Drummond teenage dancer set to return to national competition

Thirteen year-old Emma Nelson Ludzack is not afraid of competing against dancers much older than her. After all, she’s beaten them before.

The Drummond dancer overcame a wardrobe malfunction to take first place in multiple dance categories at the 2023 Dance Vision National Championship, where she competed against teenagers and adults alike.

Now Emma‘s preparing to do it all again, but needs to raise money to be able to go to the competition in Orlando this November. So the young dancer and her mom, Stephany Arndt, are putting on a meat raffle starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Tracks Inn in Barnes.

This time around, she plans to compete in more extravagant costuming and makeup than ever before. Ludzack is already nervous, but feels more prepared to take on opponents of all ages.

The smallest details matter. Judges will be not only scrutinizing her every move on the dance floor, but also her emotions and personality.

“I have to make sure every step is correct. If one is not, [my instructor] makes me stop and correct it. I have to make sure my posture is good—head placement, arms, everything has to be perfect,” she said.

Her dance instructor, Benjamin Welch, has enjoyed working with Emma at North Shore Ballroom in Duluth over the past several months.

“Emma is one of the most fun dancers I have worked with, her ability to bring everyone in and create emotional reactions in her audience is exceptional,” Welch said.

Dancing is not all that’s on Emma’s itinerary while in Orlando. The two plan to return to Universal Orlando and check out The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Inspired by the film, Emma plans to incorporate some magic into one of her dances by using wands, hopefully including ones that shoot fire.

“I haven’t gotten them yet, but we’ll see,” she said, excitedly.

Emma discovered her calling for dancing by emulating her mom’s dance steps, and she’s been dancing ever sense. While other kids are playing video games, she has been busy pursuing her passion and has aspirations of becoming a professional dancer one day.

As a mom, Arndt was anxious about how her daughter would do at first, but her worries quickly subsided and enjoys cheering her on.

“I love watching her dance so much. My coworkers talk about her dancing all the time. It’s so special to see her compete. I cry a lot watching her,” she said.