Dancers enjoy scholarship in LA
MIDRAND - Four female dancers of Studio Seven in Midrand spent a few weeks in Los Angeles (LA) on a month-long scholarship at Millenium Dance Company, a commercial dance company.
Jade Lavarone, Katlyn Gouvias, Deanne Morris and Courtney Isaacs, who are part of an energetic hip-hop dance team known as Pulse Injected, told Midrand Reporter that they enjoyed their time in LA.
The dancers and their coach, Corlanie Botha, told the newspaper how they got to dance with the popular Dance Moms dance team and danced in a flash mob with some of the famous Step Up 5 movie cast.
They added, “We also had a chance to dance with dancers and choreographers who work with Chris Brown, Justin Bieber and Britney Spears and more. At first, it was overwhelming dancing with professional dancers, a bit intimidating but it was a chance of a lifetime. The second week we relaxed and got into the choreography well.”
The team also mentioned that, besides the jet lag, they enjoyed the exposure they received and being able to meet choreographer Anze Skrube, who choreographed for one of Chris Brown’s music videos.
Speaking about taking on dance as a full-time career they said, “Three of us won’t dance full time after we finish school, except for Lavarone who wants to be a dance teacher.” Isaacs wants to be a sports physician, Gouvias a marine biologist, and Morris wants to go into Sports Science.
Botha said she coaches two other dance students in Midrand, and her other clients are spread out across the province. She said, “Skrube trained the girls. I am proud of how far they have come in their dance careers.”
David Gouvias, Katlyn’s father, said his daughter asked to start dancing two years ago. “I have always supported her, I did not expect her to come this far. She has made me proud.”
Antoinette Morris, Deanne’s mother said she is grateful to friends and family who sponsored the trip to LA.
The dancers’ manager, Irene Lavarone, said they plan to teach children in the community dancing for free. “Anyone who is interested can contact us and we will offer free lessons to them.”
The girls will take part in the Gauteng auditions in February to qualify for the national competition in April for the South Africa Performing Arts, and later they hope to qualify for team South Africa again to go to the world championships of performing arts in Hollywood in July.
Details: For free dance lessons for a limited time e-mail corlaniebotha@gmail.com
Watch video of girls dancing here:
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