Local dancers to perform at Disneyland in Paris

CENTRE WELLINGTON – Working hard on the third floor of the Elora Centre for the Arts building, dancers from the Fergus-Elora Academy of Dance are busy preparing for a special performance at Disneyland in Paris, France. 

Dancers Jada Keane, Thea Bachuk,  Dani Bakhsh, Alysha Smith,  Lucie Moore and Maija Moore are set to perform in the 2026 Dance The World Paris event hosted by WorldStrides. 

The group will be part of two performances, the main parade performance inside the park and a rooftop performance at Musée Du Quai Branly overlooking the Eiffel Tower. 

“I’m just really excited, and it’s a really big opportunity that we get to have, and I just feel really lucky that we get this experience that a lot of people wouldn’t get,” said Keane.

“It’s just an amazing experience to have,” added Bachuk. “I love travelling, so getting to go to new places and do my favorite thing, dance, is just amazing.”

The group consists of four senior dancers and two intermediate dancers, and while the senior dancers have been dancing together for many years, it is the first time the two age groups have mingled for a performance. 

Both performances will feature dancers from all over the world, all dancing to the same learned choreography, which was provided to dancers via video. Each performance has different choreography with different music and costumes.

Teaching the group the choreography for the trip is student-turned-instructor Catie Johnston, affectionately referred to as Miss Catie.

“I’ve come to work with them since January and it’s great to see not only the four seniors working together like they usually do during class, but watching them take the younger two under their wings and make sure that they’re caught up,” said Johnston.

“They’ve been working so hard and working together to make sure that it looks absolutely stunning, because again we’re going to a whole other country to perform.”

Asked if there are any nerves about performing in front of such large crowd, senior and junior dancers alike agreed they are more excited than anything.

This year also marks the studio’s 20th anniversary, making the trip to France feel even more special.

“It’s kind of fitting to do this on the anniversary of our 20 years,” said owner and artistic director Erica Finlayson-Marak.

The girls will be in Paris from July 16 to 20 performing and exploring the various parks as each dancer is provided with park tickets, transportation and accommodations.