Another superstar dancer from Alberton
She qualified to compete in competitions in Croatia and the USA but decided to focus on her schoolwork.
ALBERTON seems to be bursting with potential, with dancers showing talent on international standards.
The RECORD spoke to Kiara Chester, a matric student whose team recently won the IDO Jazz, Ballet and Modern Dance World Championships.
Kiara, who turns 18 this year, is a resident of New Market and matric student from the Reddam House high school in Bedfordview. She started dancing when she was only four years old.
Her mother, Lana Chester, encouraged her to start dancing since she also used to love it. Lana put Kiara in a tap dancing class and, even though she did not enjoy it at first, Kiara learned to love it more and more with every dance class she attended.
More of a hobby
To stay excellent at dancing, Kiara is required to practice every day, and she alternates between studios in Glenvista, Pretoria and Northcliff. There are three dance coaches that teach her – Daniel Swanepoel, Fayme Hattingh and Mitja Popovski (a coach from Poland).
Unfortunately, due to the fact that a matric learner needs to be very devoted to her academic performance throughout the year, Kiara has put her dancing on hold for the moment. However, she wants to resume dancing when she goes to university to hopefully study genetic engineering.
“Even though I really enjoy dancing and I’m passionate about it, it’s more of a hobby for me than a career option.
“However, let’s say I got an opportunity to go dance on a cruise liner for a year and travel around the Mediterranean seas, I might change my mind,” said Kiara with a chuckle.
“To be a burlesque dancer in Broadway would, of course, be the ultimate dream!”
Emotional moments
Kiara left South Africa this past November to compete in the IDO (International Dance Organisation) Jazz, Ballet and Modern Dance Championships that took place in Poland. She won three gold medals, and her team, Team United, won lots of prizes overall.
These include six big speakers worth R10 000 each, 11 gold and 13 silver medals. Not to mention, a lot of self-confidence! Kiara returned safely to South Africa on December 9.
“The experience of winning was amazing,” said Kiara.
“Everyone cried when our national flag was displayed on the big screen. It was even more emotional when the national anthem played – the music suddenly stopped, but the whole crowd kept singing along.
“It was so moving.”
She qualified to compete in competitions in Croatia and the USA but she’s decided to give it a skip this time and focus on her schoolwork.
Kiara said she owes her gratitude to her mother and grandmother, Beverley Carnell, for being her biggest inspirations and supporters.
She is also inspired by Demi Lovato for being such a powerful role model to whom many young girls can relate.
A final message to readers from Kiara: “Dancers deserve professional recognition because a lot of time, effort and exercise go into it. Dancing should be recognised as a sport and not just another hobby.
“I am honoured to have made it so far!”
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