Magazine 2018

The secret to the team’s success is easy; hard work and unity. – David Beckham By Sylvie Stander The Dance Department has had an exciting and successful year. At the start of 2018, four of our Secondary dancers', Tiara Cantika, Emma Wood, Adrienne Tonkin and Tiffany Schrauwen were awarded scholarships to attend the Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive course in New York and Chicago. What a wonderful opportunity for our dancers to travel abroad to gain more experience and broaden their horizons in the Performing Arts. In the first quarter the Grade 12 dancers choreographic examination was held. All four of our Grade 12 dancers, Meritxell Cilliers, Tamaryn Taylor, Zoë Van Rooyen and Cecilia Van Der Walt were awarded Distinctions for their creative and energizing choreographies, Our Bodies Silenced and Revolution Red by an external examining panel from the WCED. In the second quarter, we had 84 dancers that entered and participated in the Cape Town Eisteddfod for both the Ballet and Stage branch divisions. Our dancers gained valuable stage experience and this platform allowed them to perform in a competitive environment. We had in total 35 sections that were won by the Dance Department at the Eisteddfod. Our budding ballerinas in the Pre- Primary faculty participated in the May Play, and for many dancers this was their first time on stage. The dancers also got to perform at the Secondary Dance Assembly and were able to present many beautifully choreographed solo and group items. During the third quarter, the Junior Preparatory dancers had the opportunity to demonstrate and perform their various items for Special Persons' Day, and at the Senior Preparatory Cultural Evening some of the Eisteddfod groups were able to present their dances. The audiences enjoyed both events. Our ballet dancers prepared and participated in the RAD Ballet awards and examinations. The dancers gained valuable knowledge and experience from being assessed by highly skilled and trained examiners. The ISTD Modern and Tap exams were held in the fourth quarter, as were the Medal Tests. Our tiny dancers in the Pre- Primary faculty got to perform beautifully in the annual end of the year concert. Thank you to our wonderful and inspiring dance teachers, Sylvie Stander, Alida Tromp and Candice Holder for continuing to nurture our dancers to develop to their full potential. They are passionate teachers and they instil the love of dance in our learners. We look forward to another creative and action packed 2019. 127. parklands.co.za