DUBAI // The first troupe to represent the UAE at the United Dance Organisation World Street Dance Championships is ramping up in rehearsals for a debut in Scotland in August.
The team of 17 girls, who go by the name Adrenaline, are the elite of the Gems Wellington Academy and will train during their summer holidays.
Despite having to cut their break short to travel to Glasgow, the group are excited to compete in their first international competition.
“We’re not only representing the school, but the UAE too,” said Talisa Acharya, 15. “Sometimes I think about it and just get this rush of excitement.”
Ashleigh Brits is one of the youngest – and lightest – team members, also known as “flyers” as they make more acrobatic moves.
“Whatever happens, it will be a good learning experience for us,” the 14-year-old said of the four-day trip.
“There will be people from all over the world so we don’t know what we’re up against or what to expect. It will be a tough competition but we’ll do our best.”
The exposure will be vital for the girls, said the team’s coach Emma Tate, who is also head of dance.
“It’ll be tough because it’s their first international competition, but being beginners and getting in on the wild card it’ll be good for them. ”
Head of performing arts at the school, Rebecca Lewis, agreed. “It’ll be good for the girls to see what the competition is like.”
One of the troupe’s original members, Maria Pinto, 15, who has been dancing for 12 years, said everyone is hoping the girls do well on their debut.
“There will be expectation on us,” said Maria, who is one of the most experienced dancers having travelled to Chicago in 2014 as part of a Gems schools international conference and performed for former US president Bill Clinton in Dubai the same year.
Elka Mackinnon, 14, an acrobatic performer among other styles, said: “There will be people with more experience in competition and there’s a lot of pressure.”
“We’ll be working as a team, travelling as a team, so it will be a really good experience for us.”
mswan@thenational.ae
* This story has been amended since it was first published.
