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Local Stars Shine At World Champs Of Performing Arts

Local Stars Shine At World Champs Of Performing Arts

Date: 2015-08-07
La Lucia and Glen Anil residents, Bernelee Frick, Jemma van Breda and Emmitt Cawley, flew the South African flag with pride and great success at the recent World Championship of Performing Arts, which took place over the July holidays in Hollywood, Los Angeles.

The event, which is referred to as the 'Talent Olympics,'attracted 1 600 young actors, dancers, vocalists, instrumentalists, models and variety artists from 63 countries. 100 judges were drawn from Hollywood's entertainment leaders.

Before the competition started, the contestants participated in the 'Worldstars Boot Camp,' which they found enriching and daunting as they performed in the workshops alongside the talent that they would be competing against.

Emmitt Cawley and Jemma van Breda, who entered multiple categories, ended up competing in 12 categories in one morning, a fairly nerve-wracking experience considering costume changes from hip hop to Bollywood, jazz, musical character, contemporary, lyrical, ballet etc.

Despite the challenges and extremely high standard of talent, the three local performers achieved extremely high results. Jemma and Emmitt danced as soloists and together as a duet called Edge. Both dancers won medals in every category that they entered. Jemma won 8 gold medals, 4 silver and 3 bronze for her 12 dances and 2 rhythmic gymnastic acts. She also won an Overall Winner Trophy. Emmitt won 7 gold medals, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals plus 3 Overall Winner Trophies, (which are given to the best performance in a division).

Both dancers won 3-month scholarships to the Millennium Dance Complex. In addition, they won industry awards as individuals and as Edge. Industry awards are an acknowledgement by leaders in the entertainment industry that the recipients have the talent to make it in the industry.

Emmitt was selected to participate in the final gala Showcase, competing for the Grand Champion title, but despite putting on a brilliant performance, the overall award went to a singer from Jamaica.

Singer Bernelee Frick won medals in 5 of the 8 divisions she entered, scooping 4 silver and 1 bronze medal plus an industry award. Last year Bernelee made it to the final showcase show, but added; "I am very happy with my result as the standard of vocals this year is unbelievably high."

Emmitt and Jemma will return to Millennium in the heart of Hollywood, in the near future, to hone their dance skills both as soloists and as a phenomenal duet.

The Durban culture has obviously had good influence on the dance duo as Jemma was the overall solo division in the Ethnic/Folklore category for her Bollywood solo and Emmitt and Jemma won gold for their Bollywood duet!"

One of the judges, Carlyn Moore, commented; I am overwhelmed by the talent from South Africa. In fact watching these kids perform has inspired me to research and learn more about your country and its obviously rich culture."