Robin van Wyk puts aspirant ballet competition dancers through their paces at a previous South African Performance Awards Competition in Gauteng. The competition event comes to KZN for the first time – to Hilton – this weekend.
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Today Hilton College Theatre will host some of the country’s top ballet dancers taking part in the South African Performance Awards Competition. The public is invited to watch a thrilling high-stakes afternoon of aspiring dancers showcasing their skills in a competition format.
The competition is on behalf of the American Academy of Ballet, a New York-based global ballet organisation that co-ordinates and hosts auditions and performance awards events all over the world. There are cash prizes for the best dancers.
This is the first time the event has come to Hilton and it starts at 1pm.
There are two sessions – one for junior and one for senior dancers. Both start with class taken by Karen Beukes, former Artistic Director of Joburg Ballet, followed by a carefully curated competition format dance showcase.
Approximately 20 dancers will be participating. Many from KZN but also from further afield.
Dancers will perform choreographed routines before judges as a means of boosting their technique, artistry, and confidence. The competition is open to all ballet teachers and their students. The dancer and teacher may decide the most appropriate level for entry and each dancer must perform the solo variation for the level they select.
The judges for the day are Knysna-based Sidwell Roman and Iain Macdonald, a former Artistic Director of Joburg Ballet.
The American Academy of Ballet, located in New York, is a ballet company renowned for its top-notch ballet instruction offering world-class dance training and performance opportunities. Its mission is to provide rigorous and inspiring ballet education to prepare students for professional careers.
Established by the visionary South African trailblazer in the world of ballet education, Mignon Furman, in the early 90s, the prestigious Performance Awards programme offers aspiring dancers from around the world the opportunity to refine their skills in a focused, supportive environment.
“We invite dancers to be part of an international ballet event celebrated worldwide and to earn medals, certificates, and personalized feedback as well as experience the joy of performing in a supportive and inspiring atmosphere to build confidence, artistry, and lifelong memories,” says Laurence Kaplan, the son of Mignon Furman and the AAB Executive Director.
Junior and Seniors will be adjudicated on Saturday 28 March from 1pm, with registrations from noon. Tickets are R160 through Webtickets. Tickets are in the form of a day-pass allowing access to the auditorium throughout the day.