Local dancer can’t stop winning

Maxine Stuart (12) cannot stop winning dancing competitions.

The Weltevreden Park resident dances at J and C Dance Creations in Weltevreden Park, and attends Tutor the Future, a home school in Randpark Ridge.

Last month, she won the Acrobatic Festival, and came second in the South African Regional Championships in Pretoria.

She also won an Ultimate Gold award and one gold medal at The American Dance Awards in Boston in July, two first place prizes at the Roodepoort Modern Festival in September, and overall first place in the 11 years and U13 category at the Randburg Modern Festival at Robin Hills Primary School in September. “I like dancing because I get to express my feelings through it,” she said. She added that dancing is “lots of fun” and she wants to dance professionally one day.

Maxine is part of the Dream Team at J and C Dance Creations, a programme that grants individuals the opportunity to take their dancing careers further, even professional. “She is one of our rising stars,” said J and C Dance Creations co-owner Jackie McGinn. “She has so much potential. She is like a rubber band, very flexible.”

When training for competitions, Maxine dances for three hours, six days per week. Despite this, Tutor the Future owner Sue Jerg said that Stuart’s dancing has improved her academic performance rather than hindering it. “Her focus on dancing has improved her academically,” Jerg said. “She has learned organisational skills, and listens in class. It focuses her.”

Details: J and C Dance Creations www.jncdancecreations.com/contact.php ; Tutor the Future www.tutorthefuture.co.za