GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Cayden Bean (18) has danced his way onto the international stage, securing a full scholarship to the Ballet Academy East in New York City, where he will begin his training in January.
Cayden is from George, but is coached by Sidwell Roman of the Sidwell Roman School of Ballet in Knysna, who has been instrumental to his success.
His dream move follows a string of standout successes at the recent Nelson Mandela Bay Dance Festival, where he claimed the R20 000 Gwen Mary Wells Scholarship, the Masters Ballet Championship title, his ballet section, and a WGRUV* Dance Company experience.
His performances left the adjudicators and audiences in awe, cementing his reputation as one of the most talented young dancers in the region.
Admission to the Ballet Academy East is fiercely competitive. Cayden was awarded his place after a video audition and Zoom interview with the founder and director, Julia Dubno, and artistic director, Stacey Culvert.
Now, as he prepares for this exciting new chapter, Cayden is appealing to the community to help him raise R100 000 to cover his living expenses, transport and return flights.
The programme runs from 15 September to June next year. Cayden is still writing his matric finals and will join the programme in January. His estimated living cost is between R10 000 and R15 000 per month.
Supporters can contribute towards this on his BackaBuddy page, Cayden Bean: Project NYC.
Eighteen-year-old Cayden Bean from Sidwell Roman School of Ballet. Photos: Dirk Moggee
"This opportunity is life-changing," says Cayden. "Every step I take from here is thanks to those who believe in me."
For Cayden, ballet is more than just a career path - it's a lifelong passion.
"I've been dancing since I was eight, and started ballet at 10. At 16 I went to New York for a summer programme, and I knew then this was my future. Since then, I've shaped my whole life around training - from homeschooling to allow more studio time to daily Pilates, private lessons and six-hour practice days. Ballet isn't just what I do, it's who I am."
For more information, send an email to Bronwyn Mulrooney at zooniverse@mweb.co.za.
*The acronym, pronounced "double-u groove", stands for the first initial of founder Holly Gruver's husband, Will, combined with the first part of their shared surname, Gruver.
Cayden Bean is the first ever dancer to win the WGRUV Company Experience Award for the best senior student for ballet and contemporary.
Accolades
- Cayden won the following titles at the Nelson Mandel Bay Dance Festival in Gqeberha:
- The Master Male Ballet Championship
- Ballet winner in 18 years & over group (males)
- Modern winner in the 18 years & over group (males)
- National/character winner in 17 & 18 age group (males)
Special awards: Cayden is the second ever winner of the Gwen Mary Wells Scholarship sponsored by Warren Adams for the most outstanding senior dancer: R20 000.
He is also the first ever winner of a sponsored dance experience by the WGRUV Company, as the best senior student for ballet and contemporary.
At the Friendly City Dance Festival, also in Gqeberha (7-23 August), Cayden was named:
- Runner-up in the Senior Boys Ballet Championship (awarded by ballerina Kitty Phetla)
- Ballet section winner (aged 17-18, males)
- Modern section winner (aged 17-18, males)
- National section winner (aged 17-18, males).
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