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GEORGE NEWS - A celebration of life and art through the brilliance of young dancers. This encapsulates the gala event and concurrent award-giving ceremony of the Garden Route Dance Eisteddfod, witnessed last Friday by a full house at the George Arts Theatre.
Seven dance schools from the district were chosen to showcase their finest performances as accolade to the top students. A total of 13 dance schools (from Hartenbos to Plettenberg Bay) and several independent entries participated in the eisteddfod in August.
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The top five awards went as follows:
- Abbi Geldenhuys Academy of Ballet received the award for the best choreography for the group piece Ashes;
- Yohke van Niekerk of Rhythmical Seeds is the top junior all-rounder;
- Lucia Pauw of Steps Dance Academy scooped two awards as the top all-rounder senior and the top dancer senior.
- Sophia Morley of Rhythmical Seeds is this year's top junior dancer.
Main organiser and head of Rhythmical Seeds, Lizette Gerber, said this year has exceeded their highest expectations.
"George's growing dance industry is ready to pursue big dreams. We are aiming for more training opportunities as well as expansion of the original eisteddfod for 2020," she said. "As our adjudicator, Michelle Pieterse, said: 'Watch this space!'"
A group of award winners from different schools: In front from left are Lyche van der Westhuizen, Katelyn Lourens, Samantha de Kock, Erin Wooff and Donne Demp. Back: Erin Shackleton, Lilly Smit, Elishaen Smit, Nadia Badenhorst, Yohke van Niekerk, Lucia Pauw and Sophia Morley.
Abigail Geldenhuys, head of Abbi Geldenhuys Academy of Ballet, thanked the organisers for a well-organised and uplifting eisteddfod. "It was a lovely atmosphere, all the dancers enjoyed their time on the stage and the teachers were very happy with the constructive manner in which Pieterse gave her feedback. She really gave so many kids a boost in confidence. The gala evening was a beautiful display of dance styles. It is wonderful to see so many gorgeous dancers in the area."
Melody Alers of Steps Dance Academy in Hartenbos said the eisteddfod was a true platform for growth. "From those who danced on stage for the first time, to the advanced girls - all had a very positive experience," she said.
Gerber's team of administrators and organisers are incredibly grateful for the support they have received from the participating schools, as well as the sponsors who made it possible to hand out prizes to promote the dancers' training. "Throughout the eisteddfod the feedback from Pieterse was extremely positive and uplifting. We are excited to see how all the dancers will apply her advice and grow for next year," said Gerber.
Accolades for the 2019 Dance Eisteddfod kept rolling in. These are messages from dance teachers in the region:
Belinda van Tonder of Plettenberg Bay Dance Academy: "What an amazing event this was. The dancers were so excited and loved every moment of it. This is such an awesome platform for all dancers and a great promotion of dance."
Marlise Steenekamp of Marlise's School of Spanish Dance: "It was very well organised, well done and thank you to everyone that worked hard before and during the eisteddfod. We had so much fun and look forward to the next one."
Carmen de Sousa of Carmen's School of Dance in Knysna: "It was a lovely, well run and friendly eisteddfod. The girls enjoyed the experience."
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