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KNYSNA NEWS & VIDEO - Knysna might as well become the centre of the ballet universe soon as two local dance schools dominated at the recent annual eisteddfod in Cape Town, and with the American Academy of Ballet sourcing future stars from the town.
Two weeks ago the Knysna-Plett Herald reported on Carmen's School of Dance that competed in the Ballet Dance Eisteddfod at the Sea Point Civic Centre in May, returning with a bounty of gold medals.
Diplomas and medals
At the same event, three ballerinas of Sidwell Roman School of Ballet took part, doing incredibly well according to their teacher.
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Not only did the three girls come back with nine gold diplomas (90% to 100%) and one honours (80% to 89%), but they brought back a total of four gold medals. These were won for their creative movement duet (Zoë Metelerkamp and Hannah Micklewood); demi-character trio (Zoë Metelerkamp, Hannah Micklewood and Zélie de Villiers); best senior open choice solo (Hannah Micklewood); and best solo in the open choice category (Hannah Micklewood).
'Formidable experience'
“The team came back to Knysna with incredible memories and pride. It was overall a formidable, positive and enriching experience for the girls, for me their teacher, and their families,” says Sidwell Roman, adding that between the two schools they took over the Cape Town Eisteddfod.
On Thursday 14 June, the American Academy of Ballet (AAB) will once again visit Roman’s school, with the school’s Cape Town performance being just one of the reasons the AAB has chosen to source talent from Knysna.
Knysna grabs attention
According to Roman, who holds a three-year diploma in ballet from the UCT school of dance, is a qualified Royal Academy of Dance teacher and has been teaching ballet in Knysna since 1991, the AAB also chose Knysna after one of his students won a scholarship to the school in 2016.
“She went to New York after an audition class, where the director of the academy comes out to spot talent. They were very impressed by her and at the end of that year they came to visit us again – they usually only go to Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg,” says Roman.
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He says the academy then requested that auditions be held in Knysna from then on as well. Last year, another of his students, Hannah Micklewood (17), received a four-week scholarship to the AAB.
Prestigious scholarship
“They undergo much more intensive training over there and are exposed to teachers from the Paris Opera, American Ballet Theatre and even Brazil. They build up life experience and experience a mix of cultures,” added Roman.
Roman says this is an extremely prestigious scholarship and that the AAB does not allow just anyone to attend. “They have to dance on a very high standard,” he says.
Hannah Micklewood (left), Zélie de Villiers and Zoë Metelerkamp are three Sidwell Roman dancers who did extremely well at the annual Cape Town Eisteddfod.
According to Hannah the AAB experience was incredible. “It was a great chance for me to test my limits and to see where I can improve. I started ballet at the age of four and was hooked ever since and can’t stop dancing. In America I not only met so many new people, but I got some insight on the ballet world and what to expect in future as I hope to make dancing my career,” she says.
Another star in the making
This year, another of Roman’s students will travel to America after she won an AAB scholarship in 2017. Zoë Metelerkamp (17), who also started dancing at age four, will be leaving for America on Friday 15 June.
“Obviously I am a bit nervous but also really excited. I think it will be really challenging. I am going to learn and broaden my dance experience, not for fun, although I’m sure it will be, with all that I’ve heard,” she said.
Roman says it is a great motivation for him to have three students win the scholarship so far. “It shows me I am on the right path and that all my hard work over the years, and building people’s trust in me, have paid off. It shows me I can do it, and I can see a bright future ahead for my students and me,” he adds.
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