LIFESTYLE - DANCE Movement, a dance project that was created in 2007 to empower youth from disadvantaged communities in the arts, commemorates 15 years this year.
What started as a programme to serve the community of Wentworth has evolved into one which today trains the youth and the disabled from the greater South Basin precinct and as far as Avoca and Newlands East.
Jarryd Watson, the director of Dance Movement, said the project was born out of the Wentworth Arts & Culture Organisation (WACO) set up in 1994.
“The purpose of the organisation was to create a platform for the promotion of arts and culture activities and provide access to the arts for the disadvantaged.
“Over the years more than 6 000 students have come through to Dance Movement. The kids are mainly from areas around south Durban like Wentworth, Bluff and Merebank, but we also have kids from Avoca Hills and Newlands East. Fees are charged at a minimal, affordable rate as most of our students come from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
Over the years, Dance Movement has represented South Africa five times at global dance events and competitions in the US and UK. Its students have won in various positions. These include coming first in various dance categories.
Watson said some of the students have moved on to study dance professionally.
“One of the programmes we run at the studio is professional development, which exposes the dancers from our school to a professional environment and looks at how to train them to be professionals and create careers in the industry. Many are currently pursuing careers in dance today.”
Opportunity
Uddhav “Harvey” Ishwarkumar, 20, of Avoca Hills, has been a student with Dance Movement for two years.
The mechanical engineering student joined the school after he participated in their online show, Dance Virtuosity.
“I always enjoyed dancing. Previously, I was part of another dance school but it was more Bollywood inclined. Later on, around high school, I was exposed to more Western style dancing. I decided to develop my skills a bit more and I started looking for a dance school. I came upon Dance Movement and the rest is history.”
Ishwarkumar said performing in Dance Movement’s online show was his first major highlight. A second was getting to perform on stage.
“Last year, we did another show at The Playhouse Theatre, which was another great opportunity to get exposed to an audience and what it's like to perform on stage. Besides learning how to dance, Jarryd also likes to expose his dancers to gig performance, so in the future, if you decide to perform for events, you have already been prepared for such things. These are great opportunities.”
Ishwarkumar said initially when he started dancing it was mostly to develop his skills and to learn different types of dancing, such as amapiano, hip hop and contemporary styles, but being at Dance Movement had broadened his view of the potential of dance.
“In the future I would like to choreograph my own dancers and also if I'm given the opportunity I would like to travel and perform internationally. I think Dance Movement is a good platform to help a lot of kids get out of bad situations and to help them focus on something positive. I would encourage the community to support organisations like this.
“The dance studio is far from Avoca Hills, but the reason I chose Dance Movement is because of the calibre of teaching and professionalism that they give the students. I'm blessed to have found them.”
Growth
Watson said over the years they have developed the school to be able to offer more services.
“Dance Movement has evolved to become multifaceted. Not only do we run classes for the children and youth, but we also teach people living with disabilities, mainly those who use wheelchairs, and we also run an arts school programme whereby we teach arts at primary schools.”
Sustaining the NGO over the past 15 years has not come easy, he said.
“The toughest challenge has been securing flagship funding and a permanent venue for the studio and the organisation to operate in. But despite the challenges that threaten to close the organisation and project, somehow, with determination and perseverance, Dance Movement has managed to rise above these challenges.
“Fund-raising has always been a big part of our studio because we try to keep our fees low. So the extra funds raised assist with the day-to-day running of the organisation and for us to continue providing opportunities for the dancers to participate in competitions and bursaries. This year, we hope to put on a year-end dance production to a large audience to enjoy and appreciate the creativity we have produced over the years.”
* For more information, follow the organisation on Facebook: Dance Movement – The Wentworth Arts & Culture Organisation.
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