Dance has always been an integral part of their lives, even before they met.
Brakpan couple Alison Booysen (34) and Leon Wessels (40) have been in partnership since 2017 and have been heating up the dance floor since.
“We are now prepping for the Rumba in the Jungle International Dance Festival in October where Leon and I will perform in the professional Latin American, line dancing, country couples and show dance categories,” explained Alison.
“It’s an international event so we are expecting intense competition. The practice never stops, there’s always more to do, more to learn and more to train for.”
Alison has been dancing for 20 years and Leon for 15.
The couple, who live along Escombe Avenue, is taking big steps as they try their best to ensure a bright future for themselves and others.
“You can’t get a job in dancing unless you have a portfolio and you can’t get a portfolio without getting jobs and gaining experience,” said Alison.
“Our main goal is top quality training on an international level and as is in any other sport, to be the best.
“We teach from the East Rand Children’s Haven in Muriel Brand Street. We get to see the children and work with them regularly and watch them grow.
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“I’ve been in the industry for many years and I know how difficult it is to find jobs as a teacher and an entertainer.
“We decided to start training children to teach, to do shows, to dance. Whenever we can, we incorporate our students into shows so that they can build up a rapport as an entertainer.
“I have been teaching since I turned 19 and Leon since he was 30. It’s been ideal to spend the most important part of our lives together as a team.”
While the couple is married, Alison kept her maiden surname for her credentials.
“I have a diploma in event management, sports nutrition, sports massage, sports psychology and body correction,” she explained.
“My passion has always been the human body and music. It was only natural that dance would be the ideal aspect. My drive is to manipulate the body into extraordinary things.
“Most of our free time, we spend discussing dancing and technique, right into the early hours of the morning, debating new techniques, old techniques and the development thereof. When we stop talking to each other, we play PC games.”
Leon is excited to see what the future has in store for them at the upcoming event.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Thelma Koorts (editor) brakpanherald@caxton.co.za or Stacy Slatter (news editor) stacys@caxton.co.za
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