Dancing across the spectrum
MORE than 70 young dancers will take part in a “mini university of dance” at a Dorchester Heights dance and pilates studio for two weeks before their rehearsals culminate in an exciting dance extravaganza at the Guild Theatre in December.
This is the 10th year Dynamic Body Studio owner Vicky Luff has thrown open her sunny home dance studio to dancers aged between five and 18 for the first chunk of the school holidays.
Sixty-eight girls and three boys will be taught routines by 12 choreographers in genres as diverse as contemporary, classic, Pantsula, Spanish, gumboot, hip-hop, krump and belly dance. The dancers are from several East London schools and many attend dance classes at the city’s dance schools, including the Tracy Delport School of Dance, the Joanna Wright and Heather Cooper schools of ballet and the Christian Dance Academy.
Luff was inspired to start the dance academy after studying dance at Pretoria Technikon. “I wanted to give them the opportunity to be exposed to different dance styles just like I was, so this is like a mini-university experience because it gives them a taste of the performing arts.”
Luff said the intensive 13-day rehearsal period also taught dancers to work together and be patient with those less experienced in various dance styles.
“Some of them have never had a dance lesson before, but the more experienced ones help them. It is all about patience and respect.”
Some of the academy’s choreographers are former East London dancers now attending universities and theatre schools.
“Each choreographer takes a different genre and comes up with a routine they teach the students.
Luff invites charities to attend two matinee shows free of charge.
And, once the gruelling work is done, the excitement of costumes, lights and greasepaint takes over in a show that shares the magic of dance with awed audiences.
● The Dynamic Dance Academy showcase will be at the Guild Theatre on Monday December 11 and Tuesday December 12 at 6.30pm. Tickets cost R100 for adults and R80 for pensioners and scholars, and are available at Computicket. —