While the American version of So You Think You Can Dance has just concluded, Canadian fans of the show won’t be hurting from a lack of TV dance anytime soon, as the homegrown version returns this Sunday.

After two successful seasons on air, talented dancers lined up for auditions across the country last fall and this spring. So You Think You Can Dance Canada is expected to bring yet another talented lineup; we caught up with choreographer and judge Blake McGrath for his take on the Canadian competition so far, and where the show is headed this season.

TVG: Have you enjoyed being a judge for this season so far?
Blake McGrath: I’ve really enjoyed it. You know, the talent across Canada is so amazing, so it’s always nice to come back and see the talent here and how it grows every year, I feel.

TVG: So, after being on the very first season of So You Think You Can Dance in the U.S. and now being in two seasons of the Canadian version, how do you think the talent’s changed over the years?
BM: I just honestly think it gets fiercer and tougher each year. There are new, young, fresh faces that we’re seeing. They’re so talented that I think that the generation gets – as it keeps moving on – the kids get stronger and stronger. So obviously they have more discipline, and they’re obviously in the studio more hours training, and I just think they take it seriously.

TVG: What excites you the most about this season of So You Think You Can Dance Canada?
BM: Everything. I think the unexpected always excites me. You never know who’s going to grow, and who’s going to become a star, and what stars we already have – which we have so many in our Top 20. I’m excited for the unexpected, I guess.

TVG: How did the auditions go this season?
BM: Incredible. The auditions were very smooth. We saw so many people from all over Canada, and again, I think the talent this season is our strongest for sure.

TVG: Out of all of the cities that you went to, were there any that really stood out or really surprised you?
BM: No, not really. They were all great. They really were.

TVG: I know it’s a little early to tell but are there any really strong contenders already that we should look out for?
BM: Tons. I can’t say the names, but there are a lot of them. And you’ll know when you see them for sure in the cities. You’ve gotta watch their auditions.

TVG: OK, but with auditions everyone can count on seeing the wacky ones. Were there any really memorable dancers that you saw?
BM: Yeah (laughs), there always are. For sure, you know they definitely come out. My good friend “Sandy Andy” always comes out and he’s just absolutely hysterical.

TVG: What was the craziest thing that happened on the road?
BM: Well, Mrs. Leah Miller takes [Blake’s] Boot Camp this season, so that was pretty crazy to see her coming out into my boot camp. It’s pretty funny.

TVG: Now that the American version this season introduced a slew of new rules and slightly different format, should Canadians be expecting any major changes to the show this year?
BM: You’re going to have to wait and find out!

TVG: No hints?
BM: No hints.

TVG: All right, what about the judging panel? Are there any guest judges that you can tell us about that will be on for this season?
BM: Mary Murphy will be back. Same with Mia Michaels; she’ll be back as well. So I’m not sure for the others, but right now they have another special guest that they haven’t even let us know, but they’ll be there.

TVG: How have you prepped the dancers for your boot camp or how did they go through that?
BM: A lot of them did well; a lot of them did well. It was really tough – it’s always a grueling process. I kind of let the dancers know what they’re in for when the show starts. So some of them did all right, and some of them definitely had a challenge.

TVG: Through the course of the series, you’ve been quite known for your hot and fierce jazz-funk routines. Do you have any more up your sleeve?
BM: Yes, I do actually. My first piece is going to be hot and steamy, so it’ll be fun.

TVG: Excellent. So finally, what should Canadians expect from this new upcoming season of So You Think You Can Dance Canada?
BM: Fiercer, stronger, tougher and better.

 

The season première of So You Think You Can Dance Canada airs Sunday, August 15 at 9 p.m. ET on CTV.

Are you looking forward to this season? Comment below!

 

Video: Check out Blake’s music video for “The Night (Only Place to Go)”

 

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