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Local dancers gearing up for prestigious competition

Posted at 11:31 PM, Nov 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-23 23:31:35-05

It's a small ballet program in Harford County but it hopes to make big waves at an exclusive competition in Philadelphia in January.  

Rage Box Contemporary Dance Studio is sending 13 lucky ladies to attend the largest student-based ballet competition in the world. 

Many dancers are discovered there and 13 young women from our area are set to go toe-to-toe with some of the best dancers from all over.

"I like having the opportunity because you get to see what you want to be like.  I want to be a professional dancer when I grow up," dancer Abigail Cardella, told ABC2.

For Cardella, going to next year's Youth America Grand Prix with her team, could be a step in that direction

"That are discovered will be offered contracts with professional companies, some get scholarships or acceptance to universities to international training programs for dance," said instructor, Kathryn Jacques.

Jacques oversees the ballet program for Rage Box.

"The goal of the competition is to find the best ballet dancers," she said.

But it's not all about recognition for this team.

"Getting to dance for an audience,  I think that's really fun because you can make the audience feel something," Cardella said.

A feeling only the arts can bring out.

The young ladies are working hard before January but hard work is not lost on them; many have been dancing most of their lives.

I do Hip-Hop, I do Jazz, I do Contemporary I do musical theater and I do Pointe as well," said dancer, Madison Kelly. 

She too wants to make a career in this art because of what it brings to an audience.

"I hink it really moves them and it can put them in their emotions like when a dancer goes out there and gives it their all."

Jacques herself has danced for 30 years and has big hopes for her girls.

"A lot of them really aren't going for a trophy or recognition they're going to improve they're going to see these dancers that are astounding."

In the hopes one day they too may be astounding to the crowds they'll wow on a much bigger stage

Rage box is one of only five schools in the state to head to the competition and the only one from Harford County.