Taren dances off with world champs title

WHAT started as something Taren Gaia begrudgingly did to keep her mom from nagging her, has turned into an absolute passion for the Glenwood dancer.

Taren recently travelled to Blackpool to compete in the World Dance Masters for line dancing and danced off with the world champion title in her division.

Having always nurtured an interest in dance, she started ballet when she was five years old. She danced for 16 years, completing exams and performing in stage shows and only hung up her ballet pumps when she no longer felt motivated to continue. However, she buckled to her mom’s persuading when she was 24 and took up line dancing.

“My mom got into line dancing after seeing an article in Berea Mail, and after a lot of nagging she got me to go along to one of her classes. At first I thought that square dancing was not for me and I was told to just try a couple of steps and see what happens. I watched for a bit, then got on the floor and I loved it! It’s been a journey ever since,” she said.

Taren said it was important to dispel the idea that line dancing is country, ‘Achy Braky Heart’ sort of dancing. “It’s actually very diverse and includes a lot of different styles of dance. I really did need to get back into dancing, and this form of dance is interesting, creative and challenging,” she said.

Taren took part in her first competition three weeks after starting line dancing, and was excited to win the competition. Since then she has taken part in six SA champs, and is the undefeated SA champ. She came third in the European championships in Ireland in 2014 and has taken part in four World championships, coming fourth in 2013 and 2014, third in 2015, and skipped second this year, to come first in Blackpool this month.

“The Blackpool event was the biggest I’ve competed in so far in terms of the event and the number of competitors. The competition was extremely tough and it has become harder over the years as the standard of dancers has improved,” she said.

Taren’s performance enhancer and mental coach, Alain Rijnvis, said the dancers at the championships did not get there because they are mediocre, they were in fact serious contenders.

“In the UK, the type of dancers taking part only dance in competitions and are constantly training. Most of them go to dance academies. This is one of the most prestigious venues, synonymous with the best dancing in the world, and it is an honour to dance there. To win the champs there is a dream come true for any dancer,” he said.

And a dream come true it was for Taren, who was thrilled with her win.

“I was completely shocked! I have danced with the top three before and when they called third, I thought ‘thank goodness I didn’t come third again’, and then second was called and it wasn’t me. When my name was called as the winner, I was numb, I was completely shocked and the director kept reassuring me that it was actually real. It was overwhelming!” she said.

Taren said the level of camaraderie among the South African dancers was phenomenal and they were all very happy for her.

“The response to my win was incredible. It was one of the toughest sections and the other dancers have seen me grow and work to get to that point,” she said.

Alain, who has worked with Taren for the past 18 months, said he was ecstatic to hear of her win, and wished he could’ve been there.

“We were on tenterhooks all day while we were busy with rehearsals for Shall We Dance, but everyone’s thoughts and prayers were with Taren. It was very exciting! She has won all her competitions this year and this was a stepping stone towards her goal. She is an excellent student and really applies herself and listens to everything I say. This shows her character and her determination to do something with what I’ve told her, using her own initiative to develop as well as musicality to make it her own. For any coach, for a student to achieve her goals is amazing, and I couldn’t be prouder,” he said.

This is not the end for Taren as this win is just a stepping stone for her.

“The tools are in place and she has a lot more to offer. The world is in for a treat and must enjoy her journey. We’re already playing around with music and steps and our ultimate goal is to be the first All Star Open Champion. It’s going to be a journey ahead and we are aiming for her to be the master line dancer!” he said.

Taren said she would like to put together a team event to dispel the notion that a team has to come from one single studio. She hopes to get dancers together from different studios to perform as a South African team.

Taren teaches social line dancing at different venues around Durban. During the day, she is a chartered accountant.

Her other hobbies include spending time with her family, reading, choreographing and doing decopage.

“I just want to thank my family, Alain, Fleur de Waal from Fleur Designs, Melloney Rijnvis from D2DI/Leopard Strass and Lesley Klewinghaus from Just Lashes for their support and assistance in my journey to winning the Worlds. Their support means the world to me!” said Taren.

If you would like to find out more about line dancing, contact Taren on taren@fusodanse.co.za,

Interested inidividuals can go along to the next line dancing event with the director of the World Dance Masters, Nicole Lafferty, at the Hillcrest Library on 15 October. Contact Taren to find out more.