Megan (16) dances her way to the top
16-year-old Megan Gerber from Alberton has just become the youngest ever member to be appointed as a dancer in the corps de ballet at the Joburg Ballet company.
ALBERTON – 16-year-old Megan Gerber has become the youngest ever member to be appointed as a dancer in the corps de ballet at the world class Joburg Ballet company.
Megan was born in Edenvale, grew up in Highlands North and moved to Alberton two years ago. She attended Linksfield Primary School from Grade R to seven. During this time she was a monitor, prefect and house captain and took part in many cultural activities and sports.
“My favourite sport was netball but I did swimming, cross-country and athletics. I had to choose between sport and ballet in high school. I was at the age where ballet is either just a hobby or a career choice, so I gave up other sports and really started focusing on my ballet.”
Megan was also the top academic achiever each year. By the time she attended Edenvale High school juggling ballet and school became increasingly difficult.
“I made the choice to do home schooling and I’m currently in Grade 11.”
The Russian ballerina Natalia Osipova, inspires Megan the most. “I can watch her for hours on YouTube, learning something new in every step she takes. She has the most incredible jump and ballon, and she makes everything look so effortless.”
Her parents and sister have played a huge role in her choices and their support has made it all possible.
“They attended every single eisteddfod and performance, encouraging me to just do my best.”
Being the youngest ever member of the Joburg Ballet company, is a dream come true for Megan. “I was with the Joburg Ballet Academy for four years, working with company members and taking part in productions, so it is still unreal to think that I am now in the corps de ballet, and that young dancers will be able to look up to me the same way that I looked up to the Joburg Ballet dancers.
“I get to grow and develop with a professional company, it is any young dancer’s dream. I wake up content, knowing that I get to do what I love every day as a full-time career.
“When I knew that I wanted this to be my career, I never let anything hold me back. Hours of training and stretching has paid off, not to mention the sacrifices I had to make. All of it moulded me into the dancer I am.”
Megan admires the beautiful music and choreography of Romeo and Juliet and La Bayadère. “I was fortunate enough to dance in La Bayadère last year with Joburg Ballet as an academy student. La Bayadère has drama, a great storyline and wonderful music, with the most beautiful Kingdom of the Shades scene, so it is a definite must see.”
A few weeks Megan was a finalist at the Genée International Ballet Competition, held at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in the UK.
“It was quite overwhelming performing in front of more than 1 500 people on an international stage, but it was an experience I will never forget.
“The Bolshoi Theatre and Palais Garnier are first on my wish list. The architecture, design and rich history make them both so unique and it would be spine-tingling to grace their stages one day.”
Megan will be dancing in Les Sylphides as part of the Joburg Ballet’s Studio Soirees from October 31. To book phone 011 877 6898 during office hours or e-mail edgar@joburgballet.com
