A group of young Southland dancers are preparing to represent New Zealand on the international stage. The team from Blessed Studio is getting ready to compete at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships in Sydney this September.

Creative Director Dominique Vao says the crew, made up of eight dancers, a coach, and a manager, has been working hard in the lead-up to the event.

“Our dancers are aged between 14 and 24,” said Vao. “For some of them, this will be their first time in Australia and even the first time leaving the country.”

The crew qualified for the World Championships earlier this year and have been focused on perfecting their routines. “They are extremely excited and putting in a huge amount of effort. It’s been great to see their energy and commitment,” she said.

While this team is new, Blessed Studio is no stranger to international competition. Last year, a different crew from the studio travelled to Portugal to represent New Zealand at the same event.

Vao says the Sydney competition will feature strong teams from across Asia and Australia, including standout crews from the Philippines and Australia. But she believes the Southland team has what it takes.

“This is the most passionate crew I’ve worked with,” said Vao. “They have the strongest work ethic, and that’s what really counts at this level.”

The 2024 World Hip Hop Dance Championships will take place in Sydney on 27 September. The team will continue refining their moves until then, determined to make their mark on the world stage.

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