Ballet Competition

Knysna dancers get top marks in Cape Town Ballet Competition

Milwhynne Williams and Cindy van der Merwe, dancers from the Sidwell Roman School of Ballet, competed in the annual Cape Town Ballet Eisteddfod last week.  Each performed three dances, receiving five Gold Diplomas, one Honours and three Medals between them.  

18 year old Milwhynne Williams (a matric student at Knysna Secondary School) received three Gold Diploma gradings (over 90%) for his Classical, Demi-Character and National dances.  He also received medals for best dancer in his age category for each of his three numbers performed in the finals.

This is an impressive follow-up to receiving top honours at the same competition last year.  Milwhynne is really proving to be someone to watch in the world of dance.  Already one of our local favourites (he was last year’s Nutcracker Prince), he has also attracted attention from South African dance programmes and companies and looks set to pursue a career in dance when he matriculates at the end of the year.

Competing in her first Cape Town competition, 16 year old Cindy van der Merwe (a student at Knysna High School and one of the Nutcracker’s ‘Clara’s) was also well rewarded for her efforts.  She received Gold Diploma scores for her Classical and National dances, and an Honours mark for her Demi-Character solo.  She was one of only two dancers invited to participate in the final for the National competition, and was also asked to compete in the Classical final.  Discussing the experience, Cindy said “it was the first time I have really gotten past my nerves and just enjoyed dancing.  I loved being on stage and performing.”

School Director Sidwell Roman is deservedly proud of his dancers.  “Milwhynne and Cindy put in a lot of time and hard work on their dances for the Eisteddfod.  I am so pleased they were rewarded for their efforts.  It means a lot to me that these young dancers have represented the school so well in Cape Town, ensuring the school’s continued reputation for the high standard of our dancers.”  

Along with other dancers from the Sidwell Roman School of Ballet, Cindy and Milwhynne will be competing in a similar Eisteddfod competition in Port Elizabeth later in the year. This is a lot of work and will require long hours of rehearsals, but the opportunity to perform is always worthwhile.

Anyone wishing to enquire about ballet tuition is welcome to contact Sidwell on 082 824 9323.