Hip hop dancers from Remix Dance, based out of Rockland, have a lot to be proud of after a successful showcase at this year’s Dance World Cup national competition.
The event was held earlier this summer (June 30 to July 5) in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec. Remix Dance was represented by seven teams and received two first place finishes, four second place selections and one third place finish.
“It’s amazing to see our teams and dancers rock it out and achieve success at these events,” said Bonnie West, the founder, owner and operator of Remix Dance, which specializes in hip hop dance. “Watching these youngsters dive into dance and thrive is just awesome. Their energy, dedication, and talent really shine through, and it’s a blast to see them do so well.”
Clara Plourde, 14, with Remix Dance’s West Crew and Mercy group, started hip hop dance when she was 11. She said while she was nervous being part of the national competition, she was happy to be able to showcase her dance skills and make her dance school proud.
“I tried not to expect too much to avoid being disappointed, but I had hoped to place at least once and ended up placing twice so I was really happy,” she said. “It felt really great to be among the incredible teams and being recognized for our hard work.”
West’s son, Austin, was part of Remix Dance’s Next Generation team that went to Mont Tremblant. He grew up being surrounded by a passion for dance and wanted to give hip hop a try.
“I felt super happy and proud of myself,” he exclaimed. “Winning second place felt really awesome.”
Remix Dance offers classes for all ages, both recreational and competitive with a focus is on providing top-notch hip-hop instruction for everyone, from kids to adults.
“Remix Dance is my creation, and it was inspired by my lifelong love for dance,” said the dance school’s founder. “Ever since I was a child, I’ve been choreographing dances with my friends and putting on shows for my family and community. Dance has always been my true passion, and starting Remix felt like a natural step for me. It’s a way for me to share my love of dance, creativity, and the joy surrounding it all with the community.”
West said that Remix Dance’s results at the Dance World Cup proves that the dancers hard work has paid off.
“This is an outstanding result for our community,” she added. “This community is now recognized on the national stage as a premiere dance locale, thanks to the Remix Dancers. Our teams have worked hard and it is so exciting to see the talent and pride our community can take in our youth. These teams are made up of dynamic young women and men from throughout our local communities. They incorporate a high degree of precision Hip Hop with speed, energy and strength, into a choreographed dance routine that infuses the audience. They are something to see.”
