Forty years on – dance remains Ruth’s passion
She describes dance as a form of communication to instil love and joy.
Now in her 40th year of teaching dance, it’s not just a job for Ruth Fanner but a passion and gift from God.
One can hear the strong emotion in her voice as she talks of her journey so far.
She has put hundreds of students through their paces in various dance forms such as modern, tap, hip hop, contemporary, musical and Christian worship.
ALSO READ : Dance show was en pointe
And at the ripe old age of 60, she also started teaching classical ballet.
It all began for Ruth at the age of five when she was sent to dance classes because of her clumsiness.
“It was my punishment,”she laughed. Now four decades years later, it is very much ingrained into her day-to-day life.
However, through it all, she never wanted to be a professional dancer.
Currently, Ruth coaches 64 students at her home studio, Ruth Jakeman-Fanner Studio of Dancing in Oslo Beach, built by her husband, Mike 23 years ago.
“Dance is a form of communication where I can instil love, joy and relationships in my students,” she said.
Ruth also keeps in contact with former students.
“It’s not about being the best ballerina – I love the ones who struggle and then blossom – every dance teacher’s dream.”
In 2019, through the Christian Dance Federation of South Africa, Ruth attended an international congress in India.
She described it as an amazing experience of culture, colours and forming of great friendships.
“I was able to take my dance to another country, bring joy to other people without having met them.”
Locally, she is part of Potters Praise Dance Group, a church worship dance group which was started in 2006.
The group has danced all over the country, including at the Soccer World Cup held in South Africa in 2010.
Besides dance, Ruth also enjoys travelling, taking art lessons where she had done a few paintings, reading and music.
Her life statement, she said, was taken from Colossians 3:23: ”Whatever you do, work at it with your whole heart as if to serve the Lord”.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
To receive our FREE email newsletter, click HERE
