Ludik’s Acro Dance Studio (LADS) based in Witpoortjie participated in various competitions throughout the year, but two of the competitions stood out and marked huge achievements for the studio.
According to LADS coaches Zelda Lange and Maryke Ludik, their highlight of 2022 was when five of LADS’ dancers were invited by Talent Africa to participate in the Mediterranean Arts Festival in Spain in July.
The group travelled to Lloret de Mar, Barcelona, Nice, Cannes, Monte Carlo and Monaco to visit different countries, learn new cultures as well as make new friends.
“This was definitely an experience that will be treasured forever by our dancers,” said Maryke.
The competition took place in Lloret de Mar, on the beach and the LADS dancers performed well with Zihandri Lange, Bea van Niekerk and Luka Robberts awarded third places in their Solo performances.
Zihandri, Luka, Luané du Plessis and Abbigail Fourie achieved second places in their duet performances while Luané, Zihandri and Bea were place in first position in their trio performance.
In the different group performances, LADS dancers achieved two second place positions and one first place position.
“Definitely a trip to remember and we as a studio are so thankful for the opportunity presented by Talent Africa,” said Maryke.
In May, LADS participated in the Talent Africa Regionals and all dancers qualified for their Gauteng Colours and went through to participate at Nationals.
The three junior groups all obtained gold awards while the five items from the seniors received high gold awards.
In October the studio participated at Talent Africa Nationals and according to the coaches this was the most fun, well organised competition they attended this year.
LADS walked away with a silver and two gold awards with six senior groups managing to secure Diamond awards (highest award), one group was chosen for showcase with only a limited number of items were chosen for the specific showcase.
The studio also received the award for Talent Africa National Winners for Best Junior and Best Senior Group and also the Best Choreographed Group.
“To be blessed with wonderful talent and huge opportunities is definitely worth the hard work, we will forever be grateful.
“All the dancers from LADS qualified to represent South Africa at the International Competitions,” said Maryke.
LADS participated in various other competitions throughout the year. In April they participated at SA Dance Festival Champs (SADFC) with seven dance items and finished the competition with seven gold medals and three Special Awards which included flexibility, costume, unison, tricks and formations.
In June the dancers competed at Elements of Dance SA in Welkom and it was another successful day for LADS returning home with five gold awards from five items.
“We also participated with six dance items at the Show your Talent in Vanderbijl in August and we were blessed with four gold and two high gold awards,” explained Maryke.
The September NDA Revolution competition held in Sasolburg saw Cherene van Tonder receive a Gold (88%), Larien Hurn a Diploma (92%) and was also awarded Best Acro Solo of the Competition.
All three senior groups received a Diploma (93%) and one group was chosen for showcase, Luane du Plessis, Zihandri Lange and Bea van Niekerk’s trio received a Diploma (96%) and was awarded Best Trio, of all genres, for the competition.
In October LADS participated at the Middelburg Acrobatic Festival and took home various gold, silver and bronze awards, as well as Best Choreographed Group for the 7th year in a row.
Zelda Lange and Maryke Ludik, coaches of LADS, are so proud of their dancers and very thankful for the support they received, but most of all, they are thankful to God, for giving them the talent to teach their dancers.
The studio is turning 21 this year and will host their year-end concert and 21-year celebration on Saturday, December 3.
