LEAP TO SUCCESS
Invitation to ballet camp a boost
TAKING OFF: The dance skills of talented teenager Luhle Jakavula, 14, of Walmer township, have won him a scholarship to the American Academy of Ballet Summer School of Excellence in New York in July. The Grade 9 pupil at Walmer’s DF Malherbe high school auditioned in Knysna last year for an invitation to the US ballet camp.
WALMER township dancer Luhle Jakavula, 14, hopes he will be able to take up an invitation worth close to R100 000 to join the American Academy of Ballet Summer School of Excellence in New York in July.
D F Malherbe High School Grade 9 pupil Luhle auditioned for the US ballet camp in Knysna last year, but initially thought he had ruined the audition.
“I honestly had no hope that I made a good impression because I messed up my first routine. But when I got back, the feedback was all positive. I’d received 75% on my routines and was told I got the scholarship to go to the US,” Luhle said.
Raised by a single mother to two boys, Luhle’s talent was spotted by dance teacher Vicki Pretorius at Walmer West Primary School where he attended fun ballet classes.
Pretorius referred the youngster to the Susan Zerbst School of Ballet in Charlo and he impressed his new teacher straight away.
“He was referred to me in September 2015 and I immediately accepted him at no fee as I saw his promise and obvious talent,” Zerbst said.
Luhle has been dancing since Grade 1 and always knew it was his life’s passion.
“I’ve been dancing for eight years now and I can honestly say I haven’t thought about anything else other than ballet since,” Luhle said.
The ballet enthusiast said even though he had been dancing for a number of years, he only started with a “professional” career when he joined Zerbst’s studio.
“I’ve been taking the Royal Academy of Dance exams for the last two years and I truly hope I can go to New York to learn and absorb the knowledge, see the skills and tricks of other dancers and also show them what I can do,” Luhle said.
He has passed the Royal Academy of Dance Intermediate Foundation Exam with flying colours and went on to excel at the 2016 Port Elizabeth Dance Festival.
However, even though he has now won an invitation to the ballet camp in New York, and his scholarship covers 75% of his trip, including accommodation and travel while there, he still needs an additional R30 000 for his airfare.
One of his teachers, Adele Bosch, is helping him to raise the funds.
For more information on how to assist Luhle, contact Adele Bosch at adelebosch10@gmail.com
I can honestly say I haven’t thought about anything else