She Was Told She'd Never Be a Dancer. She Proved Everyone Wrong.

When most people think about dance, they picture tiny kids in tutus, years of training, and the assumption that if you didn't start at four years old, you've probably missed your chance.

After sitting down with Amadea Hallwas Weldon, owner and artistic director of XBa Centre of Dance, I can confidently say that's one of the biggest myths out there.

In fact, Amadea has built an entire dance community around proving the opposite.

One of the moments that really stuck with me came when she shared something that happened when she was just seven years old.

"I was told when I was seven years old that I would never be a dancer because I was built all wrong."

Imagine hearing that at seven.

Thankfully, she didn't believe it.

Instead, she turned that experience into a philosophy that now shapes everything they do at XBa.

"Flexibility is a skill," she told me. "And a skill can be taught."

That simple sentence says a lot about how they approach teaching. They aren't looking for perfect dancers. They're looking for people willing to learn.

More Than Just Dance

One thing I found fascinating was hearing the story behind the name XBa.

Originally called "Extreme Ballet," the studio was founded by Amadea's mother after she was hired to teach ballet to local figure skaters. Rather than sticking with traditional classical music and conventional ballet rules, she started mixing ballet with modern music and challenged long standing ideas about who could perform certain movements.

At the time, ballet techniques were often divided by gender.

Her response?

"Why not?"

Why couldn't girls learn the traditionally male movements? Why couldn't boys learn everything too?

That thinking eventually grew into the studio's unique approach to dance. The performances are energetic, theatrical, and built around storytelling instead of the traditional recital format.

Honestly, it sounds a lot more like attending a live production than sitting through a typical dance recital.

The Underdogs Are Welcome Here

One thing I genuinely admired was how passionate Amadea is about welcoming people who might not fit the traditional dance mould.

Maybe you're 13 and have never danced before.

Maybe you're 40 and always wished you had.

Most studios would place beginners into younger classes or tell them they've started too late.

Not here.

Their philosophy is refreshingly simple.

"If you're willing to work hard, we can teach you."

I love that.

It's easy to say everyone is welcome. It's another thing to build an entire program around making sure they actually feel welcome.

Success Isn't About Talent

One of my favourite parts of our conversation had nothing to do with dance at all.

We started talking about what separates people who improve from those who eventually quit.

Amadea didn't hesitate.

"It's all work ethic."

Then she followed it with what might have been my favourite quote of the interview.

"This is a 50,50 relationship. I can teach you, but you have to do it."

That's true whether you're learning dance, building a business, training for a marathon, or trying something completely new.

Great coaches can guide you.

They just can't do the work for you.

It's Never Too Late

Something else surprised me.

Some of Amadea's favourite students aren't kids.

They're adults.

People in their twenties, forties, even fifties, who finally decided to try something they've wanted to do for years.

Some are fulfilling childhood dreams.

Some simply wanted a creative outlet.

Others were looking for exercise, community, or a place where they could forget about work for an hour.

That takes courage.

Walking into a room where you've never done something before isn't easy.

Which is exactly why XBa puts such an emphasis on creating a safe, welcoming environment where everyone starts together.

No judgment.

No embarrassment.

Just learning.

Dance Is Good for More Than Your Body

As our conversation continued, we found ourselves talking less about dance and more about people.

Amadea described the studio as a place where students can leave the stress of the day at the door.

For ninety minutes, they're simply present.

They're moving.

Creating.

Laughing.

Expressing themselves.

And sometimes that's exactly what someone needs.

She told me one of the greatest feelings is watching a student arrive with a frown and leave smiling.

That's a pretty meaningful impact to have on someone's day.

Over the years, XBa has naturally become what many students describe as their second home. A place where lasting friendships are built, confidence grows, and people feel accepted exactly as they are.

As Amadea put it,

"We make good people, not just good dancers."

I don't think you can ask for much more than that.

If You've Ever Thought About Trying Dance...

Maybe you're looking for an activity for your child.

Maybe you're an adult who's always wondered what it would be like.

Or maybe you've simply been looking for a creative outlet that gets you moving again.

After meeting Amadea, I can honestly say you'll be in good hands.

If you'd like to learn more about XBa Centre of Dance, visit https://www.xba.ca/ or follow them on Instagram at @xbadance. The studio has been serving our community since 2000 and continues to create an environment where dancers of all ages can grow, challenge themselves, and have a whole lot of fun doing it.

Want to Be Featured on The Best of White Rock?

One of my favourite parts of this series is getting to sit down with the incredible people who make White Rock and South Surrey such a special place to live. Every business has a story, and I'd love to help tell yours.

If you're a local business owner, entrepreneur, artist, or community leader who would like to be featured in an upcoming episode, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply here:

🌐 https://www.bestofwhiterock.ca/get-featured

I can't wait to meet more of the amazing people helping make our community what it is.