Kathy’s Window: I danced with a world champ

An over-50 Generation Xer sees life through a new lens: Kathy’s Window is where Kathy shares her thoughts on the world through a new lens. From growing up in the 70s and 80s to having three Generation-Z kids, and going through certain experiences in her life, she now sees the world in a different way. Ideas that were considered the norm in the 70s, 80s and 90s are now no longer socially relevant or acceptable. Kathy explores the new ideas through the lens of someone who has been on both sides of the ‘glass’.

SIX years ago, when I struggled to do a ‘coaster’ – a basic dance move, I would never have thought I’d dance in front of an audience and win a silver medal.

I started line dancing about six and a half years ago in Durban North with Beeline Dance. It was hard in the beginning. I had ‘two left feet’ as the saying goes. But I stuck it out and found it was one of the highlights of my life at the time which was fraught with lots of trials.

Then, in 2022, I moved to the Upper Highway area to be closer to work, ie, Highway Mail. I had never planned to enter competition dances and just wanted to dance for fun and exercise. As a kid and even in adult situations, I’d suffered from stage fright which often messed up my performances so I’d made an internal decision to not go on stage again. I also wanted dancing to remain just a fun thing to do – nothing too serious.

Also read: Local line dancer crowned world dance champ in UK

But then, when I joined Just Dance studio, run by Lesley Klewinghaus and Jerome Edwards, I picked up on the enthusiasm of the other competition dancers. Also, the competition dance classes were at a more convenient time for me than the social dance classes, and I wanted to work on my technique. I was petrified of the thought of going to a competition, but I started the classes and learnt the new dances.

The classes became a gift to me. After a stressful week, when I just wanted to go home and nap on the couch, I went to dancing and left after the lesson on a high. I made new friends and enjoyed the sense of camaraderie in the group. Then, we started getting our outfits ready – phew, is that quite a job? But it was fun albeit a bit frustrating if you’re not a talented seamstress. Thankfully, Lynn, one of the teachers, helped me, and I took out my needle and thread and glue to ‘bling’ up my costumes for the solo dances. I mean, most women love to dress up all glamorous, don’t they?

A few months before the competition (Meltdown 2024), Jerome approached us about doing the Pro-Am dances – an East-Coast Swing. Pro-Am is when you dance with a professional dancer – you are the amateur. Only you get judged by the judges at the competition – the professional is there to guide you and dance with you. We would be dancing with Kevin Ellis who has won the world champs multiple times. We all agreed. My reason – pure FOMO – fear of missing out.

Kevin Ellis is the undefeated World and European Partners champion, the World Solo Champion of the Gems section and the World and European Senior Duos 2023 champion. He also works for the Kloof and Highway SPCA, managing the thrift stores and helping raise funds for animals in need, using his skills as a stylist and fashion guru. He’s also a dance choreographer.

Kevin took us under our wing. I was a bit nervous to dance with a world champ in the beginning – I wondered if he would be harsh and demanding, but Kevin was an absolute gem. With the help of Jerome’s excellent technique teaching, Kevin built up our confidence and taught us how to follow his lead in the couple’s dance. There were seven of us ladies, and he worked with each of our unique styles. He made us believe in ourselves. And he organised our outfits for us and ‘blinged’ them up all for free – not to mention all the little extra touches like hair pieces. We had a ball with the practices.

Also read: Novice dancer (75) wins comp

When it was time to dance on the day of the competition, knowing my first dance would be led by someone who believed in me and oozed style and confidence, helped me go on that dance floor for the first time. I was petrified, yes, but I did it. I danced in front of an audience. After that Pro-Am dance, I knew I could face up to my solo dances later on in the competition day. It just gave me that boost I needed to believe in myself.

So, I know this Kathy’s Window is different from my usual and isn’t an opinion piece, but I will offer my small piece of advice to you readers:

Follow that dream, no matter what age you are and what your body size is. You can do it. It was hard for me to go out there in a larger body while struggling with my own body image issues, but I did it – with the help of a good shaper under my clothes and some calming meds.

Believe in yourself. And even if you mess up – you’re amazing because you tried. Yes, I actually came last in my age group and level for the Pro-Am dance. I was upset at first, and my mind spiralled into my body image issues again, but then I bounced back and thought: There will be more competitions. There is an opportunity to grow and do better next time. And the most important thing was the experience – not my placing. It was an awesome experience that I’m so glad I had. I’m so grateful to everyone at Just Dance. And to my teachers at Beeline for playing a part in getting me to this point. And, I’m learning to work on my body image issues – that will be my next post.

I came second out of a group of four for my solo dances hence the silver medal. Jerome says that eventually, you get so many medals that you don’t know what to do with them.

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