A local teen is on top of the world after collecting gold at the biggest international dance competition on the planet.
Alyssa Albers of Brussels came out on top in the senior solo acro competition, in her first time ever appearing in the Dance World Cup.
The massive competition drew over 9,500 dancers from 54 countries to Prague, Czech Republic to take part in the 10-day event.
The 18-year-old Albers was one of over 200 dancers representing Canada. She was given an automatic placement on the team after winning a 2023 event, but more offers came her way after the national team audition.
She was offered a solo spot in the acro style competition, as well as a spot on the Contemporary dance team. Albers said she had to pass on the latter as it conflicted with the 2023 Huron County Plowing match, which her family farm was hosting.
Being her first time at the Dance World Cup, Albers said she had no expectations heading into the competition.
"European acro and North American acro are very different and you never really know what everyone is going to bring to the table," she said. "I watched some of my competitors and they were all really good, so I didn't know how it was going to go. I wasn't expecting anything. I was just proud, like it's an accomplishment itself to be able to represent Canada with a solo over there."
What made the performance extra special was getting to collaborate with a long-time mentor on her dance.
Albers has been training at Danceology MWO in Lucknow for over a decade and her teacher Jenna Andrew was the one who choreographed her routine.
"She actually was able to choreograph my solo, she does choreography for Team Canada and I was lucky enough to get her for my solo. So that was pretty special being able to go on the world stage with my actual teachers choreography," said Albers.
The dance was a slower, more lyrical acro piece, set to "I Will Always Love You."
While Andrew and her other teacher Courtney Dunlop didn't make the trek over, they were able to watch as the competitions were streamed online.
Albers wasn't the only Huron County representative that went over, as Wingham's Gabby Yu, who also studies at Danceology, was selected to the team.
"She was on the acro team as well so it was kind of cool that we were able to both go and experience everything," said Albers.
While the trip was a blast, unfortunately, Albers says she won't be able to go back and defend her title as she has aged out of eligibility.
"I've been out of school for a year now. I took a gap year so I came back to dance one last year with my team," she said. "It so happened that I was able to do this in my last year too, so that was kind of like my last hurrah with dance. So it's bittersweet, but I am very thankful for all the years I've had of training with Danceology and my teachers, and being able to have all these experiences is definitely something I'll never forget."
To make that final dance competition even sweeter, Albers said her seven-member Senior group acro team was also able to medal, taking silver in their category.
Albers said so many people played a part in her getting here.
"All my family and my friends, this wouldn't have happened without all of them. All the travelling my parents did for me in dance, and all the hours and money they put into it. My best friends at dance, I don't think I would have been able to do it without them either. Just everyone whose helped me along the way, I think they also play a role in this."