A GROUP OF 13 talented Kaapse dancers are ready to bust big moves in Italy over the next week.
Tyger Valley-based Motion 22 Dance Studio have been selected to travel to Italy to show off their best moves and represent South Africa at this year's World Dance Movement 2025.
The World Dance Movement will take place from 8 to 19 July with dancers from over 35 countries strutting their stuff in Classical Ballet, Jazz / Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, Street Dance, Commercial and other dance styles.
The team will travel to Castellana Grotte in Italy, where they will participate in masterclasses with highly-acclaimed international instructors before competing in the prestigious World Dance Movement Competition.
Founder and coach Amy Lee Payne said her dancers are all between the ages of 13 to 17 years and are all looking forward to attending their very first international competition.
Amy explained: “We are attending the first week of the World Dance Movement where the dancers will take class with various international teachers and choreographers over five days, do a performance of the pieces they learn during those five days and then compete on the last day of the Movement.
"This is our first ever International Tour and we are very excited to compete at this level and next to some incredible international dancers and dance schools.
"We are extremely excited. A few small nerves for the performances, but we always think a few butterflies in the tummy is good for performances.
“These dancers have been training with exceptional dedication, committing up to 12 hours per week while balancing their academic and other sporting responsibilities. The dancers receive training in a variety of styles, such as Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Acrobatics, and Hip Hop.
"Their hard work and outstanding performances in various South African competitions in 2024 have earned them scholarships for both the workshops and competition, recognising their top rankings and multiple first-place achievements.”