International Youth Dance Competition

Frida Hogendorp and Jiya Baikloy on Life as an IYDC Ambassador

When 12-year-old Singapore dancer Frida Hogendorp received the letter telling her she had been selected as the 2026 International Youth Dance Competition Ambassador, she was on her way to a new secondary school, having only recently graduated from primary school. Already standing at the beginning of one new chapter, another had unexpectedly opened.

“It was a very special and emotional day for me. I was overjoyed and honestly couldn’t believe it when I found out I had been selected,” Frida recalls. “I felt truly honoured and grateful for the opportunity.”

For Frida, the appointment represented more than recognition of her dancing. “It also gave me a sense of hope and made me feel that I was stepping into a new beginning and a new journey. I’m excited to challenge myself, grow as a dancer and, most importantly, connect with and learn from dancers from different parts of the world.”

Introduced to dancetrain readers in our July issue, IYDC has built its international competition model around education, cultural exchange and personal development alongside performance. The Ambassador Program takes that philosophy a step further, giving one young dancer the opportunity to move beyond being a competitor and experience the responsibilities of representing and contributing to an international dance community.

The pathway begins through IYDC’s Elite Showcase, with eligible dancers invited to apply for the Ambassador Program before progressing through a portfolio submission and interview. Dance ability forms part of the assessment, but it does not determine the appointment alone. Communication, leadership, maturity, attitude and the way a dancer interacts with others are also considered. IYDC describes the Ambassador as a role model, spokesperson and representative, with qualities including humility, kindness, integrity, resilience and professionalism central to the selection process.

“The dancer selected is not necessarily the dancer with the strongest technique or artistry,” IYDC explains. “We are looking for someone who can articulate themselves confidently, interact comfortably with different people and demonstrate maturity, initiative and a genuine willingness to serve the IYDC community.”

Frida first came to the attention of IYDC’s international panel at the 2025 Bangkok event, where she performed a Chinese Dance solo in the Cultural Dance category, before progressing to the Elite Showcase. IYDC says her performances demonstrated technical foundation, artistry, musical sensitivity and versatility, but it was also her desire to contribute to the wider dance community that led her to apply for the Ambassador role.

For Frida, that broader purpose was precisely what appealed to her. “To me, IYDC is more than just a competition. It is a place where dancers can grow, challenge themselves, learn from each other and connect with dancers from around the world in a positive and encouraging environment.”

As Ambassador, she hopes to encourage younger dancers to believe in themselves and enjoy their journey regardless of prizes or results. “I think what matters most is having the courage to challenge ourselves, keep learning and continue growing as a dancer.”

Even the selection process became part of that development. Frida admits she was nervous about the interview, but found the experience pushed her beyond her comfort zone and encouraged her to express herself with greater confidence.

“Looking back, I’m grateful for the opportunity because it helped me realise that being an Ambassador is not only about representing IYDC, but also about inspiring and supporting other dancers.”

If Frida is at the beginning of that journey, 2025 Ambassador Jiya Baikloy can now reflect on what the experience looks like from the other side. Jiya, an 11-year-old dancer from Thailand, spent her year experiencing IYDC not simply as a competitor, but as a young representative moving between dancers, teachers and communities.

For Jiya, one of the defining moments came in Chengdu, where she had the opportunity to assist in classes and work with younger dancers.

“Getting to teach the little kids and assist in the classes was such an amazing and new experience for me,” Jiya says. “It was so much fun seeing everyone sharing smiles and dancing together, even though we came from different places. It made me realise that being an Ambassador is simply about bringing people together and making good memories.”

The experience also changed the way Jiya viewed herself as a dancer and as a young person.

“Before I became an Ambassador, I was just a regular student who only focused on getting my dance steps right in the studio. But this role taught me that performing is way more than that. It’s about having fun and connecting with the people watching.”

Travelling, assisting classes and taking on responsibilities outside the familiar studio environment gave Jiya a confidence she had not necessarily recognised in herself. “It also showed me that I’m much more capable than I thought. Knowing that I can travel the world and teach little kids has really changed how I look at myself. It taught me to truly believe in who I am.”

It also showed her that technique alone could only take a dancer so far.

“Dance technique is important because it gets you onto the stage, but this year taught me that your inner qualities are what keep you standing,” she says.

That became particularly apparent when Jiya found herself helping younger dancers. “When I was assisting the classes in Chengdu, I realised that kindness matters just as much as a dance skill.
Technique helps you perform the choreography, but your character is what truly turns a room full of competitors into a supportive community.”

For Frida, resilience is one of those defining qualities.

“Dance can be challenging, and sometimes we make mistakes or things don’t go the way we hoped. It’s important to learn from those moments, keep going and not give up.”

She also sees courage as an important part of resilience. “Sometimes we feel nervous or afraid of making mistakes, but that’s how we learn and improve. Staying positive, believing in yourself and having the strength to keep trying can help us grow. I believe every challenge helps us become a better dancer and a stronger person.”

The international nature of the Ambassador role gives those lessons an entirely different setting. During 2026, Frida’s Ambassador journey extends across IYDC events in Chengdu, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney and Bangkok, with Sydney taking place at The Concourse, Chatswood, from 1 to 3 October.

For Jiya, meeting dancers from around the world became one of the most rewarding aspects of her year.

“I absolutely loved meeting dancers from around the world. It really influenced me as a person because it showed me that even though we grow up in completely different places, we actually have so much in common,” she says. “It was so cool that we didn’t even need to speak the same language to understand each other and have fun together.”

For her, IYDC’s philosophy of “Uniting the World through Dance” became something she experienced rather than simply represented.

“Dance is a universal language. Our backgrounds don’t really matter. All it is, is just having fun, cheering for each other, and making good friends from many countries.”

Frida has already discovered something similar.

“I’ve learnt that even though we come from different countries and cultures, we all share the same love for dance. It’s really special to meet dancers from different places, learn from each other and make new friends through dance.”

“To me, ‘Uniting the World through Dance’ means bringing people together through something we all love. We may speak different languages, but when we dance, we can understand and connect with each other without words.”

Throughout her year, Frida will represent IYDC at selected international events, with the role extending well beyond performing. Ambassadors may assist at workshops, participate in official functions and community initiatives, undertake interviews and media activities and act as positive role models for younger dancers. IYDC describes it as a year long commitment requiring both leadership and service, rather than simply an honorary title.

There is a particularly important role to play around younger participants. IYDC hopes its Ambassador will be someone they feel comfortable approaching, almost like an older brother or sister within the competition community. It requires the young Ambassador to notice what is happening around them and understand that leadership does not always need to be visible.

“Sometimes leadership simply means noticing that somebody needs help and quietly stepping forward to help them,” IYDC explains.

For Jiya, a year of experiences has ultimately changed something even more fundamental, her understanding of competition and success.

“Being an Ambassador really changed how I look at competitions. I used to think success was only about winning first place and getting trophies. But this year showed me that the best part of dancing is actually the amazing memories you make, the friends you meet, and how much you grow as a person.”

Her advice to Frida as she experiences the year ahead is equally uncomplicated.

“Just have fun and enjoy. Don’t worry about being perfect on stage. Just stay true to who you are, smile, and use your platform to help other dancers shine.”

Frida, meanwhile, is looking forward to the friendships and experiences still ahead of her. “I’m really looking forward to meeting and connecting with dancers from different countries, learning from them and sharing our love for dance. I hope to make many new friends and create special memories along the way.”

Her advice to another young dancer considering the Ambassador pathway reveals much about what she has already taken from the experience.

“Just give it a try and apply. Don’t worry too much about the outcome. Whether you are selected or not, the experience itself is a chance to learn, grow and become more confident. Sometimes, you just have to be brave enough to take the first step.”

Frida and Jiya are at different points of the same experience, one looking forward to what the year may bring, the other able to reflect on what it has already given her. Between them is a reminder that some of dance’s most important achievements cannot be measured by a score.

They can be found in the confidence to speak, the resilience to keep trying, the kindness to notice another dancer who needs support and the courage to walk into an unfamiliar room and connect.

The steps may begin in the studio, but what young dancers learn from them can travel much further.