UNITY — After almost a year following the announcement of Kiera Schumack being selected for the Team Canada acrobatic dance team, another Unity dancer has been chosen to compete on the national junior hip hop team at the IDO World Hip Hop & Popping Championships in Poland later this year.
Mikaela Hennings, daughter of Gary and Arisa, first took to the dance floor at the age of two and a half with Dance Revolution and has since continued her training under STAND OUT Dance Collective (SODC). Throughout her 11 years of dancing, Hennings has performed in a wide variety of dance styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, acro, contemporary, pointe, lyrical and, for the last eight years, hip hop. The young teen said she had always enjoyed watching the other dancers perform the energetic dance style, along with the music, and that it had been one of her favourites since she was younger.
In March 2024, Hennings was selected to perform in Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet at the Vic Juba Community Theatre in Lloydminster, Alta., along with many dance competitions each season, dance camps and intensive summer and fall workshops. SODC owner and instructor Courtney Smith said Hennings is a natural performer.
“Every time she hits the stage, she has such an incredible energy about her dancing that draws everyone into her performance. Mikaela has worked extremely hard to get where she is today,” said Smith.
Hennings’ mom said the young dancer started training really hard before auditioning for the team.
“She had to do six different dance routines within a 48-hour time frame. We all thought she wouldn’t get in this year, as she was super tired afterwards. But two weeks later, I got confirmation that she was selected for Team Canada. In that moment, I sat down and cried. No words, just happy tears,” said mom Arisa. Hennings’ parents said they are extremely proud of their 13-year-old daughter.
“We are super excited for her; she has worked hard for this. She has trained for the last six months just to get ready for auditions. We have watched how dance has given her more confidence, a chance to step up and get out of her comfort zone and level up her skills. To represent the country is already the top of the world for her, showing how a small-town girl from the farm can have a big dream. And she’s going to get it, it's not just for her, but for our small community as well,” added Arisa.
It wasn’t just Hennings’ biological family that was excited to hear the news; so was her dance family.
“I was very excited when I heard Mikaela was selected for the team. It is not easy to get on Team Canada, so it’s a huge accomplishment for her. I think it's amazing that the Team Canada coaches see the same potential in her that we do, and they feel she has what it takes to represent Canada on the world stage,” said Smith.
To get her ready for the international competition, the team at SODC is already on board to help where they can.
“I got so lucky to have such an amazing team here at SODC with kind and amazing dance teachers and friends encouraging me too. I also have Miss Cori and Miss Emma who are both helping me with all hip hop techniques and unique choreography that helped me get onto Team Canada,” said Hennings.
With extra classes, training and more dedication than imagined, Hennings will start training with the national team in Vancouver, B.C., on June 26, with monthly rehearsals until October, before setting off for Poland.
“I’m excited to meet my teammates, coaches and partner for the duo performance. I am also excited to make a new memory that will last forever,” said the teen.
The Hennings family and SODC are planning to fundraise and look for sponsors to help with some of the costs of frequent travelling to Vancouver rehearsals and the trip to Poland for both the teen and her mom.
“We are going to wrap up the dance season first before we start planning fundraisers. I know we will do a bottle drive for sure. I have a few sponsors already as well,” said the Grade 8 student.
While Hennings remains faithful to SODC for her dance training, Smith said it is beneficial for students to learn from as many professionals in the dance industry as possible.
“Mikaela has learned from exceptional instructors at SODC and our staff always have more knowledge to give. Learning from national coaches will be an amazing experience for Mikaela, giving her an even deeper education in hip hop,” Smith added.
Hennings will be one of 65 dancers from across Canada on Team Canada at the IDO World Hip Hop & Popping Championships. Smith said she believes having two of her students sends a message to others that SODC provides high-quality training to its students in all genres.
“We encourage all of our students to pursue dance opportunities beyond the studio as well, while always knowing they have SODC behind them for support.”
