N.S. community rallies to celebrate 10-year-old world dance champion

Taking the stage at the Dance World Cup in Dublin was nerve-racking for 10-year-old Elayce Clayton, but it didn’t stop her from putting on a gold-medal performance.

Her hip-hop choreography, titled “A-Game,” earned international praise and won her the Best Solo Dance category at the multi-genre competition.

“I like how it just shows my personality,” Clayton said. “I like grooving but also hitting hard.”

When she returned to Nova Scotia, a crowd of supporters packed the airport to cheer her home. The celebration continued this weekend during the annual North Preston Day Parade, where floats were decorated to honour her victory.

“Feels good, like, seeing all my family and friends and my whole community,” she said. 

Her grandfather, Neville Provo, said her success is already inspiring other local children.

“When she gets on that dance floor, she knows what time it is,” Provo said, adding that the entire family is incredibly proud.

LISTEN | Dance World Cup winner Elayce Clayton:

Elayce Clayton is just back from the Dance World Cup in Dublin where she won gold!

Clayton has been dancing for as long as she can remember.

“A lot of people say that I just started dancing,” she said. “I was like, I was born to dance and, like, I always have been dancing.”

Her uncle, Dwane Provo, called her one of the best dancers he has ever seen and hopes her win shows other kids what is possible.

“With her winning the gold, it’s just a stepping stone to help others to achieve other things,” he said. “You put your mind to it. You can do it.”

MORE TOP STORIES

• New

  ‘It’s really stressful’: Advocates call for more washroom facilities in Halifax

• Tensions mount as Trenton town council limits public input at meetings

• Halifax scraps paper ballots, but other cities say no

• ‘Pride and unity’: North Preston celebrates annual community parade

• Province says Eastern Shore wildfire now being held; residents allowed to return home