After pandemic disappointment, young P.E.I. dancer gets second chance

Kai Wheeler was devastated when the COVID-19 pandemic spoiled her alternative to attend a prestigious dance college in Ontario two years in the past, however has made essentially the most of her second likelihood.

“I did audition earlier than COVID at Quinte and had supposed on going and had made it in, however then COVID occurred and sort of ruined the plan,” stated Wheeler.

“It was actually devastating. I used to be, like, tremendous excited and like so pumped, after which my desires had been crushed.”

However with provincial borders opened up Wheeler auditioned for Quinte Ballet College’s summer season program once more, and as soon as extra received a spot.

Wheeler has a way of what she is in for, having beforehand attended a summer season program on the Nationwide Ballet College.

“It is only a new expertise. Each dance trainer teaches in another way,” she stated.

“It is simply actually good to have new experiences and meet new individuals from all around the globe.”

‘Ballet is the muse’

Whereas her nationwide expertise is in ballet, Wheeler does quite a lot of dance kinds: jazz, acro, lyrical, up to date, hip hop.

“Ballet is the muse of each dance,” she stated.

“Ballet method is like an important as a result of it is in each model.”

Wheeler dances nearly day by day at Down East Dance Academy in her hometown of Montague. She additionally teaches acro model to a bunch of nine- to 12-year-olds, in addition to musical theatre to five- to eight-year-old children at Havenwood in Charlottetown.

Wheeler started dancing when she was seven as a result of a pal advised it as a strategy to spend extra time collectively.

‘My coronary heart is having fireworks’

She is now at an age the place most of the dancers she began with are dropping out, transferring on to different pursuits.

However she would not see ever leaving dancing behind.

“At any time when I step on stage it simply appears like my coronary heart is having fireworks,” stated Wheeler.

“I often search for my mother, and I give her slightly cheeky smile. I begin dancing and I am within the zone and it is identical to, adrenaline. It is so superior. I simply love dancing a lot.”