2023 Year in Review
by Kristine Elliott
This #GivingTuesday, it’s so good to look back and think of all of you who have made our work possible uplifting Black lives through dance and populating the world’s stages with Black dancers. Universally, ballet training instills a strong work ethic, discipline, and presentation while promoting creative artistic minds. We are excited to share what your support made possible in 2023:
Artistic Collaboration Between Dancescape, First Step Ballet, and Zolani Youth Choir
This January, I was joined in my annual teaching trip to South Africa by Nathan Bartman and Ciara Baldwin, two extremely talented dancers and choreographers who have been former recipients of Gugulethu Ballet Project’s support. Together, they choreographed a piece that students at our partner schools Dancescape in Zolani township and First Step Ballet in MacGregor performed together, accompanied by an original composition choral song performed live by the Zolani Youth Choir. The artistic collaboration was a resounding success, and it was a joy to see the young dancers making friendships and being curious across cultural divides
Support for Jazzart Dance Theatre Trainees
The third and fourth week of the teaching trip were spent in Cape Town, working with the Jazzart Dance Theatre trainees and company. Jazzart is the premier contemporary dance company in Cape Town, and we support four trainees who are in the first year of Jazzart’s three-year training programme: Chuma Mathiso, Milisa Mathiso, Phelo Ngxukuma, and Thimna Ndwe. These dancers were trained at our partner school Dancescape in Zolani, and three have been past recipients of Gugulethu Ballet Project’s support to study at Alonzo King LINES Ballet’s summer intensive in San Francisco. We’re proud to facilitate their transition from students to pre-professional dancers. Our support helps with their housing, groceries, transportation, and dance supplies.
Aphiwe November Thrives at Houston Ballet Academy
Aphiwe November has been thriving at Houston Ballet Academy since January of this year. An exceptional young dancer who began his training at Dancescape in Zolani, Aphiwe previously attended workshops with American Ballet Theatre, Manhattan Youth Ballet, and Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet with Gugulethu Ballet Project’s support. Now eighteen, a pivotal year in his training, Aphiwe is the recipient of a full scholarship to study in Houston Ballet Academy’s Professional Program.
Aphiwe is benefiting immensely from the quality of their training, the incredibly positive environment, and the wonderful connections and mentorship that the program provides. Julie Kent, the Co-director of Houston Ballet, recently introduced Aphiwe to Towson University Professor of Dance Vincent Thomas, who offered to mentor Aphiwe and invited him to attend the prestigious International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance.
Gugulethu Ballet Project’s Ballet Syllabus
Gugulethu Ballet Project’s Ballet Syllabus is the latest iteration of our commitment to serve South African dancers where they are and to recognize the reality of their struggles. The syllabus is a compilation of ballet class exercises performed by young women of color that together create a solid foundation of ballet technique. This tool gives a wealth of knowledge, but more importantly meets the intellectual and practical needs of both students and teachers, providing instruction and music in a reusable and accessible format.
Gugulethu Ballet Project’s 20th Anniversary
Next year, Gugulethu Ballet Project will be celebrating its 20th anniversary! Keep an eye out for information about our exciting gala scheduled for Summer 2024. As we reflect upon our two decades of work, we are extremely encouraged and buoyed by the success stories of so many of our grantees:
Mbulelo Ndabeni, Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre in England and MN Foundation in Ugie, Eastern Cape
Bathembu Myira, Dancer in Lion King Hamburg, Germany
Nqaba Mafilika, Principal teacher at Dancescape in Zolani, South Africa
Xola Puta, Former Principal Dancer at Cape Town City Ballet, now disc jockey in Khayelisha, Western Cape
Zandile Constable, Dancer with Pina Bausch’s Pina Bausch Rite of Spring
Nathan Bartman, Founder and Co-Director of Manacan dance company based in London; Currently star of Rumble in the Jungle Rematch immersive theater
Odwa Lindokuhle Makanda, Student of Engineering at Nelson Mandela University where he received the Maphakela Fund award for top first year programming student!
Lwando Dutyulwa, Dada Masilo dance company and dancer in Lion King, London
We believe in the power of dance to change lives and transform communities. Will you consider making a donation to support our programs?
Your contribution will go toward:
Support for our partner dance schools in South Africa. These schools perform the daily work of teaching the children and providing them with a safe space to learn.
An annual research and teaching trip to South Africa during which I teach workshops and set repertoire with professional guest teachers, check in with our partner schools to find out their needs, reconnect with former students, and identify young talent.
Scholarships for South African students to study in the United States. These summer study opportunities result in immense growth, professional connections, and often year-round training opportunities for the students.
You can make your donation online at http://www.gugulethuballetproject.org/donate/ or by mailing a check to Gugulethu Ballet Project at P.O. Box 620465 Woodside, CA 94062. Gugulethu Ballet Project is a 501(c)(3) organization (ID# 81-4385295) and gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law.
Ubuntu and Warmest Regards,
Kristine Elliott
Director, Gugulethu Ballet Project
Building Pride through Dance
