So You Think You Can Dance Canada Top 20 becomes 22

From a media release:

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA Flips with a Twist, Expanding to Top 22 for Season 3 on CTV

• For the first time, 22 dancers take to the stage for Canada?s votes during the Performance Episode Monday, August 23 at 9 p.m. ET
• First Eliminations on Tuesday, August 24 at 8:30 p.m. ET on CTV
• Top 22 guide available in Metro newspapers across the country tomorrow
• Exclusive Top 22 interviews air on ETALK and are available online at CTV.ca tomorrow
• The Top 22 reveal episode re-airs Saturday, August 28 on MuchMusic

Following a cross-country audition tour that stopped in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, the talent was too great, and for the first time in SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA history, the judges selected 11 girls and 11 guys from across the country, expanding the Top 20 to a Top 22. The dancers represent the country coast to coast from Vancouver, B.C., to Inverness, NS, and for the first time, there are competitors from Saskatchewan and New Brunswick. Specializing in everything from contemporary to hip-hop, ballroom, ballet and salsa, the Top 22 were announced during tonight?s special one-hour reveal episode, and will take to the stage for the first time tomorrow, Monday, August 23 at 9 p.m. ET on CTV visit ctv.ca to confirm local broadcast times).

Rounding out the Top 22 are four competitors from British Columbia, four from Alberta, nine from Ontario, two from Quebec, one from Nova Scotia. They will now be paired into 11 couples and will work with some of the world?s top choreographers learning a new dance routine and style each week. The fate of the 22 finalists is left up to viewer votes, which start tomorrow night (August 23) and continue for the next nine weeks. Voting will occur following the conclusion of the performance shows and is restricted to one, two-hour voting window in each region of broadcast, and can be cast for free via landline telephones (detailed voting information can be found at dance.CTV.ca).

On the first live results show, Tuesday, August 24 at 8:30 p.m. ET, the three couples with the fewest number of votes will be announced. Each dancer in those three couples will then have one last chance to impress the judges and ?dance for their life? with a solo routine of his or her choosing. After all six dancers have performed, the judges will make the ultimate decision of who stays and who goes home.

Viewers can also learn more about the competitors before they take to the stage for the first Performance show with an exclusive SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA Top 22 guide appearing in Metro newspapers across the country. The special insert is available for free in Metro newspapers in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto, Halifax and Montreal tomorrow, Monday, August 23, to coincide with the first performance episode (see ?About the Top 20,? below).

About the Top 22

Ranging in age from 19 to 27, the Top 22 dancers vying for the coveted title of Canada?s Favourite Dancer are (in alphabetical order):

AMANDA Cleghorn (19) is a Contemporary dancer from Mississauga, ON. Also practiced in jazz, acro, ballet, pointe, tap, hip-hop, musical theatre and modern, Amanda has competed in over 15 dance competitions across North America. Amanda took her first dance steps at age four, and made an appearance in the motion picture Honey as well as Camp Rock 2.

BREE Wasylenko (22) is a Contemporary dancer from Toronto, ON. Having already worked with a number of notable choreographers, Bree is looking forward to expanding her experiences on the show. Also trained in jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop and lyrical, Bree loves photography.

CHARLENE Hart (24) is a Contemporary Jazz dancer from Abbotsford, BC. Charlene?s formal training has taken her to studios in both Los Angeles and New York City, where she?s trained in ballet, pointe, lyrical, musical theatre, modern, hip-hop and salsa, among others. Charlene cites her mother, a former dancer, as the one who ignited her passion for dance.

CLAUDIA Primeau (26) is a Ballroom dancer from Montreal, QC. A Canadian ballroom champion since the age of 16, Claudia has performed in countries all over the world including Russia, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, France, Italy, Czech Republic and Australia.

DANIELLE Gardner (21) is a Contemporary dancer from Surrey, BC. After seeing her older sister dance when she was a toddler, Danielle began training and has danced almost every day of her life since. Also experienced in ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, tap, and musical theatre, Danielle has formally trained at six different studios across British Columbia.

DENYS Drozdyuk (25) is a Ballroom dancer from Toronto, ON. Born in the Ukraine, Denys first started dancing ballroom at the age of four. After moving to Toronto when he was 12, he then travelled to Berlin at 14, and at age 19 ended up at Juilliard in New York City. A three-time winner of world championship titles in ballroom, Denys has danced all over the world, including Russia, Austria, Singapore, and Italy.

EDGAR Gilbert-Reyes (22) is a Hip-Hop dancer from Calgary, AB. Also trained in contemporary, jazz, ballet, tap, breaking, locking, popping, and house, Edgar?s mother got him involved in dance because of his relentless energy. Edgar has worked with Gil Duldulao, and performed on tour with Canadian JUNO Award-winning singer Keisha Chant?.

HANI Abaza (26) is a Modern Contemporary dancer from Ottawa, ON. This Kuwaiti-born contemporary dancer did not start dancing until he was 18, but is also trained in hip-hop, jazz, and ballet. Hani has had the opportunity to work with Wade Robson, and has performed with Canadian folk singer, Feist and international artist Adele.

JANICK Arseneau (20) is a Contemporary dancer from Bathurst, NB. Janick began dancing at the age of two, and has also had training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, and hip-hop. When she was 18, Janick moved to Montreal to continue training, but given the location of her hometown, it is no surprise that Janick?s favourite food is lobster.

JEFF Mortensen (22) is a Contemporary dancer from Edmonton, AB. After enrolling in a variety of sports, gymnastics became his mainstay until Jeff?s aunt got him hooked on Ukrainian dance. Jeff has performed in China as well as the circus/dance company Cirque du Soleil, where he was one of the main character?s in the Beatles LOVE show.

JERA Wolfe (19) is a Ballet dancer and Breaker from Inverness, NS. Although people tend to be surprised by Jera?s unlikely combination of ballet and breaking, he?s also experienced in contemporary, modern and character. Jera?s training has lead to opportunities at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Banff Centre for the Arts and the National Ballet of Canada, and has his mom to thank for kick-starting his dance career.

JESSE Weafer (25) is a Contemporary dancer from Aurora, ON. Jesse has performed with Wade Robson, Chris Angel, Michael Bubl? and Adam Shankman, and credits his studio training for shaping him into the dancer he is today. Having recently danced in Las Vegas, Jesse says he is excited to work with some Canadian choreographers.

JONATHAN Arsenault (26) is a Contemporary dancer from Kitchener, ON. Jonathan has already had the opportunity to worked with Wade Robson, and has performed in Louisiana, New York City and Las Vegas. Also trained in hip-hop, this skilled handyman also loves to travel.

JULIA Harnett (26) is a Latin Ballroom dancer from Calgary, AB. Julia started dancing at the age of four, and is also trained in ballet, jazz, highland, musical theatre and modern, and has performed in Japan and throughout the United States. When not in the ballroom, Julia enjoys cooking, travelling, photography and gardening.

KIRSTEN Wicklund (20) is a Contemporary Ballet dancer from Vancouver, BC. Trained primarily in ballet, Kirsten also has experience in contemporary, modern, jazz and lyrical through training at the Goh Ballet Academy, Banff Centre for Performing Arts and NYCDA. Ready for any style the show might throw at her, Kirsten loves doing yoga in her free time.

KLO Schultz (20) is a Lyrical-Jazz dancer from North Bay, ON. Also trained in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, theatre, and tap, Klo?s competitive background has allowed her to perform across Canada and the United States. Also into sports, Klo? plays soccer and has competed at OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations) in hurdles and relay.

MACKENZIE Green (20) is a Contemporary dancer from Regina, SK. Trained at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Banff Dance Centre, Mackenzie began dancing around the house at the age of two. Mackenzie feels that moving to Vancouver to train in contemporary has shaped him into the dancer he is today. He has performed in the United States, France and Poland.

NATHALIE Heath (23) is a Contemporary dancer from Surrey, BC. Nathalie started dancing at the age of four, and in addition to contemporary, is also trained in jazz, ballet, modern, musical theatre, street jazz and hip-hop. Nathalie has worked on a number of professional projects, including a role as the dance double for Hilary Duff in The Lizzie McGuire Movie and was one of the lead dancers in Michael Bubl?s ?Haven?t Met You Yet? music video.

SEBASTIAN Mersch (21) is a Contemporary dancer from Toronto, ON. Sebastian began dancing at eight, but took a break to try his hand at sports until the age of 13. Since he got back into dancing, Sebastian has trained with various choreographers including Desmond Richardson, David Parsons and Crystal Pite. A fan of all things unique, Sebastian would have loved to dance with Bob Fosse.

SHAVAR Blackwood (25) is a Hip-Hop dancer from Toronto, ON. After dancing for only four years, Shavar is also trained in krump, popping and house in addition to hip-hop. This self-proclaimed nerd likes to pass the time playing video games.

SHELAINA Anderson (19) is a Contemporary dancer from Edmonton, AB. Shelaina started dancing because of her mother and is trained in jazz, lyrical, tap, ballet, pointe, modern, theatre, ballroom and hip-hop in addition to contemporary. Shelaina has worked with Brian Friedman and has travelled across North America participating in dance conventions.

YONNI Fournier (27) is a Salsa dancer from Montreal, QC. Originally from Cuba, Yonni started dancing at the age of seven. Although his background is in salsa, Yonni has also spent time training in hip-hop, ballroom and contemporary. Yonni has worked with many well-known choreographers throughout Montreal and is looking forward to trying different styles on the show.

For anyone who missed tonight’s Top 22 reveal episode, an encore will air on MuchMusic Saturday, August 28 beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET, and will be followed by the first Performance and Results episodes. Encores of the weekly Performance and Results move to their regular timeslot of Saturdays at 5 p.m. ET beginning September 4 on MuchMusic (visit muchmusic.com to confirm local broadcast times).

ETALK goes behind-the-scenes with the Top 22 at their first photo shoot, bringing viewers exclusive interviews with this season’s competitors Monday, August 23 at 7 p.m. ET on CTV. Fans can also watch interviews with the Top 22 and read about them at dance.ctv.ca.

Learn more about the Top 22 at dance.CTV.ca, the official online portal for SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA. The website gets fans up close and personal with their favourite dancers, judges and choreographers through exclusive photo galleries and blogs, while also providing news, episode recaps, a music guide, quizzes, forums and more. The site will also feature numerous contests throughout the season. Highlights from the weekly SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA episodes, including performances, and behind-the-scenes interviews will be available on demand on the CTV Video Player at CTV.ca.

Viewers can also follow SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA on the show’s official Twitter account for exclusive giveaways and insider information at twitter.com/SYTYCDCanada, and can become a fan of the show on Facebook at facebook.com/SYTYCDCanada.