Reposted from montrealgazette.com
A hip-hop dance workshop created and organized by young West Island resident Alexa Nozetz, who was only 11 when she dreamed up the idea, has raised $2,000 for The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation.
Alexa said she created Hip-Hop 4 Hope, as the event is known, because "I know there are so many kids who would love to have the opportunity to take dance lessons, but can't, for lots of different reasons."
For a donation of at least $10, anyone 7 and older was eligible to participate in the workshop, held May 19 at Riverdale High School in Pierrefonds. Alexa turned 12 five days before the event.
Hip-hop instructors, including members of Blueprint Cru, secondplace winners during Season 5 of Randy Jackson's America's Best Dance Crew, and the 8 Count Team, first-place winners of the hip-hop competition World of Dance 2010, were on hand.
Alexa is an avid dancer at the 8 Count Dance Complex in Dollard des Ormeaux and a member of its junior varsity dance team, Toy Soldiers. The complex is home to both teams, and also to contemporary dancer Janick Arseneau, one of the two top female dancers on last season's So You Think You Can Dance Canada.
When Alexa approached studio owner Steve Bolton, who represents the two teams, he agreed to donate the dancers' time to teach the workshop. The photographer who took the photo of Alexa, shown here with Arseneau, as well as other photos at the workshop, is Rubie Tenorio: she donated her services that day.
Alexa and her proud parents say they intend for the event to become an annual one. 
