Local twins dazzle on the American stage at Dance Awards

In a remarkable journey filled with hard work and determination, 13-year-old twins Sheah and Kiana Mann recently represented South Africa at the prestigious American Dance Awards in Rhode Island, showcasing not only their incredible talent but also their unique bond as sisters.

Non-identical in every sense, each with distinct personalities and passions, they have proven that dedication and dreams can indeed lead to success. For both sisters, the experience of dancing on an American stage was nothing short of surreal.

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“Dancing on an American stage felt slightly unreal to me. It was nerve-wracking, performing in front of American professional judges on such a huge stage, but it felt amazing,” said Kiana, who primarily focuses on ballet and aerials. She found that the exhilaration of competing on an international level was transformative.

Sheah also could not hide how proud she is, “it made me realize how much I love the sport of dancing. Not everyone gets the opportunity to go to this amazing country, and I am so grateful that I got to.” With a broad repertoire including ballet, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, and more, Sheah demonstrated her love for dance through impressive performances that captured the attention of the audience.

Their hard work paid off as they faced stiff competition from talented dancers from across the globe. Sheah participated in an impressive 13 dances, including three solos, while Kiana took the stage with three group dances. Both girls earned accolades that highlighted their perseverance.

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Kiana won gold medals for her contemporary small group and ballet trio performances, and achieved an Ultimate Gold for her contemporary extended group. Similarly, Sheah won Gold for her jazz solo and lyrical solo, in addition to several other group performances, securing an All-Star Award for her contemporary solo.

Representing their country was a profound honor for both siblings. “It felt amazing,” Kiana said, reflecting on the pride she felt. “To represent South Africa overseas was an unforgettable experience. I felt very proud of my country. America is so different from ours, and it made us appreciate our country even more.” Said Sheah.

As they look toward future competitions, including the South African Dance School Champs and qualifiers for Dance Star in Croatia, the twins’ experience serves as a beacon of inspiration for young artists everywhere.

With their remarkable journey and the bond they share, there’s no doubt that Sheah and Kiana will continue to shine brightly, representing the spirit of South Africa wherever they go.

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