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Surrounded by another of her creative passions - dancing gear from her DanZone label - Christelle Smit signifies the strength and kindness that should be celebrated in women on Women’s Day.
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GEORGE NEWS - If it is true that looks can be deceiving, then many people who have met Christelle Smit (54) might have been deceived by the strength, integrity and kindness that lies behind this beautiful, petite blonde woman.
Born and raised in Kimberly, Christelle started classical ballet training at the age of 5 and had laid the foundations for the Christelle Smit Dance Studio before she wrote matric. Although she readily admits, "Dance is pivotal in my life" she is just as quick to add "it does not rule my life."
First and foremost is her family; husband Gavin, daughter Philippa and parents Chris and Yvonne van der Walt come first in her life. Confirming that she is a very private person, Christelle speaks highly of her businessman husband with whom she thoroughly enjoys travelling. From her mom, who was a businesswoman herself, she embraced the importance of individualism. She was blessed with artistic and creative genes from both her parents.
Although there was a moment when she considered becoming a lawyer, it was for her dance career she made all the sacrifices. One of the primary ones being giving up her place in the netball first team at the beginning of Standard 7, when it clashed with dance classes. Then, as a high school learner, there were the Friday afternoons and Saturdays spent teaching and working on her dancing qualifications, allowing her to live the dream of her ideal job and life today.
From Monday to Thursday, Christelle is the principal of this dance institution which provides expert tuition and training in numerous genres, including jazz and contemporary dance. As Christelle completed her Association of International Dance Teachers (AIDT) Membership exam in 2003 and was then invited to become an AIDT examiner in 2004, she is now one of only 26 examiners world wide.
This allows her to offer the AIDT Diploma of Dance/Advanced Diploma of Dance for talented youngsters who want to make a career out of their passion for dancing. True to her commitment for balance, Christelle has combined her role as international examiner with her other passions of travelling, photography and hiking.
Not only does she examine in South Africa, but she has also visited Cyprus, Israel, Las Vegas and British Columbia in Canada, where she recently donned her hat, not only as traveller and examiner but also as mother-of-the-bride. Daughter Philippa, who passed her AIDT Associate Modern examination in 2008, tied the knot and now lives in Niagra on the Lake. Christelle also admits that during this recent overseas visit she had the honour of serving alongside another South African AIDT examiner as they examined Shannon Martin, who is now the first Canadian AIDT examiner for the Jazz Syllabus.
Back home in George, it's back to the studio for now. Although she is currently working out how to use her new baby, her iPad, time is also made to enjoy exploring, art galleries, good food and wine, and designing dancer friendly gear for DanZone, the label Christelle started and which now supplies dancers nationwide.
Serving as an inspiration to the thousands of people who have been touched and encouraged by her passion for dancing and life, Christelle Smit is a role model for the integrity, strength and kindness that should be celebrated in South African women today.
ARTICLE AND PHOTO: LEEANNE PRATT, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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