Local dancer making big waves in the dance world

Chloé Oberholzer (8) impressed at the South African Championships

The Laerskool Florida learner and championship dancer at DANCECORP Freestyle Dancing Studio started dancing at the studio in 2021 at only five years old. Her first competition was in the 5–6 years old Tiny Tod section.

“Fast forward two to three years later, Chloé has very swiftly moved through the tiny tot, beginner, novice, and intermediate levels. She is now dominating the 8–9 years championship sections,” said her mother, Wendy.

Chloé’s most recent event was the Dance Spectrum 8–9 Championship Slowdance in October, where she won the title and came in second in the 8–9 Championship Slowdance section at The Global Dance Extreme Freestyle Competition, which also took place in October. On the weekend of November 18 and 19, she came in the first three places in all three of her sections at the South African Freestyle and Disco Dance Championships, which was held by the South African Dance Teachers Association (SADTA) Free State Branch in Bloemfontein.

Wendy explained after dancing round after round, Chloé made all three of her finals at the SA Championships. From a first round with more than 25 dancers, she made it into the quarter-final with over 18 dancers. She then proceeded to the semi-final of 10 dancers, before she was selected as one of the top six dancers in the following sections the 8–9 Championship Slowdance section, for which she received second place, being the runner-up South African Champion as well as the 8–9 Championship Freestyle section in which she received third place and the U10 Championship Freestyle World Qualifier section in which she came in second, being the runner-up champion.

Aside from her achievements as a dancer, Chloé also passed her Badge 1 Medal Test Examination, running under the SADTA Medal Test Syllabus, with an honours average of 91%.

“Before turning eight in September, she also competed in the U7 age category. She has moved into the 8–9 age group with such grace and maturity, considering she is the baby in her section. Her coaches, Shannon Dunbar [vice principal] and Kyle Behrens [principal], are elated with her results. Not only has she exceeded all expectations, but she has shown the SA platform what Roodepoort is truly capable of! That a balance of commitment and passion for dance can truly go a long way. We aim to grow Chloe even more as a little freestyle dancer. For her to compete and place in the prerequisite qualifying competitions throughout 2024, for her to be selected or qualify to represent South Africa in the 2025 World Freestyle Dance Championship that will be held in Blackpool, United Kingdom,” concluded Wendy.

Altogether Chloe has walked away the winner in all of the following competitions this year:

• SADTA All Stars Festival – U7 Novice Freestyle

• SABOD Battle of the Giants – U7 Rising Star Slowdance and U7 Rising Star Freestyle

• Discorama Freestyle Festival – U7 Intermediate Slowdance and U7 Intermediate Freestyle

• Dance Divas Festival – U7 Intermediate Slowdance and U7 Intermediate Freestyle

• SADTA Winter Freestyle Festival – U7 Championship Slowdance

• Starquest Championships – U7 Championship Slowdance

• SADTA Gauteng Provincial Championships – U7 Championship Slowdance and U7 Championship Freestyle

• SADTA Cheetah Challenge Championships – U7 Championship Slowdance and U7 Championship Freestyle

• Supreme Dancer of the Year Championships – U7 Championship Slowdance and U7 Championship Freestyle

• Majestic Diamond Championships – U7 Championship Slowdance and U7 Championship Freestyle

• SADTA Cape Classique Championship – U10 Championship Freestyle World Qualifier

• Dance Spectrum Freestyle Championships – 8–9 Championship Slowdance