Eleven-year-old Tatijana Ignjatov, from Bishop Bavin, recently competed in the Dance World Cup South Africa qualifier and the Battle of the Giants.
The Dance World Cup qualifier was held in Centurion while the Battle of the Giants was held at Sun City.
Dance World Cup South Africa qualifiers is a competition for young amateur dancers to compete against the best dancers in South Africa.
The competition also gives dancers an opportunity to qualify to be part of the SA dance team that will compete at the Dance World Cup Finals, in Germany 2017.
The different disciplines judged include ballet and character, fusion ballet, modern and contemporary, jazz and showdance, tap dance, national and folklore dance, song and dance, as well as hip hop and street dance.
Ignjatov competed in jazz, modern and acro dance with outstanding results. She took first place in the ages 10 to 12, with the number of children in each section ranging from 77 to 150 competitors. In ballet she placed fifth in the children category and was invited to the last prize-giving ceremony where she was awarded Best Child Talent.
The South African Body of Dance (SABOD), in conjunction with Sun International, hosted the 2017 Battle of the Giants All Styles Dance Sport Festival at Sun City.
The event attracted over 1 000 dancers who competed in all dance styles.
Ignjatov competed in jazz, modern and showdance in the under 11 World Trial Circuit.
She was awarded first place for all her styles.
During the event a gala night was held where Ignjatov was invited as a guest to perform for the audience and judges.
She is part of the Unity SA Dance Team, which competed at the Battle of the Giants, and they fared well, placing second in the Junior section, 12 to 15 age category, for small group modern, and formation jazz and modern.
Her choreographer, Hope Maimane, was very pleased with her performances and her ability to move the audience.
Maimane said he honestly forgets that she is only 11 years old.
Ignjatov is part of a show called, Night with the Stars, which will be showcased at the Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City, on May 19, 20 and 21. The show will feature the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra, conducted by Eddie Clayton, in collaboration with Born to Perform, produced and directed by Bryan Schimmel, Gemma Marinus and Matthew Marinus. Tickets can be booked at Computicket.
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