He thinks he can dance; does Canada?

He thinks he can dance; does Canada?. Denys Drozdyuk of Etobicoke is a contestant on this season's So You Think You Can Dance Canada. (Aug. 30, 2010) Photo/COURTESY

But many are watching, because the Etobicoke resident is now among the top 18 dancers in CTV's third season of So You Think You Can Dance Canada. And he's OK with the large audience.

"Exposure drives me more," he said.

While Ukrainian-born Drozdyuk, 25, has been dancing for many years, training at renowned Juilliard in New York City and Sean Boutilier Academy of Dance in Etobicoke among other schools, it was his family and friends who talked him into trying out for the televised competition, he said.

The ballroom specialist has been judged in two dance disciplines on the show so far: tango and contemporary.

"Tango was pretty tough," he admitted.

Performing on Monday, Aug. 30, he was holding his breath along with his competitors awaiting the voting results that aired Tuesday night, Aug. 31.

"The tense days are Tuesdays," he said prior to learning his fate that evening. But, "I'm feeling pretty good about my chances to go on."

His prediction was right: Drozdyuk is safe to dance again next week. But two other dancers were sent packing.

Since joining the contest, he said he has been put through an intense schedule, working with choreographers and training on his own time.

"The show is quite strenuous and very difficult," he said. "I was surprised how difficult it is physically and mentally."

He said some viewers may not know that by the time the show airs, "on that day we've already been dancing for like 10 hours."

Leisure time is almost non-existent, he said. "I don't get outside a lot; it's dancing, dancing," he explained.

But whether Drozdyuk makes it to the final round is not his concern at this point.

"Already I got everything I wanted to get out of (this experience)," he said. "I believe life is an accumulation of experiences, right now experience is more important than the result."

He said the show has helped hone his ability to learn choreography quickly, perform under pressure, work with a group, and "perform on command".

Drozdyuk is no stranger to winning; he is a three-time winner of world championship titles in ballroom, according to CTV.

But how long he and his counterparts will last on the show is anyone's guess, he said.

"It's difficult to say who Canada chooses (to stay on) ... it's almost unpredictable," said Drozdyuk.

However, he did name his current dance partner on the show, Amanda Cleghorn of Mississauga, as one he expects to go far.

He said following So You Think You Can Dance Canada he wants to continue performing and competing, but also has goals in mind.

"Half of my goals (are) in the performance area and half in teaching ... become successful first in the ballroom world and try to organize a teaching system for ballroom."

His advice for young dancers?

"The most important thing is to ask (themselves) the question why they're dancing," he said. "I dance because when I listen to music, I have to express it physically. Also, I want to inspire people, give the people something other than their daily life experiences."