It all started with a cartwheel in class and quickly progressed to the international stage.
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Five students from the DC Acrobats Studio in Noordheuwel have been selected to represent South Africa in New York in July 2023. The announcement was made in the first week of October. Co-owners and coaches Chantelle Seyffert and Debbie van Staden are incredibly proud of Kyla Minnaar, Lika de Wet, Meagan Taljaardt, Mieke Vorster and Milea Harris for this big achievement.
The two categories that they entered and qualified for are solo and duet.
The first six months of the year, students competed in various rounds where some even qualified for West Rand colours (regional colours). Some then went on to compete in the inter-provincial where all the regions came together again and there were rounds where the finalists were sent to nationals. There, the first six placings were announced at nationals.
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Seyffert explained how the national team from the DC Acrobat was formed. “Originally we had 42 students who competed in the West Rand regional competition of which about 27 qualified for the West Rand team. A total of 24 then went to the inter-provincial. Five students from the DC Acrobat studio qualified to compete for nationals which was hosted in Pretoria,” she explained.
“A total of 33 of our girls participated at the Talent Africa Nationals competition and also qualified to receive their regional federation colours for performing arts and as result of the marks received, 10 of the girls then went on to qualify for entry into the International Performing Arts Championship scheduled to be held in New York in July 2023,” Seyffert shared with pure excitement.
“I am extremely proud of them,” she said, adding the youngest student turned five this year and was able to qualify.
Seyffert explained further that the love for dancing is the ultimate motivation for these youngsters.
“A dancer’s life is not just in the studio or on stage, the lessons you learn there takes you through life.”
