Warman Dancer Showcased on NBC's World of Dance, Season 4

Warman dancer, 15 year old Dayton Paradis, will showcase his talent on one of the world’s biggest stages, NBC’s competition show World of Dance, Season 4. His Hip Hop trio, Itty Bitty Crew, is one of 34 acts from around the globe competing for the grand prize of $1 million and the title of best dancers in the world. The judging panel consists of show executive producer Jennifer Lopez along with Derek Hough and Ne-Yo, with Scott Evans set to host the series.

Photo by Jen Talloden Photography

Dayton began dancing in 2013 at Kristy’s Dance Fusion in Saskatoon. He is still primarily based out of this studio and is grateful for the instruction and support he has received from studio head and instructor Kristy Neumeier Sotnikow. Two years ago Dayton auditioned for Edmonton dance studio Eye Candy Company and made Itty Bitty Crew, a team of about 25 youth which earned second place in the 2018 World of Dance Competition in Las Vegas. This is where he first met his trio-mates, 13 year old Alberta twins Ayden and Ethan Valdriz. Last year Dayton competed in the 2019 World of Dance competition in Phoenix with two Eye Candy Company teams, winning first place with Mini Candy Crew and third place with Itty Bitty Crew. It was a wild ride and big commitment for Dayton and his family who made trips every second weekend to Edmonton for rehearsals, which increased to every weekend as it got closer to competition time.

(L to R) Ayden, Ethan and Dayton

The time and dedication put in was worth it when Dayton was chosen to be part of the Itty Bitty Crew trio by Eye Candy Company studio director and choreographer Vince Akinyode. “It was a shock to me that I was asked to dance with Ayden and Ethan because I see them as amazingly talented, so it was really awesome to be able to dance with them,” Dayton says. The trio went on to participate in the World of Dance Season 4 audition process. “When we got the call that we were going to be on the show, it was so exciting! To think I would be dancing on the same stage as previous contestants who went on to become famous, and who I look up to, was pretty crazy!”

Dayton describes his experience while the show was filming earlier this year as a busy and somewhat stressful process, but fun and exciting. He and his family had to keep the experience under wraps until earlier this month. “Until May 6th we weren’t allowed to talk about it at all, so I was basically lying to all my friends about why I was away and what I was doing, so it was fun to be able to finally tell them! But I still have to stay under restrictions being that it is pre-recorded. I can’t spoil anything or explain how we did or how anyone else did,” Dayton explains. “I know roughly what will happen on the show, but I don’t know when anything is happening or how they will showcase it, so it’s a big surprise for me, too.”

Photo by Jen Talloden Photography

Dayton’s parents, Charlene and Garry Paradis, are proud of his hard work and determination. “Watching Dayton, not only audition for something like this, but then to be able to perform on this particular huge stage was more than we could have ever imagined for him,” says Charlene. “As parents, we always want to find something our kids can look forward to and be passionate about in life, and we feel lucky that Dayton has found his 'thing' in dance. We experienced something during this process that many will never have the opportunity to have, and we are grateful for all the love and support from friends and family, as well as both Kristy’s Dance Fusion and Eye Candy Studios.”

Dayton’s future plans involve being a regular competition dancer, and maybe teaching a bit, until he is finished high school. “After that I hope to do something with dance. I’m not completely sure yet. Maybe audition for a crew in somewhere like Vancouver first and then go to bigger-based competitions in LA.” Right now he is content to focus on his dance routines that he learns each year and compete in local competitions in Saskatchewan and Alberta. “I do really enjoy that,” he says.

Be sure to set your PVR or tune in to cheer on our very own Dayton Paradis in The Itty Bitty Crew trio on World of Dance! The super-talented trio set themselves apart with stripes of colour in their hair. You’ll be able to pick out Dayton as his will be green. The twins, Ayden and Ethan, will sport red and blue, respectively. The season 4 premiere airs Tuesday, May 26 on NBC at 8 p.m. Don’t miss it!

Follow the Itty Bitty Crew on Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/itty.bittycrew/

Photo by Jen Talloden Photography