Dancers win gold in Los Angeles
SEVEN East London dancers returned from the World Championships of Performing Arts in Los Angeles last week in high spirits bearing bags filled with medals and trophies.
The 19th annual international championship, featured artists from 64 countries, who participated in dance, music, acting and modelling routines. The South African team entered the most contestants in the competition and came back with their heads held high.
Dance extraordinaire Chace Collett, 17, of Merrifield made history by being the only person to win Champion of the World titles in both junior and senior categories.
Collett performed a duet with 12-year-old Jemima Kruger to win the Junior Grand Champion Dance Group of the World award and the 2015 Junior Grand Champion Performer of the World award.
Collett also won the Senior Grand Champion Dance Group of the World award for her duet with her dance teacher and choreographer, Ashley Behrens.
“After Jemima and I won I didn’t think they would give out another award to the same person. I was so speechless when Ashley and I received the award,” said Collett.
“Dancing is my way of expressing myself. I feel more like myself when I dance than anywhere else. It makes me feel happy and alive,” said Collett, who has been accepted at the prestigious Joffrey Ballet and Alvin Ailey Dance School in the US next year.
Behrens said: “Judges are looking for entertaining and captivating pieces. You have one minute to tell a story, entertain and wow the crowd. They are looking for stage presence, good use of space, captivation of the audience and technique.”
Artistic director from the famous Cirque du Soleil, Pierre Parisien, who was a competition judge, congratulated Behrens on his choreography and the performance of his dancers.
“Jemima is only 12 and has already won the title of Grand Champion of the World against singers, actors, models and other artists. That is an amazing feat on its own,” said Behrens.
Jemima said: “When they told me I had won I was still in shock. I was so happy I wanted to cry.”
Hudson Park pupil Azukisiwe Mini, 17, who has only been dancing for three years, walked away with gold for her hip-hop solo and a number of other medals. “I was so nervous about the competition. I had never been overseas before but it was fun and I hope to go again next year and do better,” said Mini.
A 24-year-old who did not want to be named returned home with a gold award for hip-hop and a clutch of other medals. She was also awarded a six month scholarship to the Millennium Dance Complex, together with Collett and Behrens.
Selborne College pupil Camdon Dicks, 15, who won the award for Junior Grand Champion of the World in 2011, returned with six gold medals this year and the award for the highest results in the junior dance category.
He partnered with Dana du Preez, 15, to win gold for a lyrical dance performance.
Du Preez said: “It was quite overwhelming to see so many people performing from all over the world.”