Ballerina, Mieke Bester, 11, beams with poise and panache, she recently performed in the American Academy of Ballet awards and was presented with a bursary to study in New York. The little ballerina studies the art at the Wendy Reinhardt Dance Academy. She was instantly captivated by the elegant dance form when she watched a performance on television. She can glide gracefully across the dance studio and has received several certificates of honour. While it was initially difficult for her to learn the age-old dance technique, she mastered it in no time. The theatrical dance combines formal academic dance method with artistic elements such as music, costume, and stage scenery. Its origins trace back to the Italian Renaissance when it was developed as court entertainment. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the dance technique became formalised. Mieke, who simply loves being a ballerina, trains twice a week for an hour and recently started dancing in pointe shoes. These are specially made to be worn by ballerinas to allow them to dance on the tips of their toes. She also pursued gymnastics for a while, but prefers ballet. 
“Wearing pointe shoes makes me feel like a ballerina. It is wonderful to dance and I am friends with all of the other girls. Our teachers choose songs and choreograph our dances. Dancing solo is easier, because, in a group, every ballerina has to be perfect.”
She dreams of being selected to perform in a rendition of the Snow Queen at the Durban Playhouse next year. She will continue studying technique at the KZN Dance Academy in Durban for more advance training with renowned ballet teachers Yvonne Barker and Margie Marnewick.
“She is simply stunning,” said her teacher Wendy. “When the judicature saw Mieke’s performance, she said she got goosebumps. She has a star-like quality that beams out of her when she performs. KZN is known for producing incredible ballerinas and Mieke will be one of them as well.”
The petite girl also enjoys playing hockey and is inspired by American ballerina, Misty Copeland.
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