POLOKWANE – After three years of waiting we are finally in the US for the American Dance Awards National championship 2023.
These are the words of Zané de Wet, the owner of Z’s Dance Studio, who said they departed on June 27.
“We arrived at JFK, New York on June 28, and after customs we took a long bus drive to Rhode Island to eventually arrive at the hotel on June 29 at 03:00.”
After a few days of climatising and sightseeing, they finally reported for the competition which is hosted from July 3-9.
In 2019, 12 of her students qualified to represent South Africa in the US in 2020, but then the pandemic followed.
“At the time, we had great sponsors who made it possible for the students to attend the extreme dance competition.”
The students competed again in the SA regionals in October 2022 with new hopes. “New qualifications were sent through, the visas were approved and here we are.”
The sponsorships assisted Loren Fortune, Jemima Ngundu, Shenique Hulme and Liesca Ferreira to attend this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
She added that the students organised several initiatives to raise money.
“From jukskei tournaments to hotrod races to bake sales, raffle ticket sales and more. We are so grateful to everyone who supported us, to make sure these students’ dreams come true. All those fundraisers helped to pay team jackets, shirts and we still have some spending money too.”
She explained the competition as a roller-coaster.
“There are over 2 000 entries, meaning dancers of more than 40 studios are competing.”
Awards are given as silver, high silver, gold, ultimate gold, and then the ultimate challenge for your highest scores. “Then there are the dance-offs, to compete to win titles for first, second and third places and with that, comes prize money.”
Shenique and Liesca delivered their hip-hop duet on July 4 and their solos on July 5, while Jemima and Loren have their hip-hop duet on July 6, with Loren’s solo also on this day. Jemima and Loren will have their solo performances on July 8.
De Wet thanked the sponsors for their contribution.
“Thank you to our community that supported us in our fundraisers. We are going to dance our hearts out.”
