Lindsay dancer headed to world stage in Prague with Team Canada Tap Team

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: A local teen is dancing her way onto the world stage.

Rylan Larabee, a 13-year-old competitive dancer from Lindsay, has been selected to join Team Canada’s Junior tap team, set to compete at the World Tap Dance Championships in Prague, Czechia, this October.

A student at Central Senior Public School, Rylan has trained for years at Dancing Angels Academy, where she’s become known for her tireless work ethic and team spirit. This February, she took a bold step and auditioned for Team Canada, an elite group of dancers, who represent the country in international competitions.

“I was so nervous at the audition,” Rylan said. “but I just told myself to give it everything I had.”

She did just that. After months of waiting, she received an email officially welcoming her to the team.

“I couldn’t believe it. I screamed when I saw the email,” Rylan recalled. “It didn’t feel real.”

Rylan has had an impressive season already, dancing in four group numbers, a duet, and a solo. She and her teammates brought home multiple Judges’ Choice awards and placed high in overalls. At Dancing Angels Academy’s year-end recital, she was awarded Most Improved Tap, the peer-selected Dancer to Dancer Award, and the coveted Dancer of the Year honour.

“Rylan truly lives in the studio,” said her mom, Amanda. “She’s not just passionate about dancing, she’s passionate about growing, improving, and lifting others up along the way.”

Over the summer, Rylan is dedicating long days to learning a new junior tap formation and production piece, with her Team Canada teammates, preparing to perform on a global stage.

To help offset the cost of the trip, Rylan’s family is organizing a fundraiser, including a Name That Tune night, set for Saturday, August 9th, at Donauschwaben Park. Rylan will also be making the rounds in the community, visiting local businesses to introduce herself and seek support, in the form of raffle prizes or sponsorships.

“Representing Canada is a dream come true, but we can’t do it without our community,” Amanda said. “Any bit of support makes a big difference.”

For Rylan, it’s not just about dancing, it’s about growth, friendship, and pride in representing her country.

“It means everything, to wear the maple leaf and show the world what we can do,” she said. If you’d like to support Rylan’s journey to Prague or learn more about her fundraiser, contact the Larabee family or the Dancing Angels Academy.