Local ballerina on her way to the top
“Last year October Cemea caught the eye of a top European Ballet Academy, Zurich Ballet, and has been offered a full scholarship.”
A young Centurion ballerina caught the eye of a top ballet academy in Switzerland and has been offered a full scholarship with them.
The 13-year-old Cemea Engelbrecht from Southdowns has been recognised internationally for her talent and potential as a young dancer.
Cemea’s mother Nicole Engelbrecht said her daughter attended Southdowns College until the end 2018.
Then she moved over to the Cambridge Curriculum. Taking her favourite subjects like maths and science, this curriculum has allowed her to move though her work at her own pace, completing two academic years in a single year. This will enable her to complete her schooling sooner.
“Cemea spends approximately 24 hours a week training. Once a shy little girl, but she has always been driven and hardworking. Through tears and laughter Cemea is a young dancer who doesn’t stop for the day or lesson until she gets it right.”
She said Cemea was known for her strong focus on technique, stage presence and humble personality.
“She is kind, polite, respects her teachers and has an impeccable work ethic.”
Her early success was attributable to her teachers and he passion for ballet, she said.
“Cemea always says there is nothing that comes close to the feeling you get when you dance on stage. Her face always lights up when she gets ready for classes and says it is easy to do something you are so passionate about.”
According to Amelia van Ryneveld du Toit, head of dance at Southdowns Dance Academy, Cemea was trained in classical and contemporary ballet since the age of six years at Southdowns Dance Academy.
“Cemea has won numerous local and international competitions representing South Africa. She was the only South African to have made it to the top six in 2019 at the American Dance Awards.
“In 2019 Cemea placed in first place with her ballet solo at the ADA in the junior ballet category and she was the winner of a solo scholarship to Dance Star based on her high scoring ballet solo.”
Van Ryneveld du Toit said Cemea was the youngest dancer chosen from thousands of competitors to dance in the gala evenings top 10 for her highest scoring solo.
“Cemea completed her Royal Academy of Dance vocational examinations for Intermediate Foundation receiving 91% and intermediate receiving 90%.
“Last year October, Cemea caught the eye of a top European ballet academy, namely Zurich Ballet, and has been offered the full scholarship following a training scholarship in Australia.
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