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Lacombe dance troupe off to perform on the Grand Ole Opry stage

A troupe from the Lacombe-based Dancer's Edge Studios is jetting off to 'Music City' to take part in Dance the Magic! Nashville.

The main performance during the event (July 26 to 30) takes place on the legendary Grand Old Opry stage.

"We really like to travel - we try to go each year or every two years, and sometimes, we go with this program called Dance the Magic! We've done Disney parades and events like that with them as well," explained Heather Buelow, the studio's owner.

"They (eventually) opened up the Nashville event, and we were supposed to go during COVID but it didn't happen. So we started planning for it again about one year ago.

The young dancers, along with their families, Buelow, and another instructor from Dancer's Edge, fly out July 26 and will spend five amazing days in the city, she said.

Buelow, who owns Dancer's Edge Studio in Lacombe and Blackfalds, describes Dance the Magic! as a company that provides memorable opportunities for studios around the world to join together for a range of performances and other learning opportunities.

Meanwhile, everyone is thrilled to be heading to Nashville and also being put up in the sumptuous Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Centre.

"I can't even describe the excitement the dancers have now that we are so close to going!"

Other highlights include a backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry plus a trek to Blake Shelton's bar where the kids and their families will have line-dancing lessons.

"The next day, we go to this really beautiful studio and the kids will have a workshop with professional dancers from Nashville."

For the main performance, the troupe will do an opening number choreographed by Dance the Magic! They will also be doing a jazz piece and a lyrical number which was written by Alberta singer Tenille Townes.

"This trip seems extra-special I think because we were so excited to do it before, and then it was taken away from us. We said we would do it again one day, and then we were able to announce that this year we would be going to Nashville!"

Buelow said the dancers have worked hard to raise money for the trip through various fundraisers as well.

"It's been a lot leading up to it," she said.

"So when they get on that stage, I will be bawling when I'm watching them because it's 'full circle'. That sense of pride you have in them is just amazing."

Buelow said that part of the reason behind the studio's commitment to providing these experiences is to show the young dancers what's out there.

"There's a big world out there. So it's about introducing them to different professionals or getting them dancing on different stages. I feel like since we've been having the travel troupes, the students are 'dreaming bigger'."

As mentioned, past destinations have included Disneyland, Disney World, New York City, and various cruises.

The adventures are typically among the dancers' most cherished memories from their years with Dancer's Edge.

"When the kids graduate and we interview them and ask them about their favourite memories, they will often say, 'dancing on the cruise ship', or 'dancing on Disney's main street'. 

"So we have seen how important it has been to offer travel."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Mark Weber

About the Author: Mark Weber

I've been a part of the Black Press Media family for about a dozen years now, with stints at the Red Deer Express, the Stettler Independent, and now the Lacombe Express.
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