Keira Schumack, above, and Gracie Acaster. (submitted/Ashley Schumack, shot by Tonya Wanner | submitted/Jocelyn Acaster)

By Kenneth Cheung

LOCAL TALENT

Acro and hip hop: Small-town Sask. dancers to represent Canada at ‘Olympics of Dance’

Jul 11, 2025 | 2:05 PM

Two young dancers from small communities near the Battlefords are preparing to show the world what prairie talent can do.

15-year-old Keira Schumack from Unity and 10-year-old Gracie Acaster from Ruddell have both earned spots on Team Canada Dance and will be competing at the International Dance Organization (IDO) World Championships later this year.

The global event, often called the “Olympics of Dance,” brings together thousands of dancers from six continents — but only three medals are awarded in each division.

Schumack, who trains with Stand Out Dance Collective in Unity, will head to Italy in November to compete in the acrobatic dance category, a style she’s been perfecting for more than a decade.

“I’m really excited, but it’s also kind of a nerve wracking experience… because you’re in front of a big audience with a bigger thing on,” she said.

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“When you’re doing acro, it takes a lot of encouragement…It’s more of a mind game than anything else. You just have to be able to believe in yourself and put in the work to be able to do that.”

She said her natural flexibility drew her to the discipline when she was young.

“I just fell in love with it. It was so cool to me how you could do so many tricks and impress people with your moves… I love it a lot.”

Acaster, who trains with Dance Connection in North Battleford, will perform hip hop in Slovenia in October — her first time leaving Canada.

“I think it’s an amazing experience,” she said. “It’s pretty cool that we get to meet people from across Canada… I feel very nervous, but it’s so exciting at the same time.”

She started dancing at three and took up hip hop at age four. When asked why she loves it so much, she said, “It’s more exciting and powerful and stronger.”

On stage, “I’m not really thinking of anything — it just happens and I go with the flow.”

Gracie Acaster (submitted/Jocelyn Acaster)

Acaster was one of dozens of young dancers who gathered in Vancouver from June 29 to July 1 for her first days of training, where she met her teammates and choreographers. She and her mom plan to return for a second rehearsal on July 11.

Both dancers earned their spots on Team Canada through video auditions. Their families and communities have been rallying around them with local fundraisers and sponsorships to help cover travel costs.

“We are all so proud of her. She has put in the work day after day, year after year, and you know, her hard work is paying off,” said Schumack’s mom, Ashley.

Acaster’s mom, Jocelyn, said the support has been incredible.

“We’re very proud of her… to be picked to be the top elite of Western Canada is quite an accomplishment,” she said. “The community and family have been rooting for her for years. They all feel she’s very deserving of this honour.”

For both dancers, the hard work and travel are worth it.

“Where you are right now doesn’t mean you’re always going to be there… You can succeed in life and be what you want to be if you keep working for it,” said Schumack.

Added Acaster: “Trust the process and everything and go follow your dream.”

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com