Ballerinas twirl to the top

Classical ballet dancers tutored by Melisa Gilfillan in the Cecchetti Method passed their ballet exams with flying colours recently attaining 22 distinctions (gold) and 43 merits (silver). Three of the Grade 1 Level dancers, Annemien Bekker, Amy de Beer and Martinette Potgieter, were selected to participate in the upcoming Gauteng Cecchetti Performance Awards 2017. According …

Classical ballet dancers tutored by Melisa Gilfillan in the Cecchetti Method passed their ballet exams with flying colours recently attaining 22 distinctions (gold) and 43 merits (silver).
Three of the Grade 1 Level dancers, Annemien Bekker, Amy de Beer and Martinette Potgieter, were selected to participate in the upcoming Gauteng Cecchetti Performance Awards 2017. According to Gilfillan, the Cecchetti Method is a system of training in classical ballet designed strictly on the laws of anatomy, and stresses two essential ingredients namely technical and artistic development in a dancer, as well as a sensitive, musical response to all movements.

Story and photos: KAREN VENTER
>>karen@observer.co.za

The Pre Primary Level dancers are, in front, Zara van Kraayenburg, Tapala Makwela, Ronewa Mphelo, Mieke de Lange, Keamogetswe Mathinya and Lexie Botha. In the middle row are Crown Letsoalo, Leane van der Merwe, Gracious Mugero, Cherene Pieterse, Mutshidzi Netshishivhe, Larouchelle Duvenhage and Lu-ve Venter.

Grade 1 Level dancers who passed their exams with flying colours are, in front, Mune Lessing, Lerize du Toit, Martinette Potgieter and Amy de Beer. At the back are Sheldine Bouverie; Monique Engelbrecht, Phindulokethwa Tshivenga, Annemien Becker and Benjamin Snyman. Annemien, Amy and Martinette were selected to participate in the upcoming Gauteng Cecchetti Performance Awards 2017.

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