A group of East London dancers returned this week from Los Angeles with a sack-load of medals and trophies, after competing in this year’s prestigious World Championships of Performing Arts in Los Angeles.Dubbed the “Olympics” of the performing arts, singers, musicians, dancers, actors and models from more than 50 countries competed against each other in a week-long extravaganza of performances, workshops and “go sees”, in which aspiring artists have an opportunity to network with scouts and industry heavyweights.
East London dancers Chace Collett, 17, Jemima Kruger, 12, Dana du Preez, 15, Camdon Dicks, 15, Azu Mini, 17, and Caitlin Young, 24, and dance instructor Ashley Behrens, showed they have what it takes to excel on an international platform by each winning multiple medals in a variety of categories and divisions.
Local dance sensation Chace Collett, a Merrifield Grade 12 pupil who has attended the competition three times, made the biggest impression on the judging panel.
In addition to a clutch of medals, Collett and her dance partner and fellow Merrifield pupil, Jemima Kruger, also won the overall title of the junior grand champions of the world in performing arts for their duet called Garden of Eden.
“It feels really nice,” said Collett, who excels in most dance styles.
“We were not expecting that and were speechless when it was announced.”
Jemima, who has never travelled overseas before and who started ballet when she was three, said she “got a big shock” when she and Collett won the top overall trophy.
“I was so happy. My mom was crying and my dad put it all over Facebook,” she said.
Collett also swept the boards in the senior division when she and dance partner Ashley Behrens won the senior grand champion of the world award for their contemporary piece that featured “lots of lifts”.
“We were invited to the VIP party with the judges and talent scouts.”
Collett said a representative of the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil congratulated her and Behrens.
“He said we should send them a video audition,” said the dancer, who dreams of dancing in a Celine Dion extravaganza.
“But I’d also love to dance for Cirque du Soleil or study at Joffrey Ballet school or the Alvin Ailey dance school in New York,” she said.
Dana du Preez, 15, said: “It was awesome, although the stage was in a T-shape and we were not allowed to space beforehand.”
Du Preez was paired with Selborne College’s Camdon Dicks, 15, who won five gold medals and said the competition was tough but exciting.
EL dancers shine in Los Angeles world champs
East London dancers Chace Collett, 17, Jemima Kruger, 12, Dana du Preez, 15, Camdon Dicks, 15, Azu Mini, 17, and Caitlin Young, 24, and dance instructor Ashley Behrens, showed they have what it takes to excel on an international platform by each winning multiple medals in a variety of categories and divisions.
Local dance sensation Chace Collett, a Merrifield Grade 12 pupil who has attended the competition three times, made the biggest impression on the judging panel.
In addition to a clutch of medals, Collett and her dance partner and fellow Merrifield pupil, Jemima Kruger, also won the overall title of the junior grand champions of the world in performing arts for their duet called Garden of Eden.
“It feels really nice,” said Collett, who excels in most dance styles.
“We were not expecting that and were speechless when it was announced.”
Jemima, who has never travelled overseas before and who started ballet when she was three, said she “got a big shock” when she and Collett won the top overall trophy.
“I was so happy. My mom was crying and my dad put it all over Facebook,” she said.
Collett also swept the boards in the senior division when she and dance partner Ashley Behrens won the senior grand champion of the world award for their contemporary piece that featured “lots of lifts”.
“We were invited to the VIP party with the judges and talent scouts.”
Collett said a representative of the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil congratulated her and Behrens.
“He said we should send them a video audition,” said the dancer, who dreams of dancing in a Celine Dion extravaganza.
“But I’d also love to dance for Cirque du Soleil or study at Joffrey Ballet school or the Alvin Ailey dance school in New York,” she said.
Dana du Preez, 15, said: “It was awesome, although the stage was in a T-shape and we were not allowed to space beforehand.”
Du Preez was paired with Selborne College’s Camdon Dicks, 15, who won five gold medals and said the competition was tough but exciting.
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