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Dance ‘is about expressing joy’ for Langley’s Albert Saguil

Mountain student took top spot in Vancouver Teen Fest talent competition
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Albert Saguil earned the top spot in the recent Vancouver Teen Fest Talent Show, with a freestyle dance routine.

A young Langley dancer popped and locked his way to the top of the podium at the recent Vancouver Teen Fest Talent Show.

Albert Saguil a 16-year-old, Grade 11 student in R.E. Mountain’s International Baccalaureate program, earned first place and a $250 prize after competing in the festival at David Lam Park on June 6.

Normally, when Albert performs, he dances a choreographed routine, but this time out he opted to freestyle.

“I just made it up as I went,” he said.

“I felt good about it — to dance in front of a bunch of people and find out I won doing something I didn’t practice.”

Albert was one of only two dancers in a field of competitors that was made up largely of singers.

Mostly self-taught, the teenager began taking dance lessons at the beginning of this school year.

He’d previously competed at Cloverdale Teen Fest — where he was a finalist — and in Abbotsford, where he placed second.

But for the Langley teen, who hopes to one day become either a physiotherapist or chiropractor, dance isn’t really about prizes or recognition.

“I like to dance. I like to make people happy,” he said.

“It’s about expression. (Through dance) I express happiness and joy.”