The Port Elizabeth Dance Festival ended on Saturday with a gala event showcasing the young talent performing in it last week.
Internationally recognised theatre personality and festival adjudicator Delia Sainsbury chose 16 items to treat the audience to the variety and high standard of this year’s five-day festival.
“I am hugely impressed with the high standard of dance talent in Port Elizabeth,” said Sainsbury.
“The organisation of the festival was extremely professional and I am impressed by the dedication and hard work which is clearly visible from the region’s dance studio teachers.”
As well as the young PEDF competitors, Bay radio presenter Roland Gaspar also entertained the audience with a comic rendition of the ballet “Swan Lake”, followed by an up-tempo modern and tap routine – complete with costume change. The gala closed with the awards ceremony, which was hosted by Sainsbury and Elizel Long, who is visiting her old home where she was well recognized for her dancing while in ballet training. She now manages her own dance and pilates studio in Charleston in the US.
All participating dancers received a recognition medal. The amateur solo dancers in every genre received section winning certificates and trophies were awarded to the following dancers:

The Hermie Award for the best ballet group was presented to the Flamingo group, Candice Johnstone Dance Academy.
The Little Cherub Trophy was awarded to Nicole Jonker of Prestige School of Dance for the most promising tap dancer.
Gabby Kopps, of Candice Johnstone Dance Academy, won the Jenny Award Trophy as the most promising senior dancer.
Gemma Bisseker of the Candice Johnstone Academy received the Best Junior National Trophy.
Jayshree Ganeshan and Lisha Pillay of Natyakshetram received the Best Senior National Trophy.
Junior Ballet Champion was Nadine du Plessis of Carmen’s School of Dance in Knysna. Nadine also won the Merille Lane Platter for the Most Promising Junior Dancer.
Senior Ballet Champion was Kirsten Harwood, of Candice Johnstone Academy. Kirsten also won the Jennifer Abraham Memorial Bursary and was the winner of one of the Fabulous Theatre Dance Academy Trophies and the prize entry to the Move Competition in Cape Town.
Junior Modern Champion was Caitlyn Burton, of Candice Johnstone Academy.
Senior Modern Champion was Anna van den Bergh of Candice Johnstone Academy. Anna also won the PEDF Modern Bursary and the prize entry to the Move Competition in Cape Town...