At just 3½ years old, Cathrine Hough (17) found herself drawn to ballet, sneaking into classes to watch other children dance.
This eager little girl from Velddrif couldn’t wait to turn age 4 so she could start ballet classes.
“Once that milestone was reached, I excitedly signed up, ready to pursue my passion. It wasn’t until age 6, though, that I saw my first real ballet production, Swan Lake, at Artscape Theatre. Needless to say, the grace and beauty of the dancers captivated me as they conveyed emotions through their movements, costumes and acting, leaving an impression that just served to solidify my love for this art form, which from then on just went from strength to strength.
“It is an unbreakable bond I cherish more than anything else,” said Cathrine. “It’s a passion that fuels my soul and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” This is her heartbeat, her ultimate form of expression.
Last month she had the opportunity to participate in the Dance Star World Masters Competition, in which she qualified in the dance styles of ballet, jazz, National Folkloric (Spanish) and tap.
Cathrine achieved first place for her ballet solo, was named outright winner for her tap solo and took second place for her National Folkloric (Spanish) solo and sixth for her jazz solo.
“It was such an incredible experience being surrounded by so many different cultures and people, making new friends, participating in workshops and classes given by so many incredible dancers, directors and choreographers such as Nasha Thomas, Haley Messick, Anja Möderndorfer and more.
“Each moment offered something unique and memorable.” Achieving these results merely showed her her dedication, vested in countless hours, were truly worth it, as were the injuries and the hardships that come with rigorous training, experiences that have had their incredible rewards.
Cathrine is especially thankful for the support and guidance of her two remarkable dance teachers, Linda Pienaar and Rethea Kotzee from Stage Art Dance Academy in Langegaan, who have played a significant role in her dance journey.
She has taken part in various competitions and even qualified to represent South Africa in Birmingham as well as New York.”
Focusing on her dance exams she will not join the team, but will definitely compete in the qualifying rounds later this year and try to qualify for next year’s South African team.
Cathrine has this to say to aspiring young dancers, that one of the most important decisions they can make is choosing both the right studio and teacher or coach with the right experience and qualifications to teach.
“The right teacher will challenge you, offer constructive feedback and inspire you to push past your limits while keeping your training safe and grounded in proper technique,” she said. “Technique is the foundation of good dancing. No matter the style you’re pursuing, understanding the fundamentals and perfecting your technique will allow you to explore more complex movements later.
“Don’t skip the basics. Stay consistent. Success in dance doesn’t come overnight for consistency is key. It’s the small, daily efforts that add up over time. Keep challenging yourself to improve little by little. But through it all don’t forget to have fun.”
Going forward the young dancer plans on getting her Royal Academy of Dance ballet teacher’s qualification as well as her Association of International Dance Teacher’s qualifications for modern, tap and hip-hop.
You must be logged in to post a comment.