Dancing her way to the top
At one stage in her life Mikayla Deverneuil (14), did not want to dance but today it's something she can't dream of not doing.
POLOKWANE – Dancing is Mikayla’s life and she dreams of becoming a dance instructor. “I’ve been dancing for 10 years now. My grandfather used to work as a manager in the area where Universe of Rhythm and Dance School (URD) is located and I used to visit him every day after school. My mom told me to join the dancers but I was reluctant and did not want to join the dance school.
Later I was introduced to Jouney-Anne Steenkamp, owner of the school, and I then fell in love with dancing.”
She explains that the school teaches her solo Latin American dancing which includes Latin, Energy and Classic.
“I prefer Classic dance. It describes me best as it is gentle, yet hard and flirtatious. I love Energy too, but am not comfortable with hip-hop.”
She explains that she participated in her first competition at the age of seven or eight and that she achieved a bronze medal.
“I remember I was very angry, but then my mom pointed out that I had participated against girls that were much more experienced than I was.”
“I only realised a few years later how good I actually am at dancing by winning gold in the South African Championships. I had the very best support from my family and friends during that competition.”
Last year she participated again in the South African Championships and has decided not to participate in competitions this year that are not local.
“The best thing about dancing is that you can express your moods. Every time I hear music I just want to dance.
“I dance around the house all the time. I am extremely hard on myself and the hardest is when I disappoint myself
or let myself down.”
Mikayla dreams of opening her own dance studio and said that she recently saw a building in the city that would work perfectly to attain this dream.
