Dancers of Melissa Gilfillan Dance Academy in Polokwane had the opportunity to showcase their talents and gain important experience when they put on a two-show extravaganza, Dancing Through Disney, recently.
Also participating were guest dancers from Arabesque Dance School in Pretoria, violin player Rencia Grobbelaar and gymnasts from Gymstars. Joy Cooper, owner of Arabesque Dance School, taught Gilfillan dancing when she was a young girl. She is a well-known figure in the ballet world who danced with Johannesburg Festival Ballet and then Johannesburg City Ballet. “When Margot Fonteyn visited South Africa with Michael Somes, for the production of Swan Lake, I was one of the swan leaders,” Cooper told Polokwane Observer during an impromptu interview prior to one of the shows.
Gilfillan said the production was an enormous success. “All the dancers who attend the dance academy had the opportunity to perform, giving them the chance to show their loved ones what they have learnt so far,” she said.
Both shows were well attended with dancers performing before a packed hall.
Story and photos: KAREN VENTER
>>karen@observer.co.za
