Winning BIG at the One Dance Experience!

Written by Saman Dara in the Aldergrove Star - March 24, 2026

Young Aldergrove dancers have been taking in a winning moment that took months of hard work and sweat to reach.

Tonya Wejr, owner of Aldergrove-based Kick It Up A Notch Academy of Dance, said the studio won The One Showdown in Burnaby in early March.

The title is awarded at the close of The One Dance Experience, where judges select standout group routines for an encore performance based on entertainment value, performance quality, and stage presence.

“It actually took a minute or two for it to register. It was a pretty significant moment,” Wejr said.

“As it sank in, I looked around at all the kids, and you could see the shock and disbelief, followed by tears. This was their moment,” she recalled.

Wejr said the dancers were holding onto each other until they realized they had to claim their trophy.

“I think the sweetest moment for me was realizing that no one was going up to grab the trophy as they were just holding on to one another,” said Wejr.

“The emcee finally said ‘it’s okay girls, come get your trophy.’ They were so focused on each other and all they had done to get to this point.”

For the dance academy, the win means that hard work does eventually lead to achievement.

“Success is not handed to you. It’s earned,” Wejr said, adding that balance is just as important as discipline. “We bring the joy and fun to the studio for certain occasions and celebrate hard work by letting loose, once in a while.”

In preparation, the dancers train for 10 months each year, with choreography starting in the fall and intensifying as competitions approach.

“Overall, the consensus from everyone [coaches and parents] was the kids took a big jump in improvement from the last season.”

Wejr hopes the momentum will continue, as the dance academy heads into a competition in Kelowna and prepares for spring ballet exams and year-end productions.

“Aside from awards, the real win is seeing all of our dancers grow beyond measure this year. No award will be needed to celebrate them.”