This five-day event culminated in a glittering gala on Saturday, when junior and senior classical finalists had to compete for their final places. The contemporary placings had already been decided, but these finalists had the opportunity to impress the audience with their incredible ability by performing once again.
The 18-year-old American dancer, Nathan Chaney, was the achiever of the night, winning Gold medals in both the junior classical and contemporary divisions. South African jury chairperson Eduard Greyling summed up his obvious delight: "What a wonderful feeling!"
After three days of elimination rounds, the highest scoring classical dancers were asked to compete in a final on Friday. The best of the night were given the opportunity to repeat their solo or pas de deux performance on Saturday or try something new to impress the judges into awarding them a Bronze, Silver or Gold medal with accompanying prize money totalling R375 000. Competitors ranged in age between 15 and 27 years old.
In the junior ballet section, Chaney swept the boards winning Gold and R80 000. Alys Shee from Canada (16) took home the Silver medal and R40 000 while Jeon Yeo Jin from the Republic of Korea (16) won Bronze plus R20 000. Happily, Shee improved on her previous night's performance in the Don Quixote pas de deux with Aaron Smythe from Australia (19). They produced a faultless interpretation of their roles and, for his part, Smythe won the Bronze medal and R25 000 in the senior section.
Oscar Carmenates from Cuba (19) won the senior classical Gold medal and R100 000 with a spellbinding Don Quixote solo on both nights, followed by Hyo-Seon Park from the Republic of Korea (20). Her lovely solo from Paquita earned her the Silver medal and R50 000.
Chaney won the only junior contemporary prize and R30 000, while Thoriso Magongwa from SA (27) won the senior contemporary division and R30 000 for his beautiful Soliloquy.
A special jury prize was awarded to Andile Ndlovu (22) from SA for his talent, versatility and artistry in both genres.
Greyling was assisted in the adjudication of the results by a panel of dance luminaries comprising Mario Galizzi (Argentina), Hae Shik Kim (Republic of Korea), Ismael Albelo (Cuba), Septime Webre (US), Xin Lili (China), Christopher Kindo (SA) and Lisa Pavane (Australia). He said the process of elimination was daunting and went beyond the exceptional standard of technical execution of the choreographed movement. "We could also be bowled over by magnificent artistry, poise, musicality, bravura and purpose of movement as well as a variety of other things," he said.
Greyling complimented the competitors on their "exciting and magical performances" and thanked them for contributing to the "preservation and development of the art of dance in South Africa and abroad".
The Cape Town International Ballet Competition is the brainchild of Dirk Badenhorst and takes place every two years. It is one of the highlights of South Africa's cultural calendar and the next event is in 2012.
