Golden has something to be proud of this week, as local dancer Matea Devcic prepares to take the stage in the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show as a member of the Young Canadians School of Performing Arts.
Matea’s passion for performing began almost as soon as she could walk. According to her parents, she was singing, dancing and creating her own routines by the age of two, often putting on performances with a toy piano and microphone. She began formal dance training at age four and quickly developed a love for the stage.
Her journey started locally through programs at Stages School of Dance and later the Golden Dance Co., where she was among some of the studio’s earliest students. Over the years, she trained extensively in tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, acrobatics, musical theatre and vocals while competing and performing at festivals and competitions throughout British Columbia and Alberta.
The opportunity began with an audition last summer, when Matea travelled to Calgary to try out for the Young Canadians School of Performing Arts. Her acceptance to the program is a momentous achievement.
The Young Canadians is a Calgary-based program that combines professional training in dance, voice, and performance with a strong focus on personal growth and leadership development. Serving more than 100 youth aged 8 to 21, the school offers instruction in ballet, jazz, tap, acrobatics, and vocal performance while providing students with opportunities to perform throughout the year.
Supported by the Calgary Stampede and the Calgary Stampede Foundation, the program has spent more than 50 years helping young performers build confidence, develop artistic excellence, and prepare for future success both on and off the stage. Last summer, Matea became one of those young performers when she earned a place in the prestigious program.
The Young Canadians first appeared in the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show in 1968 and have been a signature part of the production ever since.
Over the past year, Matea’s parents, Mate and Heather Devcic, owners of Golden-based Classic Coatings & Cleaning, have made the trip to Calgary twice a week so she could attend rehearsals and training sessions. Their commitment, along with Matea’s dedication, will culminate on July 3 when she joins the cast for ten consecutive days of performances at the Stampede.
In addition to her work with the Young Canadians, Matea has also trained with acclaimed dancesport coach Martin Lefebvre, whose students have represented Canada internationally and appeared on national television in dance competitions.
The Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show has been a cornerstone of the Stampede’s evening entertainment for generations, evolving from traditional musical revues into the large-scale production audiences know today. Held nightly following the chuckwagon races, the show combines live music, dance, acrobatics, special effects, and a spectacular fireworks finale.
Today, the Grandstand Show remains one of Canada’s largest live productions, drawing thousands of spectators each night. For 2026, the Young Canadians will share the stage with an impressive lineup of performers. The show will be headlined by Alberta country group High Valley and will feature an international cast of specialty acts, including the Gardiner Brothers, Duo Soma, the Sylla Brothers, and the Bello Sisters.
The Gardiner Brothers are former Riverdance principal dancers whose blend of traditional Irish dance and contemporary performance has earned them millions of followers worldwide. For Matea, a self-described lover of tap dance and singing, the opportunity to perform alongside the celebrated duo will be one of the highlights of the experience.
The Grandstand Show is only one of several exciting opportunities Matea will experience through the Young Canadians. The group has performed at venues including the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Heritage Park and Calgary’s BMO Centre. Members also recently participated in a film project with performers from Cirque du Soleil’s Echo and will appear in Mandy Faye, a new children’s television series scheduled to premiere this fall. Matea is set to appear in two episodes.
The opportunity would be exciting for any young performer, but perhaps no one is more excited than Mate and Heather.
“We are so excited and beyond proud of our daughter for her to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” they shared.
Anyone heading to the Stampede this summer should keep an eye out for Matea and be sure to cheer her on. Her story is a testament to what can be achieved through dedication, perseverance, and the support of family. Every long drive from Golden and every late-night rehearsal has led to this moment, and the entire community has reason to celebrate as one of its own takes the stage at the Calgary Stampede.
