Ballet dancers raise funds for children with disabilities

A sold-out production of The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party took place at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Izotsha recently.

The production, put together by Beverly Acquisto, Acquisto Studio of Dance, involved 50 young ballet dancers performing in front of a packed audience.

Beverly ran the studio in Pretoria for many years before moving to Southbroom three years ago. She re-established the studio and now offers weekly lessons at five venues including schools and churches from Port Edward to Izotsha.

The studio is affiliated to the Royal Academy, Dance Academy of South Africa and the Association of International Dance Schools with impressive credentials. All genres of dance are offered, as well as Pilates.

Proceeds from the ticket sales are to be donated to Siyakwazi, a local, non-profit organisation which helps children with disabilities.

Siyakwazi works to ensure that every child has access to equal opportunities through inclusive education, therapy and developmental support. One of the ways they raise funds for their programmes is through a small community shop based at their resource centre inland of Munster.

“The event was a huge success and thanks to all who helped especially the members from the church. Proceeds from the ticket sales are to be donated to Siyakwazi,” said Beverly.

In a year-long project, Beverly almost single-handedly restored the hall at Southbroom Community Centre in Mbezana Drive, which had lain unused for at least 10 years. “It was in a terrible condition – everything of use had been stripped or stolen. The Southbroom Ratepayers’ Association supported the refurbishment, and we are now able to offer quality dance tuition at a superb venue.”

One of the pupils at Izotsha, four-year-old Miche Nel, is the third generation of the same family to attend Bev’s studio. Mom Marina Nel and granny Judith Smith both attended Bev’s studio when it was in Pretoria and still have their certificates from as far back as 1983.

Beverly is considering opening a Pilates class for men next year.

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