Two dancers, one dream of the Big Apple

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KNYSNA NEWS - A Zumbathon to be held next Saturday, 25 March, and a raffle with leisure and lifestyle prizes worth R51 000 are finding their way on the to-do-list of many dance enthusiasts.

The main purpose of this fundraiser is to help two brilliant teenage dancers realise their dream - attending the American Academy of Ballet's Summer School programme in New York, in July.

Cayden Bean (15) and Rikhardt van Niekerk (14), both students of the Sidwell Roman School of Ballet, were awarded a partial scholarship to attend the programme. However, they have to come up with the balance amount of well over R100 000. Without a bursary, the total cost of the programme alone is 6 795 US dollars per student.

The two dancers will spend a month in New York, accommodation and meals included, dancing eight hours a day.

The fundraiser is driven by Celine de Villiers, the administrator of the Sidwell Roman School of Ballet. "She has arranged absolutely everything and has been amazing!" said Cayden's mom, Bronwyn Mulrooney. Bronwyn herself has been driving Cayden's private fundraising since last June.

PHOTO GALLERY: Join the Zumbathon for a good cause!

Asked how he feels about his adventure, Cayden said he is so grateful for this opportunity, for his teachers, and all the support and donations he received so far to help him get to New York and have this incredible experience.

"I'm really looking forward to getting a proper glimpse of what it means to be a professional ballet dancer. I'm beyond excited to go to one of the biggest cities in the world, given that I've never travelled outside of South Africa before. It's the city that never sleeps, and I don't think I'll be getting much sleep either from all the excitement – and dancing, of course!"

Rikhardt said he thinks this is an opportunity of a lifetime. "I am nervous and excited at the same time. Nervous because of the level at which I will find myself and excited for the learning opportunity and to dance with dancers from all over the world."

Cayden on stage with Singing in the Rain, the solo performance with which he won gold at the Cape Town Eisteddfod last year.

Hours of practice

Cayden is particularly passionate about the rigorous training involved in ballet compared with other dancing styles. "He enjoys the precision and the hours of practice to get something right," said Bronwyn.

"And every day when he is not in studio training with Abbi Geldenhuys in George (the Cecchetti ballet method), Sidwell Roman in Knysna (the Royal Academy of Dance ballet method) or Linda Johnson at York High School (jazz style), he is at home using the kitchen counter as a barre, and working all the basic exercises: plie, tendu, releve and pirouettes.

"We make supper around him sometimes! He never stops training. He also does strength and stretch training every day after school, at home, in between his two little brothers and all their mess, and three dogs running in and out – it's chaos!! He wears through his ballet shoes at an incredible rate with all his dancing!"

Rikhardt went for his first ballet lesson four and a half years ago. "Without a doubt ballet has become my favourite activity!" he said.

Cayden has grown up dancing in the George Arts Theatre, and last year played two roles in Abbi Geldenhuys’ Adventures of Alice: the King of Hearts (photo) and the Flower King. A portion of the funds raised during Geldenhuys' show was in support of Cayden's dream to attend the Summer School in New York.

Dance as a profession

On a question about his future, Cayden said his dream is to be a professional dancer. "I want my future career to revolve around dancing every day, performing on stage, meeting new people, enjoying new experiences, and travelling to new places around the world. My dream is to be a principal dancer one day. Not just dancing to get paid for dancing, but dancing because it's my passion."

Rikhardt too would like to, one day, be the principal dancer in a classical ballet performed on one of the world stages in Europe or America. "I wish more boys would take up ballet in South Africa," he said. "The discipline and the physical endurance and strength you gain is more than any other sport, I believe."

Cayden achieved two golds at the Cape Town Eisteddfod for his two solos: Singing in the Rain and a classical ballet solo.

Raffle and Zumba

• The raffle costs R50 a ticket and includes leisure and lifestyle prizes from businesses in Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Tsitsikamma. You can WhatsApp/SMS your name and surname and how many tickets you'd like to 083 560 5624. A live draw will take place on 25 March at the Zumbathon in Knysna.

All winners will be notified via phone.

• Zumbathon: Saturday 25 March at St George's Church in Unity Street from 09:00 to 12:00. The entry ticket includes a raffle ticket.

Rikhardt van Niekerk (14) of Knysna.