Dancers from Julie-Ann School of Dance (JSD) delivered an outstanding performance at the DTMA Mpumalanga Trials at the Evander Recreational Club from July 16 to 19, with every participant qualifying for the DTMA Mpumalanga Provincial Round, which will take place in August.

The dancers impressed judges across multiple dance styles, earning numerous special awards, overall titles and podium finishes during the three-day event.

Special awards recognised individual qualities, including Hannah Wildey (cuteness award), Karla Coetzer (confidence award), Amjah Pretorius (Stage Presence Award), Nkanyezi Sibanyoni (dedication award), Zuandri Joubert (great facials), Hailey van der Berg (great potential and strong performance), Mickaylla van der Merwe (great energy and technique), and Aleah van Nieuwenhuizen (great acrobatics for her age).

JSD also celebrated an impressive list of overall category winners:

• Aarya Fourie – overall petite hip hop
• Mia-Lee Visser – overall junior beginner hip hop and overall junior disco beginner
• Milandri Meyers – overall junior hip hop novice and overall junior disco novice
• Carla van der Merwe – overall Senior Hip Hop Novice
• Leja Viljoen and Amjah Pretorius – overall junior contemporary novice
• Zuandri Joubert – overall senior beginner contemporary
• Kiarah Fourie – overall senior contemporary novice, overall open novice and overall senior jazz
• Hannah Wildey – overall petite modern
• Kwazi Matula – overall pre-junior modern beginner and overall pre-junior acrobatic
• Amjah Pretorius – overall junior lyrical
• Nkanyezi Sibanyoni – overall junior pre-amateur acrobatic
• Hailey Smit – overall senior acrobatic
• Ame Deetlefs – overall petite open
• Milanica Maritz – overall petite freestyle
• Aleah van Nieuwenhuizen – overall pre-junior freestyle beginner
• Mieke Maritz – overall junior freestyle beginner
• Leja Viljoen – overall junior freestyle pre-amateur
• Anja Labuschagne – overall senior freestyle novice
• Diane van Wyk – overall pre-junior disco
• Emma Te Water – overall senior disco novice
• Hailey van der Berg – overall senior disco pre-amateur
• Mieke Maritz and Milanica Maritz – overall DTQ junior beginner
• Kayla Engels and Penelope Mullineux – overall DTQ senior novice

In addition to the overall titles, the school amassed an impressive number of 22 first, 17 second and 23 third-place finishes, as well as participation awards across the various dance disciplines.

The outstanding results reflect the dedication and hard work of both the dancers and their coaches, with the school now looking forward to representing the region at the DTMA Mpumalanga Provincial Round in August.