Higgins Middle School eighth-grader Maya Meroli, who has been dancing since she was 2 years old, will be representing the United States this week as part of the USA Jazz Dance Team. Her team will compete in the World Jazz Championships, also known as the “Olympics of Dance.”
Maya has travelled to De Panne, Belgium, where the competition will take place, and she will be competing against dancers from approximately 30 other countries. She noted that she’s been to international competitions before, but that was for tap, not jazz.
“I do like (jazz) a lot better than tap. (Tap’s) not really my strong suit. I’m more of a ballet, jazz, and contemporary dancer,” Maya explained.
She said she’s eagerly awaiting her trip to Plopsaland Belgium, a theme park Maya will go to with her team once the competition ends, but she’s mostly looking forward to “getting up early with my whole team and getting ready and going on the early bus rides.”
“I’m really excited,” Maya said. “It’s an honor to do this because you don’t walk by someone who represents your country every day. I feel very special.”
In addition to competing in a small group dance and large group dance alongside the other dancers on her junior group team, Maya has been selected to compete in the solo category. She will be dancing to a French song by Édith Piaf against almost 50 other soloists from around the world.
Maya mentioned that there were plenty of long training days and 20-hour dance weekends to prepare for the World Jazz Championships.
“There’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears that goes into it, but it’s all worth it,” Maya said.
The “Olympics of Dance” will take place from Wednesday through Saturday.
