Tamina Pollack-Paris

Updated Thu. Oct. 23 2008 11:07 PM ET

Voted off Top 16

When she was told she made it into the So You Think You Can Dance Canada Top 20, Toronto native Tamina Pollack-Paris felt honoured to be considered one of Canada's top dancers. "I can't wait to see what the competition has in store."

A hip-hop dancer with some training in jazz, ballet and Irish dance, Tamina relies on her "personality, sass, attitude, and of course my 'pump'" to get her through the competition. Tamina attended the Interplay School of Dance, and keeps busy taking classes at various dance studios in Toronto.

Supported by her family and friends, Tamina says her father is the greatest source of inspiration for her. "Whenever I'm in doubt, he always helps me realize why I'm here and what I'm here to do."

One thing Tamina plans to do is make her own dance career path, one that includes applying her business degree; Tamina is currently attending Ryerson University majoring in Business Management.

If given the choice to work with any artist, Tamina would love to perform with Janet Jackson. "She has so much presence and swagger without even trying." Another one of her favourites includes Paula Abdul. "In the 'Cold Hearted Snake' video they were just killing it - so sharp and clean."

Tamina says her perseverance will allow her to become Canada's favourite dancer, but knows it will also take the ability to adapt to different styles of dance. "I will have to become a chameleon and adapt to whatever the choreographers throw at me, and turn up the performance level 250%."

When asked what she plans to bring to the competition, Tamina simply says "Fire!"