You danced. They danced (17 photos)

Sixteen lucky local young dancers were given the opportunity to take part in the Algoma Fall Festival and share the stage with some of the best and brightest from the National Ballet of Canada.

During Saturday afternoon's YOUdance performance at the Kiwanis Community Theatre Centre, the group showcased The Way Up, an original collaborative piece created over eight one-hour rehearsal sessions.

Participating local dancers were:

Stepahnie Aelick Allie Barnes Danielle Bowen Jemmifer Campbell Melody Doiron Lily Elgie Sarah Hemy Caitlin Ingram Annika Lane Maggie van Lith Chelsey Marie Amy Myran Brooke Palmer Courtney Palmer Spring Tremblay Katy Wildman

YOUdance, an educational outreach program presented by the National Ballet, hosts sessions throughout Ontario on a regular basis.

The program presented at the Algoma Fall Festival two years ago was the first time YOUdance travelled outside of the Greater Toronto Area.

Artistic Director, Lindsay Fischer, told SooToday.com he hopes to take YOUdance to smaller communities across Canada.

"After the Algoma Fall Festival invited us to take part, we were able to show the Trillium Foundation that there is a model where we can get outside Toronto without spending an arm and a leg," Fischer told us.

"YOUdance exists to show that culture is not a luxury," he explained. "Culture and art are necessities. It's about self-expression and recognition of your experience in other people's lives. It's about people wanting to be part of the community and share some emotions and ideas. This is why arts organization exist and do it in as many communities for as many people as possible."

Although our aspiring Saultites took part in only one of the nine routines presented Saturday afternoon - the other eight performed by apprentices of the National Ballet - it was undoubtedly a huge thrill for them all.

The Agoma Fall Festival continues with performances by Michael Kaeshammer and Kellylee Evans on October 14, The Barra MacNeils on October 21 and The Art of Time Ensemble with Gregory Hoskins on October 27.

For the complete festival roster and ticket information, please visit www.algomafallfestival.com