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The Canadian Champion, Friday, April 13, 2007 - Bl ortunity in the Big Apple Teen dancer to train withfamned Radio City Rochettes GRAHAM PAINE / CANADIAN CHAMPION GOTTA DANCE: Brianna Fitzsmmons eagerly awaits the opporsunity to hone her dance skills thîs surmmer in New York City. By Stephanie Thiessen CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF If only she were shree inches taller. It's someshing local dancer Brianna Fitzsimmons, 15, who measures a mere five-foot-three, can only wish for - although she hasn't given up hope she mighs have a bit more growing left so, do. "We've gos our fingers crossed," said ber mother, Wendy. Several months ago, Brianna saw the world-famous, Radio City Rockestes perform for the first ime as sheir Christmas show in Toronto. Now there was something she could see herself doing, she shoughs. Bus in order to, even audition for the precision dance troupe, women must be hetween five-foot-six and five-foos-l0-and-a-half teo mainsain a consistent look - which means shas, unless nature inservenes, Brianna's out of Iuck no master how talented a dancer she is. 1 could neyer be a Rockette unîess I ges taller," Brianna said. But shes nos gessing too hung up on that lacs. Especially consid- ering ber ttpcom ng opporturnty to train witih die Rockettes, known for their style, grace and hrilhiant smiles as well as their seemingly mile-long legs. On July 23, Brianna and her mom xviii travel to, New York City so Brianna can take part in a week- long summer training program saught by the Radio City Rockettes. Alshough nos likely so open the door so hecoming a Rockette, Brianna said the expenience will provide invaluable t.raining, nos so, mention look impressive on her resume. At the end of the week, she'l sake part in a recital as Radio City Music Hall. Brianna found out about the program as the Rockettes' Christmas show and quickly jumped as the chance, sending in a videotaped audition. Out of 600 girls who sried out, Brianna was one of only 72 chosen. And shes planning on making the moss of such a coveted opporsuni- Nos that it'îl be easy "They said 1 should hring Band- Aids and shey'll provide the ice packs," she said, adding, "They're nos kidding." Dancing seven hours a day, shes bound to, find goed use for bosh. Fortunately, the upcoming trip won's be ail work and no play "l've neyer heen to New York before, so I'd really like to see the cisy when 1 have ime off - juss expenience is, really," she said. Brianna has been dancing as Dance Elite since she was five years old, focusing on jazz, balles, sap, musical theatre, acro and modem dance. She has greas hopes of being a choreographer when shes older, and working toward a dance degree in university. Being a compesisive dancer requires staunch commisimens, which isn't a problem, for the teen. "If you wans to be a dancer, you have so be a dancer. You can't have another life," Bnianna explained, adding, "I've picked dance as my life.' Is was her mom who first encouraged her, heing a former dancer herself. Now, Wendys almost as excited as her daughser ahout the upcom- ing opporsunity The last imne she was in New York City, she too was a teenager who'd arrived as tlîe Big Apple so dance her heart out. [he fact her daughser is following in her footsseps filîs her with pnide, she said. Unfortunately, and so ber disap- pomsment, Wendy will hc relegat- Ssee MOTHER on page 8 Formerly Fabutan LOCAUX OWNED AMD OPERATED 437 MAIN ST. e 905-864-0622 tM 1 + Lslu IMUr $54n99 $'29.ÀDa99 W d ,q11 uoe 15% OFF 112 PUlUC rnie tite MT izza Hu ,lz) Mito 90 .784 8e WE 'Re NOTAS COUNTRY AS YOU THJNK! ... COME IN AND SEE OUR HANDC-RAFTED FURNITURE BUILT TO SUIT A-NY DECOR!