Dancers well on their way to international colours

Fourteen dancers from Synergy Worx Dance Studio recently competed in the International Fine Arts Association (IFAA) South African Championships which cemented their place to compete in the 2023 Oceanic Championships.

Also read: The town’s dancing pride

The studio’s principal Natasha Rizzo explained that the IFAA SA Championships were held in various provinces during August and September. The Synergy Worx Dance Studio dancers competed in the championship semifinals and finals during the second and third week of September, with all 14 members making it to the final in 20 categories. In addition, 12 dancers were awarded SA colours.

To get SA colours dancers have to get above 90% during finals. One of their dancers also made the diamond team for which one has to get 95% and above.

Their achievements are as follow:

• Alice Grobler: SA colours fusion seven to 10 years
• Bella Heunes: SA colours fusion seven to 10 years
• Caylen van Greunen: SA colours contemporary 11 to 14 years
• Chante Francisco: SA colours contemporary 15 to 18 years
• Danika Bassson: SA champs finalist fusion seven to 10 years, duet fusion 15 to 18 years, and SA champion finalist

• Dwayne van der Merwe: SA colours hip hip 15 to 18 years
• Emma Chegwidden: SA finalist folk belly dance seven to 10 years
• Kananelo Mosolodi: SA colours fusion 3 to 6 years
• Merise Zeedijk: SA colours and diamond team contemporary age 15 to 18
• Sjaan-Mare Swart: SA champ finalist folk belly dance age seven to 10

• Sjaan-Mare Swart: SA champ finalist lyrical age seven to 10 years
• Stephanie van der Riet: SA colours contemporary age 19 and over
• Theresa Bezuidenhout: SA colours folk belly age 19 and over
• Theresa Bezuidenhout: SA colours contemporary age 19 and over
• Thiana Ackermann: SA colours contemporary age 15 to 18

• Thiana Ackermann: SA colours hip hip age 15 to 18
• Thiana Ackermann SA colours fusion age 15 to 18
• Trio Chante Francisco, Sjaan-Mare Swart and Stephanie van der Riet: SA champ finalists
• Unathi Maphanga: SA champ finalist fusion age seven to 10

All the dancers who made finals can now compete in the Oceanic Championships on the MSC cruise ship to the Portuguese Islands in March 2023; but only the SA colours dancers will get their International Federation colours on the day of the competition. These dancers each need R12 000 to be able to compete in March 2023. A deposit of R3 000 for each dancer is needed before September 30 and the Synergy dancers are asking their community to help them compete internationally.

Rizzo said the dancers have worked so hard; they have put in multiple hours and done many extra competitions just to qualify.

“They have pushed themselves beyond their own limits and it would be a dream come true to be recognised internationally for their talent.”

She said she felt like a proud mom.

Every one of my dancers is like my dance baby. I nurtured them from shy and unsure and watched them grow into remarkable, fearless and confident dancers. No matter what their marks … they all make me beyond proud on a daily basis.”

If you would like to support this amazing team you can contact Natasha Rizzo for a sponsor letter on 079 950 0708.