Daniela is SAs Solo Dança Latina champ

Born in the Lowveld, the 14-year-old dancer was recently crowned the South African Solo Dança Latina Champion of 2017.

In 2016 she also qualified for SAs, but unfortunately did not win a title.

Daniela also won the Classic Junior Youth South African title and placed second in the Junior Youth Energy section. She was part of the Mpumalanga team, which won the provincial championships in Secunda. This was the first year in which a group of Mpumalanga dancers represented their province.

In all 12 styles, classic (contemporary, jazz, ballet and Spanish), energy (NRG, Bhangra, slow style, hip hop) and Latin (cha-cha, samba, paso doble, jive), Daniela ranked sixth in the country in the age group category 13+, including professionals.

Daniela, a pupil of Uplands College, started dancing at the age of four.

The Bezuidenhouts then relocated to Mozambique for four years.

“I joined Tanya (Edwards-Smith) of Rhythm Image Dance Studio at a very young age. As soon as we moved back to the Lowveld, I joined her team once again. So to be safe, I started dancing properly at the age of eight years.”

The SA rankings are determined throughout the year, with the South African Champs being the decisive competition.

“I was stunned. I knew I would do better this year, but to be crowned SAs Solo Danca Latina Champion is such an amazing achievement. This is the start of something great,” Daniela said.

Daniela dreams of becoming a professional dancer, and performing in a musical such as Hairspray.

Rhythm Image Dance Studio will be hosting a four-day dance camp from January 4-7 from 08:00 to 17:00. Costs: R1 360 per dancer. All the above-mentioned styles of dance will be taught.

Guest international teacher Melissa Bartrem (Canada) and Sebastien Payet (Reunion), as well as local teachers, will join the camp.

Enquiries: Maryssa on 079-776-8508 or Tanya on alldance@mweb.co.za or 082-451-2564.