KNYSNA NEWS - A full-time student at the Sidwell Roman School of Ballet in Knysna, Cayden Bean, took one step closer to realising his dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer this recently when he participated in the regional qualifying round for the South African International Ballet Competition (SAIBC) in Gqeberha.
The 17-year-old performed a solo classical ballet repertoire and a contemporary solo, earning third place in the event and an entry into the SAIBC, where he will represent South Africa.
This prestigious international event takes place at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town in July.
The CEO and director of the SAIBC, Dirk Badenhorst said he had seen tremendous growth in Cayden's dancing over the past year, and could simply sit back and enjoy his performance.
Internship
Badenhorst was so impressed with Cayden that he went on to award the young dancer a year-long internship at Mzansi Ballet in Johannesburg, which Cayden will take up once he has completed his matric studies this year.
"It's great to see such passion and commitment to the art, and so I really hope that he can take us up on the offer and come and join us at Mzansi Ballet," Badenhorst told the audience.
Cayden said he was grateful for qualifying for the international competition, and for the additional opportunities this would present, and honoured to have been awarded the internship at Mzansi Ballet.
"This is a great opportunity for me to not only further my training but to potentially begin my professional dance career next year.
"It just feels like all the sacrifices, hard work and commitment to my dream are finally starting to pay off. To have started the year on such a high note is a huge confidence boost for me, and for what's to come later this year," he said.
Roots
Cayden, a Hoekwil resident, danced at the Abbi Geldenhuys Academy of Ballet in George for seven years before joining the Sidwell Roman School of Ballet at the end of 2023.
The move gave him the opportunity to dance vocationally and prepare for a professional ballet career.
Mzansi Ballet is a dance company that brings together emerging artists with seasoned professionals to create performances that convey South African stories while respecting the cultural and historical aspects of classical ballet.
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