Mario’s dancers on top of their game even during Covid-19
'During Covid-19 we had to move all our dance competitions online' – owner and creative director, Mario Gomes.
The moonwalk, the Dougie and the Twist are only three of the many dance moves hip-hop dancers around the world use. In Krugersdorp the dance crews from The Mario Gomes Hip Hop Dance Academy had a memorable year, even if it had to be done online.
Mario Gomes, the owner and creative director of the academy explained that they specialise in different dance styles and have dancers from the age of four to 25 years old. These dancers are auditioned and evaluated every year to decide which dance crew they will be part of. These crews then represent not only their town but also their country at local and international competitions.
“During Covid-19 we had to move all our dance competitions online,” Mario said, adding that the crews did amazingly well even though it was lockdown. The crews now hold a number of titles from 2020.
The Rebellion Crew, an all-juniors teen crew, has 25 dancers between the ages of 13 and 16. They are the current Dance World Cup Dance World Champions and gold medallists, the Commonwealth World Champions and gold medallists, as well as the Dance Unlimited Online Junior Crew Champions and the Global Dance Supreme bronze medallists.
The Empire crew also has 25 members with dancers between the ages of 16 and 25. In 2020 they became the Dance World Cup Dance World Champions and gold medallists, Commonwealth World Champions and gold medallists, Global Dance Supreme National Champions, South African Hip Hop Number 1 Mega Crew, and Dance Unlimited Online Champions. They also became the number-one hip hop crew act at the recent Platform Live Dance Online Competition.
This crew is also entering the Dance Unlimited competition, Global Dance Supreme Dance competition, and The Most Wanted Street Dance Showcase which will all be held online, and they are looking to represent South Africa at more international competitions in 2021.
The Sovereignty crew is an all-girls crew consisting of 35 dancers between the ages of 13 and 16, and won the Dance World Cup Bronze medal, Commonwealth Vice World Championships, SA Commercial Dance Crew Championships and were finalists in the Platform Live Dance Competition SA.
The Oblivion crew is a modern contemporary crew with 25 dancers between the ages of 13 and 16. They won the bronze medal in the Dance World Cup competition and were finalists in the Platform Live Dance Competition SA.
The Sovereignty and Oblivion crews are entering the Dance Unlimited and Global Dance Supreme competitions that will be held online.
Krugersdorp dancers in the Rebellion crew are:
• Alexia Xenophou
• Tayle van Schoor
• Luhan Wolmaraans
• Aiden Mckinley
• Lephelo Motsai
• Avuyile Bekwa
• Kaylin Stemmet
• Mine vd Merwe
• Nina Venter
• Zia Hartzer
• Armand de Roubaix
Krugersdorp dancers in the Empire crew are:
• Nicolas Strous
• Noah Strous
• Kaydon Baggot
• Joshua Nel
• Daniel Lenka
• Thabang Rabothata
• Raymond Arrow
• Ishveer Lekhani
• Lehlogonolo Leshabane
Krugersdorp dancers in the Sovereignty and Oblivion crews are:
• Nikki Christodoulou
• Jolene Nel
• Caitlyn de Ponte
• Jocelyn Motashe
• Annique Williams
• Lesego Mothlamme
• Mbali Ntsele
• Neena van Rooyen
• Juanita de Ponte
• Nicolette Nikolaou
• Bella Gomes
• Saskia Pan
• Tamiya Horsley
• Tiana Foster Dollie
• Kailyn Becker
