Dance teacher wins global scholarship
She is not just enriching her teaching but also shaping a new generation of dancers.
Laurie Ann Shillinglaw, a devoted dance teacher, has been awarded a prestigious scholarship to do a first-year Jazz Dance Teacher qualification through the ADAPT Jazz Dance Syllabus from Canada, a programme that is transforming jazz education worldwide.
This opportunity allows Laurie to introduce this globally respected curriculum to her South African students, enhancing both their technical skills and their personal growth.
Dance has always been Laurie’s deeply personal journey. Growing up in a challenging environment, she found joy and connection through movement.
“My dance journey began at home, in my own space,” she recalls. “It was my way of coping, a connection with God. In dance, I found happiness, even amidst the hardships.”
Over time, this passion became her calling, and she poured her heart into helping others find healing and expression through dance as she teaches at Laurie Active Dance Studio.
The ADAPT Jazz Dance Syllabus is the perfect fit for Laurie’s approach to teaching, blending structure with freedom of movement.
“Jazz dance isn’t about strict lines or uniformity,” she explains. “It’s about embodying a spirit of resilience and breaking through constraints.”
ADAPT’s skill-driven framework empowers dancers with a step-by-step approach to mastering jazz techniques, from jumps to dynamic choreographed routines. Laurie believes that this syllabus brings not only skill but also mental and emotional growth to her students.
Receiving the scholarship was an emotional milestone for Laurie.
“I felt sheer amazement – realising that international opportunities like this are within our reach here in South Africa,” she says. Laurie hopes this qualification will help her studio stand out in the competitive dance industry, where the arts’ benefits for mental health and well-being are sometimes overlooked.
Laurie’s long-term goal is to develop a South African dance syllabus that incorporates acrobatics and martial arts, empowering dancers with a holistic approach to movement.
“This scholarship is more than just a qualification,” Laurie reflects. “It’s about raising the bar for dance education in South Africa and creating a supportive environment where students can thrive.”
