A troupe of 42 dancers from Gozo can now call themselves “Disney performers” after having been picked by Disneyland Paris to perform at the park during its 25th anniversary celebrations.

The young dancers, aged between 11 and 26, put on a show combining different styles on the Videopolis stage, one of the park’s main arenas. It was the culmination of two months of rigorous training.

“It was definitely an unforgettable experience for the dancers and surely a dream come true for the whole troupe,” said Natalie Sciortino, director of Centre Stage Dance Academy, moments after stepping off the stage on Friday.

It was definitely unforgettable and surely a dream come true

“To perform on a Disney stage is undoubtedly an honour for the dance school.”

She said the troupe had to first submit a video audition. This was judged by Disney representatives, who every year choose different groups from all over Europe to perform at the theme park.

The troupe was informed in May that their audition had secured them a spot and that they would be included in the Disney Performing Arts OnStage Programme’s summer schedule. This year, the park is marking its 25th anniversary, and the Gozitan troupe’s show was part of the celebrations.

“We performed a variety of styles combining modern jazz, Bollywood and lyrical. There was no specific theme, rather the choreographer focused on using popular songs, a variety of dance styles and mesmerising costumes to reach the audience,” the director of the Victoria school told this newspaper.

This is not the first time that the academy has showcased their talent abroad, having been chosen to perform twice in London at the Royal Albert Hall.