Hit The Floor competition brings 17,000 dancers to St-Hyacinthe, Que.

The Hit The Floor dance competition brought 17,000 dancers from around the world to St-Hyacinthe, Que.

The Hit The Floor dance competition is bringing 17,000 dancers from around the world to St-Hyacinthe this week, bringing their best moves to centre stage.

When your number is called, it’s all eyes on you and there’s lots of enthusiastic applause from the crowds watching the solos and group numbers.

Months, and even years, of hard work went into these moments.

“We come and compete in all genres in contemporary, lyrical, hip hop type. Really, a wide variety of styles,” said Melanie Hattem, instructor at L’Académie de danse de Montréal.

The academy won “Hit of the Day” with African choreography.

“It’s important to represent African culture because it’s not every day that we have the chance to see it on the stage,” said dancer Kaylah Edouard-Rene.

Bright lights, cameras and judges scrutinize your every move.

“I’m judging technique, but what I want to see is … what they are feeling, expressing themselves, movements. I really want to see the fire and the passion," said technical judge Fannie Cote.

The Hit the Floor competition is in St-Hyacinthe until April 13. It has been going on for 15 years and includes all levels, says founder Nicolas Begin.

“Some are starting competitions as novice dancers. We also have dancers eight years old and under. We have a group who are coming with an average of 60 years old, too,” Begin said.

“While visiting the event on day two of the four-day competition, CTV News did not, in fact, see those 60-year-olds, yet a rainbow of excellent talent was on stage non-stop.

“The fact that us and our school, we’re able to participate here is really a big deal for us. And we’re really proud,” dancer Solaia Lifrain said.