Hoërskool John Vorster’s Kaylee de Bruyne earns national honours and 2027 international selections
Grade 10 dancer Kaylee de Bruyne has enjoyed a remarkable 2026, collecting top honours at national competitions and eisteddfods while earning selection for eight South African teams set to compete internationally in 2027.
Grade 10 learner Kaylee de Bruyne of Hoërskool John Vorster is making her mark in the dance world after delivering a series of outstanding performances at national competitions and eisteddfods.
Kaylee competed in several events during the past month and school holidays, collecting top positions, medals, trophies and prestigious selections for international competitions in 2027.
Her impressive run began at the Brakpan Eisteddfod, where she won the item in all five disciplines she entered. She scored 96% for Jazz, 97% for Ballet, 97% for Acrobatics, 99% for Contemporary and an outstanding 100% for Lyrical.
Her results earned her an invitation to the Gala Prize-Giving, where she was announced as the dancer with the highest mark and named High School Dancer of the Year.
At the Talent Africa Nationals at the Roodepoort Theatre, Kaylee continued her winning form, receiving three Gold and two Platinum awards.
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Her performances also earned her selection for the South African team for international events, including Stars of the Universe, the World Dance Championships, and Mediterranean Legends Spain.
She then competed at the DTMA Nationals at the Carnival City Mardi Gras Theatre, achieving 94% in Jazz, 95% in Acrobatics, 94.7% in Lyrical, 92% in Ballet and 95.5% in Contemporary. Kaylee placed second in Lyrical, Ballet and Contemporary and was selected for the Elite Team, Galaxy of the Ocean, which will compete aboard an MSC passenger ship.
She has also been selected to represent South Africa at the World Dance Competition USA at Disney World in 2027.
Her success continued at Dance Waves South Africa at the Roodepoort Theatre, where she placed fourth in Lyrical and Contemporary, third in Jazz and first in both Ballet and Acrobatics.
The results earned her another selection for the South African team, this time for Eurotour 2027.
At Dance Fusion South Africa in Pretoria, Kaylee competed in the Championship Division. She secured second place in Ballet with a Pro-Gold award; fourth place in Lyrical with Pro-Gold; fourth place in Contemporary with Platinum after scoring 91%; first place in Acrobatics with Platinum after scoring 91%; and second place in Jazz with Diamond after scoring 96%.
Kaylee’s achievements over the past month add to an already impressive 2026 record. She has received 87 diplomas at eisteddfods for dance alone, excluding Drama and Public Speaking awards. Her achievements also include 47 Item Winner awards, 22 Section Winner awards, 90 competition medals, 35 trophies and 64 podium finishes.
She has received Gauteng colours five times and has been selected for eight South African teams for 2027. Her achievements have brought pride to Hoërskool John Vorster, where she continues to balance her academic responsibilities with her demanding dance schedule.
With several international opportunities ahead, Kaylee is now preparing to take her talent beyond South Africa and compete on some of the world’s biggest dance stages in 2027.
