Free dance studio keeps children off the streets
According to the founders the studio is all about sharing talent, learning from each other, but most importantly, keeping Mamelodi children away from the streets, crime and drugs.
A versatile dance studio from Mamelodi helps young performers perfect their dance skills.
Tha Kuad Dance Studio is a versatile dance studio and a non-profit organisation founded by Ntsatsaile “Maud” Mapheto and Thabiso Riba, both from Mamelodi, in 2023.
Co-founder, choreographer and dancer Mapheto said the studio is all about sharing talent, learning from each other, but most importantly, keeping Mamelodi children away from the streets, crime and drugs.
She said the studio is working with a lot of talented groups and is situated at the Beer Hall, teaching anything from contemporary to jazz and amapiano dances for free.
“The studio has no age restriction, but is focussed on children, because it wants to teach them while they are still young,” Mapheto said.
“Our organisation is focused on the development of dance, building a dance academy for our community and training dancers for the profession.
“The training programme offers training in contemporary dance and ballet and is aimed at creating a steady supply of dancers and arts practitioners from our community.”
“The studio’s mission is to familiarise the community with the work that we do in terms of dance and how we incorporate it with theatre.”
Tha Kuad Dance Studio stems from Movability, founded by Laura-Jean De Vries in 2010.
Mapheto and Riba trained under De Vries up to Advanced level. In 2023, they took over the programme as their own.
Co-founder, choreographer and dancer, Riba (23) said the studio offers a platform for children to perform on a proper stage and in a proper setting.
“Most importantly, to build confidence within themselves.”
“Our vision is to bring change to the community,” he said.
Riba added that the studio will host its first dance workshop whereby all parents are invited to bring their children who want to dance to take part in the workshop.
“We will be teaching children a variety of dances and the workshop will end with a battle between the children who participated in the workshop.”
The workshop will be held at the Mamelodi West A5 Beer Hall on February 15 from 07:00 to 15:00.
Mapheto concluded by pleading with local businessmen to help them with any form of donation for the hosting of the event, as the performance is free.
She can be contacted on 079 473 3545 and Riba on 076 293 6272.
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