Family
St. Augustine Teen Selected to Represent Team USA at Dance World Cup Finals
The Perla Ballet dancer and St. Augustine High freshman is preparing for a 12-day trip to Lisbon to compete on the world stage.
By Colleen Jones
For some girls, dancing is a hobby they might pick up in grade school, perhaps taking up ballet, tap or contemporary dance. But for those whose real talent emerges, encouraging them to stay with it and train harder, it becomes a goal. And if they're good -- really good -- those dreams just may come true.
Eliana Emmons is one of those young ladies. The 15-year-old freshman at St. Augustine High School recently learned she was selected to represent Team USA in the Dance World Cup Finals being held in July 2027 in Lisbon, Portugal.
It was no small feat. Annually, over 120,000 children and young adults audition for the global competition, a kind of Olympics for dance, with only around 10,000 elite dancers qualifying.
Eliana, a member of The Perla Ballet company in St. Augustine, has been dancing since she was 4. She's a ballerina at her core, but enjoys jazz, contemporary, tap and hip-hop as well. She's currently also part of her high school's Pom dance team and other activities, all while being enrolled in the rigorous Cambridge-based academic program.
On her love of dance, Eliana says: "I really get to express myself and I get to do what I love ... and I can just live in it and be in it."
Her mom, Stephanie is thrilled. "I could not be prouder of her dedication, hard work, and passion for dance. Representing our country on a world stage is an incredible milestone."
To participate, however, Eliana must raise personal funds to pay for the 12-day trip, including travel, lodging, team gear, and competition fees.
Eliana will soon begin her choreography for her Team USA solo piece before joining fellow dancers for group choreography work in Charlotte, N.C., later this fall.
"What keeps me going is just the motivation to be the best version of myself and keep reaching my goals in dance," says Eliana.
As far as the future, Eliana aspires to be a cruise ship performer and also to teach dance to young people. Knowing the Dance World Cup Finals is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her daughter, Stephanie says, "The support of our community to come alongside our family can make this dream a reality. Generosity is a decision and I'm so very thankful for those who do choose to support Eliana."
To contribute, visit www.isenbergent.com, select “Team USA” and add Eliana’s name, or use: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/QLXTLT6LN5QB4.