Taking to the streets to gain support, local dancer Paige Collins, 12, is determined to raise the funds she needs to showcase her dancing at the Dancestar World Finals in Croatia in May.
Paige, 12, and her mother Tracy have been collecting money on Old Transkei Road every week in an effort to raise the R65,000 needed for Paige to make it to the finals.
“I’ve been given the chance to perform on the world stage against the best of the best and I feel so honoured to represent my country. This will be my first time dancing overseas,” Paige said.
The young dancer trains with Nicole Windell at the Steps of Style Dance Studio and was chosen to compete at the world finals after her performance at the Dancestar South African national qualifying round in October last year.
Paige said her dance teacher, Windell, had always pushed her to do her best.
“She’s a very technical teacher and never lets one misplaced foot, knee or arm go unnoticed, which has really helped me.
“At competitions, the judges look for performance and technical ability, which scores the highest percentage,” said Paige, who has been training every weekend for the last five months.
Paige and her her mother stand at the robots and collect coins from motorists and passersby twice a week.
The pair can be seen collecting funds every Tuesday and Thursday and have raised R25,000 to date.
“The public have been very supportive and very kind to us. We are so grateful to everyone who has generously given donations to Paige,” said Tracy.
Competing in the world finals in the junior category, Paige will be exhibiting her dancing skills in ballet, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre and tap routines as a soloist.
“My favourite styles are contemporary and jazz. I can express my emotions through contemporary. It’s like being in my own world,” Paige said...