- Dancer Megan Coetzee (11) from Langebaan will represent the West Coast and South Africa at the International Performance Arts Championships in New York this July.
- Megan credits her success to her dedicated teachers and supportive family.
- She looks forward to travelling, meeting new people, and pursuing her dream of becoming a professional dancer.
Representing the West Coast in New York at the International Performance Arts Championships (IPAC) is a great achievement for Megan Coetzee.
The 11-year-old dancer from Langebaan will depart in July for New York among a South African team of 50 dancers. They will also perform in Spain at the Mediterranean Legends Music Festival and tour France and Monaco.
Megan said she is excited to go on the trip and is very grateful for the opportunity. “I have been working hard to be the best I can be and also hope to be awarded something in the competition. I am excited to have this experience of travelling the world doing something I love to do.”
Her love for dancing started at the age of 2. Megan said her family would play music every Friday night and she would simply just dance her heart out until late into the evening.
Audiences
“I started dance lessons in nursery school and I loved it. In my first exam I got an A+. In 2017 we moved to the Western Cape and I joined #Dansnet Studio in Langebaan. My teacher Madi, helped me grow and brought out the best in me.
“She believed in me, and when I was 6 years old I got my very first Hip-Hop solo. About a year ago Abbi joined the studio. Between Madi and Abbi they have given me confidence and a passion, and I love dancing for an audience because of them. I have always loved to dance and every time I have danced my passion grew and grew to what it is today.”
Her mother, Roxanne Coetzee, can attest to Megan’s love for dancing. “She could dance before she could walk. The first time I truly saw her love for dancing was her very first concert with Dance Mouse, where she danced in front of 500 people. She was about 2½ at the time and all you saw were smiles.
“As she got older her love for dancing grew stronger and stronger. Megan gets her days where she does not want to go to school or extra murals, but she never wants to miss dancing.
“She has grown into such a beautiful dancer. The #Dansnet teachers Madelein van Niekerk and Abigail Masters are truly amazing and her dancing friends and their parents are all very supportive and always stand by each other.”
The young dancer has done exceptionally well for her age and also received her Western Province and SA colours last year.
“It makes me feel proud and confident. By receiving my Western Province and SA colours, its given me the confidence that I need to follow my dreams. By going to New York and Spain to dance at these competitions, I am following my dreams.”
Excited
Heading to IPAC, Megan said she is looking forward to the experience of travelling and doing what she loves. She is excited about meeting people from different countries around the world and also exploring and possibly learning some words in different languages.
Charmaine Laubscher, Deputy Mayor of Saldanha Bay, said as Megan embarks on these thrilling adventures she carries with her the hopes and dreams of the community. “Her achievements not only shine a spotlight on her extraordinary talent, but also reflect the spirit and resilience of the Saldanha Bay municipal area and the Weskus.”
As for the future, Megan’s big dream is to travel the world and perform for many people, but doing it especially for herself. One day I want to have my own studio so that I can share my passion with others.”
