Alvina Versfeld Menigo from Fish Hoek wanted to encourage children from less-fortunate circumstances in Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek. She started her Southern Right School of Dance. Alvina registered it as a non-governmental organization (NGO).
Now children, teens and adults are strutting their dance stuff on the dance floor at her studio. “I would prefer to see children spending their time at the dance studio,” Menigo said. They can enter competitions. This would direct their time and talent in a positive direction.
“They need financial assistance to get them out of their current circumstances and give healthy and purposeful activity. If you are enthusiastic about keeping children off the street and pursuing positive role-models please consider sponsoring a child.”
When little girls were dreaming of becoming ballerinas, doctors or fighter pilots, her earliest memories were of wanting to dance. She also wanted to teach dancing.
At age six, she spent time in her grandmother’s back garden. She choreographed wonderful dance routines to the beat in her head.
She did ballet for a brief time. As a 9-year-old, she walked into a ballroom and Latin dance studio. She was intrigued from that moment on.
“It felt as though I had arrived ‘home’ and so my future career took hold. My dance training continued until I became a certified Latin and ballroom instructor. Added to this, I became trained to judge dance competitions. After a few years as a competitive dance-sport participant, I started as a dance instructor in 2006.”
In 2013 she opened the doors of her studio Southern Right School of Dance. Her dance teachers were one of her main inspirations. They instilled in her the belief that it is possible to achieve dreams.
“It is wonderful yet demanding when teaching children. I have a mothering nature. I become involved in the welfare of my younger students. I always take care of them holistically.
“I have successfully trained a blind dancer as well as an adult physically challenged dancer.
“I always tell my students, trust and believe in yourself. Always remember why you started dancing. You will always shine.
“Since opening the studio my students have told me how they are inspired by my passion and energy.
“I feel I have a God-given gift and so ‘no’ is not a choice for me.”
Dance heals one emotionally and ,with the dancing she is passing on to others, many things can become possible.
One of the children in Kalk Bay or Fish Hoek has dreamed of becoming a professional ballroom champion. It has also been their wish to become a Latin dance champion. She is making it possible for them to chase that dream.
“I would love to see ballroom and Latin dancing recognised as the competitive sport that it is. The biggest challenge is that trained teachers have no opportunity to teach ballroom and Latin dancing in schools. Nevertheless, competitions happen at club and university level. This leaves a huge gap because there are no ‘young’ students feeding through to the clubs and universities.
“The dance industry needs to create a system whereby young kids can be coached successfully within the education system.”
For more information or sponsoring a child for dance lessons, you can contact Versfeld Menigo on 084 207 9167.
