Two young dancers from Warman will carry Canada’s colours at the 2027 Dance World Cup in Lisbon, Portugal next summer.
Twelve-year-old Nadia Buyan, who trains at Rise Dance Company in Saskatoon; and 14-year-old Charley Searcy, who trains at Dancer’s Edge, were recently selected to be part of the Team Canada contingent at the annual international competition.
This marks Nadia Buyan’s second consecutive year as a member of Team Canada, and her first opportunity to compete as a soloist on the world stage. During her first appearance at the 2026 Dance World Cup in Dublin, Ireland, she and her jazz team brought home a bronze medal. This season, she has been selected for jazz, contemporary and lyrical groups, as well as a duet and a solo. The opportunity to compete as a soloist on the world stage is a significant milestone in Nadia’s dance journey, offering her the chance to showcase her individual talent among dancers from around the world.
Fellow Warman dancer Charley Searcy, 14, has earned her firstTeam Canada selection. She will compete in the senior jazz and contemporary groups, marking an exciting milestone that reflects her hard work, dedication and commitment to pursuing her goals in competitive dance.
The Dance World Cup is the second-largest dance event in the world after the Olympics,
according to World Performers Canada, bringing together more than 10,000 dancers from over 60 countries each year. The 2026 World Finals took place in Dublin, Ireland, welcoming dancers from across the globe, while the 2027 finals will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, from June 29 to July 9.
“Dance has always been my true passion,” said Nadia. “I started dancing at two and a half, inspired by my big sister, who was also a dancer. I love expressing myself through dance and always finding new ways to challenge myself and grow. Representing Canada at the Dance World Cup for a second year is so exciting. After an amazing experience in Ireland, I can’t wait to travel to Portugal, learn from new choreographers and make more memories. I’m grateful to everyone who supports me, and I hope to make my family, studio and Warman proud!”
“I have been in love with dance since I started at the age of three,” said Charley. “It is my one true passion. Recently, I have been training extra hard so I could pursue my dream of reaching the higher levels of competitive dance. I am so excited and honoured to have been selected by World Performers to represent Canada, as one of the few dancers from Saskatchewan, on an international stage at the Dance World Cup. My goal is to train hard, have fun, enjoy this part of my journey and hopefully make everyone proud!”
Since August, both girls have been travelling to Edmonton monthly to learn choreography alongside other selected dancers from Saskatchewan and Alberta as they prepare for the Dance World Cup.
The team-building and selection process also continues through opportunities such as the 1820 conventions, which took place in Saskatoon and Edmonton in October. At these conventions, World Cup scouts select dancers for automatic placement on Team Canada, creating another exciting pathway for young Canadian dancers to earn the opportunity to represent their country internationally.
World Performers Canada provides Canadian dancers with opportunities to represent their country internationally through competition, training and educational experiences with dancers and choreographers from around the world.
For both dancers, this opportunity comes with significant expenses for training, competition fees, travel and accommodations. Nadia and Charley are actively fundraising to help make their international dance dreams possible, and they welcome support from their local community.
Local businesses and community sponsors are invited to support Nadia and Charley as they prepare to represent Canada on the world stage. Sponsorship opportunities are available, offering businesses the chance to invest in local youth, celebrate their achievements and help
make this international opportunity possible. Community members and businesses interested in supporting either dancer can connect with their families to learn more about individual fundraising initiatives and sponsorship opportunities.
Anyone looking to support these dancers may contact Erin Buyan at erinicolegrace@outlook.com.