A GROUP of dancers from KZN Rhythm and Dance studio in Kloof recently qualified to take part in the line dance championship in Blackpool, England in August this year.
The dance studio first opened its doors in 2001 under the tutelage of experienced dancer, Sara de Koning. The studio trains and teaches local dancers in various styles of dance, from line dancing and ballroom to Latin, hip-hop and belly dancing. Sara has a host of championship titles under her belt and is now also helping others to achieve their dancing goals.
The team of dancers, who have qualified to take part in the international event and will be representing South Africa, are Charmaine Kelly, Jessica Meyer, Gail Byng, Samantha Morrick, Sara de Koning, Janine Thompson and Sherylee Wood. “Dancing does not receive funding from the government and dancers have to provide funding out of their own pockets to represent their province and their country. Dancing has also been on the decline in KZN and I would like to keep the interest of dance alive through competitive representation of our local community dancers in national and international events,” said Sara de Koning, owner of KZN Rhythm and Dance.
To help fundraise for the trip, the dance group will host the Line Up Dance Festival at the Kloof Town Hall on Saturday 18 June and invite all other dance studios to attend and compete. It is open to all different genres and the public are invited to attend. Entrance is R60 for adults and R30 for pensioners, pupils and students. Registration for dancers will start at noon and the competition will begin at 1pm. So swing past to catch local dancers compete in line dancing, ballroom, Latin, hip-hop and contemporary.
“These dancers have worked extremely hard to reach this level of dance and it is not a pastime for them, it has become their lifestyle,” said Sara.
Highway residents and corporates that would like to make a donation towards the dancers competing overseas can contact 072 394 5847.
