No dance move too difficult for Antoinette

Antoinette Modise has mastered four genres of dance, yet she said this is just the beginning of her career.

The 24-year-old from Homelake said since becoming a professional dancer she has evolved into a coach at the Phoenix School of Performing Arts and is now in a position to share her knowledge with others with the same passion.

She said when she started dancing, it was all fun and games. Now it is a calling. Her main focus is hip hop, contemporary, acrobatics and jazz.

“I have always fancied myself as a stage performer in front of the audience and cameras but as a child it started out as an extramural activity. Later I grew to love it, and took it seriously,” she said.

She said dancing is much like any other activity, you just have to just give it your all to get it right.

“I believe that dancing is in all of us. It only takes training and a strong sense of will to explore it, and you can be become a real dancer for as long you train enough.”

She added that contrary to popular belief, dancing does not require a certain body part for one to excel, but just constant rehearsal that will help with getting the moves right/ spot on.

“Even those who are unfit can do it,” she added.

Having competed in various championships, Antoinette said dancing has given her the opportunity to go overseas for the first time in in her life and allowed her the pleasure of representing South Africa.

“In 2011, I had an opportunity to go to Montenegro, where we won the Grand Pre Trophy,” she said proudly.

She encouraged others, saying that if they want to excel in dancing, they should focus on training hard, which she claims to be the most important aspect of dancing.

“Dancers should not be so worried about getting it right the first time. Sometimes one needs to take a step back and look at what areas you can improve on. As long as you enjoy and love what you are doing, dancing will take you where you want to go in a jiffy. Also, never give up!” she said.