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United in Dance – Open Auditions

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A first for Port Elizabeth and the region, the launch of an official dance company – the Contemporary Junior Dance Company. Similar to dance companies around the country and the world, dancers are offered the opportunity to audition for a prestigious show unrelated to their studio from which they receive their ongoing training.

The choreographer for this contemporary showcase and opportunities beyond a launch performance at the Opera House in May 2020 is Candice Johnstone. Johnstone said that it has always been a dream of hers to present an opportunity like this to all dancers in Port Elizabeth. “An opportunity without prejudice for all who are aspiring towards a career in dance, to see what it’s really like,” said Johnstone.

Open auditions for all dancers, who need to be starting Grade 8 in 2020 will be eligible for this opportunity. The auditions will be held on Saturday 23 November commencing from 9am in Walmer, Port Elizabeth. To reserve an audition time contact Tanya van Bergh on 082 492 1304 / contemporaryjuniordancecomp@gmail.com. If dancers are selected in the first set of auditions, they would need to attend a Master Class on the same day as part of the selection process. Dancers would need to perform a piece of their choice, either choreographed by themselves or a piece with permission from their teacher for the duration of one and a half minutes.

Johnstone established herself as a promising dancer in 1992 when she graduated from Pretoria Technikon with her National Diploma in Ballet and her National Higher Diploma for Ballet with Distinction in 1993. PACT Dance Company did not hesitate to secure this talented dancer from 1992 to 1997. Johnstone set the industry alight by being nominated and winning a number of awards during this time including – IGI Life Vita Award for Most Outstanding Contemporary Female Dancer of the Year, First National Bank Young Vita Award for Choreography and the International Ballet Competition Sanlam Award for Best Choreography. One of Johnstone’s highlights was being selected to perform at President Nelson Mandela’s inauguration concert in 1994. In 1997 Johnstone received a thoroughly deserved bursary from the Flemish Ministry of Culture in Brussels and trained under world-renowned choreographer Anna Teresa de Keersmaeker. Johnstone is now a Cecchetti Classical Ballet Associate and received her Advanced Associate Modern – Honours with Distinction in 2014 and recently received her Associate Diploma for Ballet.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.