No Limits Academy International (NLAI), a dance academy in Eldorado Park says through its name that anything is possible. There is no such thing as ‘I cannot dance’.
Everybody has the natural capacity to dance, whether you have rhythm or not. Jonathan Retief, the founder of the academy, has a way of making sure that you go beyond the limits you impose on yourself.
From starting the school on the field at Cavendish Primary School to building a legacy, where accolades are coming in thick and fast.
The young dancer has taught children who thought that they could never be dancers, literally creating artists in the dance industry from the ground up and taking these artists locally, nationally and eventually internationally recognised.
Retief said, “We are a growing dance family based in Eldorado Park. Our aim is to educate, mould and expose our youth as well as our kids to all the opportunities that are lined up for dancers in our industry.
“This is more than us trying to make money or gain fame. When you join us, you join a family of people who share the same passion as you.”
Many people have seen the potential that Retief and his dancers have – so much so that they have been sponsored with their very own No Limits Academy bottled water.
On July 28, Spartans, a dance crew from No Limits Academy were crowned the dance crew of the night as they brought home the gold as winners of the ‘battle of the dance crews’ that consisted of various dance crews from all over the South, Spartans danced their hearts out as they earned bragging rights at the end of the battle.
More of their recent accolades include being crowned victorious at Talent Africa, Euro Dance Fest that has led them to represent South Africa in Serbia in November this year.
The Spartans have qualified for the provincial leg of Dance to San Diego (South African Champs). NLAI will be defending their SA Dance School title in September this year.
They will also be performing at the Dance Explosion hosted by the Eldos Arts and Jazz foundation and competing in the Dance Star Qualifier to represent SA in Croatia in May 2018.
To be a part of this adventurous dance journey yourself or if you have a little dancer of your own, R150 is the once-off registration fee following a monthly R150.
Catch Retief and his dancers at rehearsals from Monday to Friday between 3.30 pm and 4 pm at Don Mateman Civic Centre Hall. As part of an academy fundraising initiative, they also have for bottled for sale at R10.
Retief said, “No Limits is home to SA Champions already and we’ve only entered our fourth year of existence. This should speak about the quality of training we offer.
“Currently home to 35 to 40 dancers, our aim is to end off this year with 50 or more kids joining us.
“We are also currently planning on opening a second studio in Vanderbijl Park between September and the end of this year.”
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