On Sept. 19, 2026, the Underdog Dance Corp. presented its second ever Waterloo Heels Championship, a competition created to encourage new dancers onto the stage.
The Underdog Dance Corp. is a local dance studio, Waterloo’s first for adult beginners getting into the world of dance. The studio is passionate about inclusivity and supporting new dancers as they come into their own confidence. The competition was hosted at Maxwell’s Concerts & Events from 11:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
“We are a positive space for someone to express themself; it provides a place for all of us to get together. It’s also just allowing adults to move, create social connections and work towards something,” Emily Peat, owner of the Underdog Dance Corp., said.
The event welcomed three renowned heels dancers to judge the competitors: Jonna Abrams, from Toronto; Abady Alzahrani, from Halifax; and Shaping Sarah, coming all the way from Montreal. After the competition wrapped up, the judges ran workshops at the Underdog Dance Studio during the Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
For the uninitiated, heels dancing is a commercial dance style that emphasises confidence and stage presence. Dancers wear high-heeled shoes, often stilettos, combining elements from a variety of different dance styles.
The competition was structured into solo, duo and team performances, with Chen Chai, Madison Sharer, Sarah Primavera and Vyshnavi Rajeevan performing amateur solos; River Young and Lilly Compeau presenting pro-level solos; and Brenda Lee Burke and Jacob Stahlbaum performing a duo routine.
During the second half of the competition, dance studios Heelogy, Heeling Dance and the Underdog Dance Corp. performed amateur team routines. The competition concluded with Heeling Dance and Vibes Dance with their Pro-Am (professional-amateur) team performances, which is a format for instructors performing alongside their students.
“It means the whole world to me when I watch them. Today, I’m seeing some of our dancers that I know danced for the first time ever when they walked into the studio,” Peat said.
The competition featured a variety of performances. Routines spanned from fun, campy Broadway pop, such as the stellar dance number presented by Compeau, to sensual heels group routines from the Underdog. Rajeevan stood out with her solo, performing a slower, lyrical routine in a sheer and sparkly indigo dress.
“The biggest thing that I see is, for the dancers who competed this year and last year, I see a huge improvement,” Peat continued.
The audience was full of upbeat energy, with every team supporting one another and cheering on each performance. Through each dance, supportive hoots and hollers could be heard over the music, inspiring confidence in many of the dancers.
“The energy is definitely amazing; everyone is so supportive here,” Rajeevan said, reflecting on the audience’s pep during her princess-y performance.
“I went into it with a very positive mindset. I trained with Lilly [Compeau], who also performed, and she prepared me to just have fun out there, do my best,” Rajeevan said.
“Underdog always just brings a good energy, so I’m always happy to be there. I don’t ever feel like there’s something to be scared of when I’m dancing, and that’s what dance should be about,” Rajeevan said.
Lauren Keating, founder of Heeling Dance, seconded this, reflecting on the community she could see growing in the space.
“It’s funny, I think when we talk about dance, we think about the steps or the technique behind it, but for me it’s really the environment, the studio space, and the connections you’re making with people,” Keating said.
“Everyone’s rooting for one another and just working to be the best versions of themselves, and I think that’s special. Dance is the activity we’re doing, but it’s everything around it that is so powerful for me.”
She also noted the importance of having activities and spaces like this for adults.
“With adults, it’s extra special, because you get to watch the journey of them coming out of their shell,” Keating said.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to host an event like this, I’m grateful for the support from the community, and I’m really grateful for the dancers for trusting us,” Peat said.
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