Irish lass wins dance award

LOCAL dancer Jessica Charls recently performed at the KZN Midlands Highland Gathering at Michaelhouse in Nottingham Road.

At the event the bubbly 17-year old was awarded the ‘Most promising Celtic dancer’ award.

Jessica said she’s been a dancer most of her life. “I started with ballet and modern dancing at the age of two,” she said.

She only started with Celtic dancing three years ago: “I am Irish and I have always wanted to do Celtic dancing, but never knew anyone who was involved in that style of dance. Then one day we saw Celtic dancers performing at The Love of Dance show and we approached the teacher, Bronwyn Parker, of Parker Studio of Celtic Dance,” said Jessica.

Jessica said she found the new style of dancing very exciting: “It is not so difficult. My experience with ballet and modern dance has helped a lot. The ballet has helped me adapt to the lifts and jumps involved in Celtic dance, while modern dance has given me the core strength I require for the style of dance,” she said.

“I only do Celtic dancing now – practicing and competitions,” she said.