KNYSNA NEWS – A total of 31 dancers from the Sidwell Roman School of Ballet showcased their talent at the American Academy of Ballet (AAB) Performance Awards in the Knysna Primary school hall on 10 April.
The annual event showcases the dedication, discipline, and artistic excellence of the school's young performers, aged between 5 and 17. Participants included 28 ballerinas and three ballerinos.
The event drew an enthusiastic audience, who were left in awe by both the artistry on stage and the accolades achieved.
Awards
The dancers have been preparing for this moment with weekly training sessions since the beginning of the year.
Their commitment was richly rewarded as the school earned two silver with distinction, 13 silver with double distinction, 13 gold, and four gold with distinction awards. One student even entered and excelled in two different levels.
Professional trainer
This year's adjudicator was Iain MacDo-nald, a respected figure in the ballet world with over 30 years of experience.
Having trained and performed professionally in South Africa, MacDonald rose to become a principal dancer and later, the founding member and artistic director of Joburg Ballet.
He now serves as a faculty member and Performance Awards judge for the American Academy of Ballet, based in New York.
Scholarships
In a highlight of the evening, MacDonald awarded an impressive 20 scholarships to the AAB's 2026 Summer School in New York, an extraordinary opportunity for these young performers.
The annual AAB Awards event continues to raise the bar for ballet in Knysna, celebrating the talent of the dancers and the thriving artistic culture of the community.
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