Cayden to dance at international ballet event

GEORGE NEWS - Former Yorkie and Hoekwil resident Cayden Bean took one step closer to realising his dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer last weekend, when he participated in the regional qualifying round of the South African International Ballet Competition (SAIBC) in Gqeberha.

The 17-year-old performed a classical ballet repertoire solo and a contemporary solo, earning third place in the event and an entry into the SAIBC, where he will represent South Africa.

This prestigious international event takes place at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town in July.

CEO and director of the SAIBC Dirk Badenhorst said he had seen tremendous growth in Bean's dancing over the past year, and could simply sit back and enjoy his performance.

Cayden at the SAIBC regional qualifiers in Gqeberha this past weekend.

Internship

Badenhorst was so impressed that he went on to award the young dancer a year-long internship at Mzansi Ballet in Johannesburg once he has completed his matric studies this year.

"It's great to see such passion and commitment to the art, and so I really hope that he can take us up on the offer and come and join us at Mzansi Ballet," he told the audience.

Bean said he was grateful to have qualified for the international competition in July for the additional opportunities this would present, and honoured to have been awarded the internship at Mzansi Ballet.

"This is a great opportunity for me to not only further my training but to potentially begin my professional dance career next year. It just feels like all the sacrifices, hard work and commitment to my dream are finally starting to pay off. To have started the year on such a high note is a huge confidence boost for me, and for what's to come later this year," he said.

A shot from Cayden’s contemporary piece, Soldier.

Roots

At the end of 2023, Bean left York High School and the Abbi Geldenhuys Academy of Ballet where he had danced for seven years, to dance vocationally and prepare for a professional ballet career. He now trains fulltime with the Sidwell Roman School of Ballet in Knysna.

Mzansi Ballet is a dance company that brings together emerging artists with seasoned professionals to create performances that convey South African stories while respecting the cultural and historical aspects of classical ballet.

Cayden was awarded third place in his division and entry into the SAIBC in Cape Town in July.