Edelweiss dancers to jet off to London
The trio was selected out of thousands of applicants around the world.
Jaiden Anderson (11), Tshenolo Tshona (10) and Daniel Smith (10) from the Sandra Gibson Ballet Academy in Edelweiss have the once in a lifetime opportunity to dance at the Royal Ballet School in London.
The trio was selected out of thousands of applicants around the world.
“I saw an advert on the internet for a summer intensive course and I just decided to take the chance and enter a few of our dancers.
“So we took the chance with eight of them and three from our school were chosen.
“In their age group (10-11), there are roughly 40 that were chosen,” says Genevieve du Toit, their teacher.
Du Toit says entrance to the course was dependent on the dancers’ exam results, age, height weight, hours of dancing per week and photos of the dancers in specific positions.
For Jaiden, acceptance to the course was a pleasant surprise as she was unsure if she would get in.
“I was asking Genevieve every week if she had heard back from them and now that I’m in, I’m very excited,” says Anderson.
The chance to dance with the Royal Ballet School is a chance for the dancers to learn from the best in the world.
“I hope that I get stronger and fitter and when I come back to South Africa, I will be a better dancer,” says Tshona.
For Smith, it is a bonus that his first opportunity to go overseas will be combined with his favourite thing to do.
“This has strengthened my resolve to dance professionally when I get older,” says Smith.
Getting to London has been a challenge for the trio who are currently raising funds for their flights, accommodation and tuition.
They have held movie nights, a colour run and have back a buddy accounts.
To donate, contact their teacher du Toit on 065 954 2988 or via email at nogutsnoglory100@gmail.com
