excited to show off his spicy Latin ballroom moves. He was impressed by the calibre of dancers at the Montreal auditions and says one of the highlights was doing his ‘happy dance’ on the stage during Finals Week after he found out he had made it to the Top 20. After the show, Danny says he would like to open a dance studio to give back to the dance community.
- “I want to be known as Canada’s favourite dancer! I’m excited to better myself as a dancer and explore different kinds of dances beyond ballroom. I’m excited and a bit anxious about getting on the stage for the first time, but it’s a good stress!”
Dario Milard, 19, St. Hubert, Que.
- Dario Milard thinks his solos are going to win the hearts of Canadians: “People are going to be excited if I ever have to dance for my life,” he jokes. He also thinks his ability to connect to audiences will be clear, “even through the TV screen.” He’s most excited to work with Sean Cheesman and says his positive attitude and optimism are important assets for his dance career.
- “My dance style has something for everyone. I think guys are going to like the rough and athletic movements in my solos, where the girls might like the emotion I put into my dance. I think it’s important that when you’re dancing to put aside your negative thoughts and just concentrate on exactly what you’re doing in the moment.”
Francis Lafrenière, 28, St. Bruno, Que.
- Francis Lafrenière is no stranger to competition – he’s been competing internationally as a ballroom dancer for years. “I like the challenge of a competition,” he says. In addition to his dancing, Francis is also passionate about teaching ballroom dance. He has his own school with his girlfriend and dance partner and says, “It’s important for me to give back to the dance community.
- “I would like to show Canada that ballroom dancers can do a lot of different styles and I’m not nervous about dancing as a couple because it’s what I’ve always done. I do Latin ballroom and also standard ballroom but out of all ten dances, my favourites are tango, cha cha and the rumba. I love the rumba because it’s slow and deep and full of emotion.”
Izaak Smith, 19, Prince George, B.C.
- This hip hop dancer says he is often told his dancing has a very contemporary feel. He says he’s most excited to learn and perform hip hop on the show: “The number of hip hop choreographers was limited in Prince George, so I’m so excited to really explore different ways of dancing.” Izaak defines himself as a ‘gamer’ and can’t wait to broaden his dance experiences in Toronto.
- “Winning would be dope! Everything is just so wild, this whole experience. I’m so excited about what’s going to happen next — what I’m going to see next, or what I’m going to get to do. I’ve always known what dance has meant to me, but being around all these talented dancers is just going to push me so much further.”
Jesse Catibog, 29, Toronto, Ont.
- With the nickname Jazzy Jester, Jesse Catibog loves to have fun when he’s dancing. Characterizing his movement as “b-boying with some jazz thrown on in,” this Torontonian has taught breaking and hip hop all over the city. He’s most excited about learning all the new dance styles on the show and adding his own flavour to the choreography.
- “I really want to be able to show Canada a little street b-boy who is not traditionally trained. I have a lot of flavour and style to bring to this competition. Whenever I see a new move, I always want to figure out how I can make it mine. I don’t have just one favourite move, but prefer to use everything in my arsenal. I like movement as opposed to moves.”
Joey Matt, 19, Calgary, Alta.
- This Calgary-native believes his strong technical background will give him an edge in the competition. “I feel like I have a good mixture of intricate independent movement and really technical jumps,” he says. He’s most excited to show Canada his versatility and says he’s ready to adapt to different styles. “I’ve got some attitude and I’m ready to bring it,” he smiles.
- “I want to make it to the end so I can experience all the dance forms – hip hop, krump, ballroom, contemporary — I want to do it all! Winning the competition would change my life entirely. I’d be so inspired to try so many new dance styles. After the show, I’m thinking I’d really like to start a company and share my contemporary dance style with others.”
Kaitlyn Fitzgerald, 18, Toronto, Ont.
- Contemporary dancer Kaitlyn Fitzgerald is thrilled to be a part of the first season of SYTYCDC and hopes that she can inspire other dancers who, like her, have traditional dance studio training. She says she’s a quick learner with a strong technical background, which supports her contemporary performances. She loves turning most of all and says her first ballet teacher inspired her to dance from her heart.
- “I really feel like I bring something different to the table. A lot of dancers have had a lot of professional experience, but I’m just out of the studio-competition world. I have a lot of raw talent so choreographers will really be able to shape me and get what they want for their movement.”
Kevin Mylrea, 22, Westbank, B.C.
- West Coast dancer Kevin Mylrea believes his fluidity and grace sets him apart from his competitors. “And my maturity,” he adds. His work as an improviser has given him a broad range of tools and skills for his contemporary movement and he believes his teachers have given him confidence: “They’ve really taught me to let go and release and just feel the movement.
- “I know how to shade my movement and think I can really bring a lot of maturity to the floor. Sometimes a soft arm is so much more effective on stage than a big leg kick. I’ve devoted so much of myself to dance over the years and have worked so hard. It doesn’t stop now. I will continue to work just as hard.”
Lara Smythe, 25, Toronto, Ont.
- Having taken some time away from the dance world to study chiropractics, Lara is excited to get back into dancing full-time and work with Canadian choreographers. Trained in jazz, ballet and acro with a bit of modern, this contemporary dancer can’t wait to get back on stage and says she’s up for any challenge, especially finding her “inner-cool” for hip hop.
- “I’m really just a person from everyday life, re-engaging with a passion. I’m most excited to show that I can do it all — I went to school and I’m still part of the dance world. I want to show Canada that you don’t have to give anything up, that you can go to school and keep dancing and really invest in all of it.”
Lisa Auguste, 27, Toronto, Ont.
- Contemporary dancer Lisa Auguste believes her strongest asset is her versatility. “I see myself as a chameleon — able to morph into different styles.” She adds that she’s a quick study and says she can’t wait to bring her dynamic personality to the stage. Though she is nervous about the dynamics of partnering, she trusts her extensive dance training and confidence to pull her through any sticky situations.
- “I want to learn and dance and be on stage! I’m really excited to show Canada that there is a path for dancers. You don’t need to stop after you finish high school or university. If you want it badly enough, you can create your own opportunities and make dancing your reality.”
Miles Faber, 21, Toronto, Ont.
- Not only is Miles Faber a popper, he also does Boogaloo and b-boying and believes that these distinct dance forms will set him apart from the rest of the dancers. He says he’s going to have to work especially hard to pick up the choreography, but believes he’s up for the challenge. He’s excited to show Canada the roots of popping and the Boogaloo.
- “I’m just so excited to perform in front of the biggest audience I’ve ever danced in front of and even though it’s also what I’m more nervous about, I can’t wait to show my family and friends what I live for. What I want to showcase is the true forms of popping, the original movements — the Original Walk Out and the Twist-o-Flex.”
Natalli Reznik, 28, Toronto, Ont.
- This Israeli-born, Toronto-based dancer doesn’t define herself by one particular style, but says she does “a little bit of everything.” Her strengths as a dancer, she says, are her energy and presence on stage. “I really know how to dance for an audience,” she adds. In addition to her dancing, Natalli has also been involved in the fashion world and loves showing off her personality through her clothing: “I’m very creative and visual when it comes to costuming.
- “I live very much in the moment and know I am really going to put my heart into this competition. I hope Canada chooses me to be their favourite dancer. I’m used to dancing in front of large crowds, but I’m nervous about dancing in front of my friends and family.”
Nico Archambault, 23, Montreal, Que.
- This Montreal-based dancer says he wants to stay for the whole ride: “All the dancing, the performing, the choreographers, everything. I’m here to learn and become a better dancer. I’m really here to work.” He believes his blend of hip hop and contemporary sets him apart from the other competitors and credits his strong interpretation skills in his success as a dancer. He lived in Paris for two years and says that after the competition, he would love to return to Europe to dance and travel.
- “I’m really excited to meet all the choreographers. Ballroom is a mysterious world for me and I’m going to have a lot of learning to do. I’m excited about it because it makes me nervous — it’s a good challenge.”
Romina D’Ugo, 22, Toronto, Ont.
- As the only salsa dancer in the competition, Romina D’Ugo is excited to show Canada her hot and spicy moves. She says it’ll be difficult to be away from her supportive family and friends, but is excited by the challenge. She can’t wait to delve even further into contemporary and says she can’t wait to try the tango and the rumba: “They’re just so passionate!
- “I’m most excited to think about how much I’ll be able to grow both personally and professionally over the course of the competition. Even just during Finals Week, I came a long way on both. I’m a very hard worker and I’m very passionate and think with my drive and my stamina. I’m totally up for it.”
Tamina Pollack-Paris, 19, Toronto, Ont.
- This Toronto-based hip hopper is not just a dancer, but also a student of Business Management at Ryerson University. On the show, Tamina can’t wait to perform her solos and show the audience what she loves to do. She’s also excited to try ballroom: “I’m excited to find that flair,” she says and adds that she’s grateful to choreographers and teachers who have helped her along the way.
- “I’m excited to represent the hip hop community in So You Think You Can Dance Canada. I think I have a lot of sass in my dancing and I always bring my personality to everything I do. I’m so honoured to represent Canada and have the chance to put Canada on the map.”
Vincent Noiseux, 22, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.
- Vincent Noiseux fuses hip hop with contemporary and believes his versatility has played a key role in his success as a dancer. He defines himself as an observer and says, “When someone teaches, I really try to see every detail.” A self-professed passionate dancer, he strives to communicate through his movement and though he is both nervous and excited, he can’t wait for the weekly challenges of trying new genres and styles.
- “I dance because it makes me happy and I’m so fortunate that I can do what I love. I’m so excited that I’ll be able to dance with a whole bunch of people who have a similar love for dance. They’re all so talented and want to give so much of themselves to dancing, it’s inspiring.”
Canada’s first Top 20 meet the judges again next week as they perform in front of the nation on Wednesday Oct. 8th at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
They’re a strong bunch of dancers. Who is going to stay and who is heading home? It’s up to you, Canada!
