Essex MP sends local dancer off to world competition with well wishes

by Sylene Argent

Last Friday afternoon, Essex MP Tracey Ramsey presented Jamieson MacNeil, of Cottam, with a certificate of acknowledgement as he will represent the region on Team Canada Dance in jazz and ballet during the World Dance Championships. The international competition will take place in Poland between November 29-December 4. He will compete in the children 11-and-under division.

  Ramsey wished MacNeil luck before he left for the competition. She said she knows MacNeil will make Canada, and the region, proud. Three Canadian teams will head to the international competition. MacNeil is part of the “Eastern” team.

  Earlier this summer, MacNeil was invited to audition for the team.

  MacNeil, who has been dancing since before he could even walk, qualified in four types of dance for the international competition, but he will compete as part of the jazz and ballet teams. Both of these styles of dance will be judged at the same time in Poland. He will also be able to perform a solo during the competition.

  His mom, Annajayne, is a teacher All That Jazz Dance Company in Chatham, where MacNeil trains.

  Since August, MacNeil has headed up to Hamilton to participate in training for the international competition. This training is in addition to the MacNeil’s already rigorous dance schedule.

Ramsey also provided MacNeil with a Canadian Flag and some pins he can take with him to hand out to other competitors from around the world.

As the commitment to the team is a big financial undertaking, a GoFundMe page has been setup to help raise funds. To donate, log onto https://www.gofundme.com/get-jamieson-to-the-world039s. MacNeil’s family is hoping to raise $8000 to cover the cost of the trip to the World Dance Championships and travel expenses for the many team practices held in the Hamilton area. There is no government assistance for Team Canada Dance.