Young dancers put on their best performance
The parents of the students of Surane's Dance Academy were in for a real treat during their annual concert last week at the Nelspruit Civic Centre.
The stage was transformed into a fairyland of lights and each dancer put on their best performance of the year. “Every year they host their annual parents evening. The girls only have eight classes to prepare for it. We treat it like a real concert, from tickets to decor and costumes. I must say that this is the highlight of the year for most students, born to perform on stage.
Every year the top five according to their examination results are allowed to perform a solo which I choreograph for them.
“This year’s theme was ‘Winter Wonderland’, and it was absolutely spectacular. I am so proud to be able to teach these students to dance on stage by themselves, no teacher nearby to help them, I believe that it is such a good value in life,” said owner of the academy, Surane Koch.
The academy started off a few years ago in the Lowveld – going around to all the different preschools teaching all the little twinkle toes the fun basics of ballet. It has expanded since then to a big studio in Mbombela, Ngodwana and Barberton with around 110 students. Koch is a registered ballet teacher with her pregrades, grades and majors and has an associate membership level three of the Dance Academy of South Africa.
“We hold annual examination sessions in the Lowveld and all over South Africa with an external examiner where students receive certificates, broaches and medals. This year I had two students who were chosen for SAs and at the Mpumalanga Championship the academy brought home a few medals.
“Our advanced student received a 90 per cent for her advanced one exam.”
Three years ago Koch did her teachers in solo energy (NRG, bhangra, slow style, hip hop) and solo classic (contemporary, jazz, ballet and Spanish). She has since then started offering these classes as well.
“Our studio has grown a lot over the years, but the students and myself are very close, especially because the towns where I teach are very small and the people there are still family orientated, such a blessing. I have appointed an assistant teacher, Corné Fourie in Barberton just to help me out once a week while I am teaching in Ngodwana. I am very happy to have her on our team.”
The following floating trophies were awarded to top dancers
• Ballet pregrade student – Lee-Ane Louw
• Ballet grade student – Lisa van der Walt
• Ballet major – Sara Bingham
• Solo energy – Lisa van der Walt.
