Airdronian Hanna Robitaille is living her childhood dream as a senior female dancer with the Young Canadians.
“I watched [the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show] and I was like, ‘I want to do that.’ And then, finally, to be doing it from having a little want as a kid makes me so happy that, now, I'm actually that person on stage,” she said. “Personally, I love being on that stage with 20,000 people watching you and the lights on you. It just makes me happy.”
Since the 1960s, the Young Canadians has been performing at the annual rodeo, according to the Stampede’s website, reaching audiences of more than 150,000 people each year. The group is comprised of 125 youth dancers and singers, including more than a dozen members from Airdrie.
Two years ago, Robitaille said, she auditioned for the group.
“I was at a studio in Airdrie, [doing] competitions and I didn't want to do it anymore. You were competing against your friends and it just wasn't fun,” she said. “I wanted to do something that was a better opportunity for me to go on and do this when I'm older.”
Robitaille said she has enjoyed participating in the group – and although this year’s Stampede just wrapped up, Robitaille said she auditioned July 21 for next year’s Young Canadians squad and is hopeful she will be participating for her third season.
“It was a good break from what we did at the Grandstand and we just got to dance, and I thought it was actually really [good] this year,” she said of the audition.
Once members have been accepted, the Young Canadians begin training immediately. Robitaille said she and the other Airdrie members travel to Calgary four times per week for practice, year-round.
“I'm personally in a carpool with the Airdrie girls. It makes it a bit easier. Luckily, I already knew some of these girls, but it definitely made my relationship with them stronger,” she said.
“I find that this is the best program to gain relationships and to make that bond with people because you're with each other all the time. You're practicing your hardest, you're doing everything you can, and then, you have people to rely on that are there for you. Those people – especially the Airdrie girls, but even the people that aren't from Airdrie – I'll be friends with them forever.”
Joining the Young Canadians has not only helped Robitaille build relationships and make new friends, she said but has taught her a number of other important skills, as well. She added she’s enjoyed learning a variety of dance styles, like ballet and jazz, along with singing lessons.
“I'm so happy, now, and it looks like it's really improved me as a dancer and a person,” she said. “[It’s] such a great experience for me.”
If Robitaille and the other Airdrie dancers make the cut, they’ll be performing at next year’s Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show between July 3 and 12, 2020.
