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A
DREAM COME TRUE
Ask
Sidwell Roman
(Director of Knysna’s only ballet-exclusive school, The
Sidwell Roman
School of Ballet) what it means to dance, and he will tell you
it is about finding the dancer, and the dance within your soul.
But
to dance well is about constantly striving for perfection.
A dancer must find the balance between grace and
strength, artistry and athleticism, beauty and power.
Ballet, in particular, is about effort without evidence.
It is about determination, perseverance, patience and
almost endless practice. That
is what makes it so difficult.
It
is Sidwell’s own determination, perseverance and long hours
that got him to where he is today.
His dream of becoming a professional dancer was crushed
by the
arthritis that he
developed in his early
twenties.
Arthritis, however, didn’t end his passion for this
beautiful art form. He
continued with his ballet studies, made a successful career as a
ballet teacher, and opened his own school.
Born
in George, Sidwell started ballet at the age of twelve with the
late Sheila Barwell and continued further training with Diana
Townsend. He
matriculated in 1987 and commenced his Diploma in Ballet at the
University
of
Cape Town
the following year, graduating from the programme in 1990.
In 1991 Sidwell began teaching for the Western Cape
Education Department (a post he has retained for the past 16
years).
In
1993, Sidwell started his own private ballet school.
He taught in different venues for a number of years while
trying to find a permanent home.
His goal of having his own studio was realized in May
2007 when he opened his doors to students at his new premises on
Sunninghill
Road
in
Hunters
Home, Knysna. After
16 long years, his dream is finally a reality.
Sidwell’s
success as a teacher is attributable not only to his drive,
determination and his obvious passion for this classical art
form. It is also
down to his own experience as a student.
He has recounted the story of being in classes where he
was almost ignored—he says he never wanted one of his students
to feel like that. Whether
they are prima ballerina material or not, in Sidwell’s classes
each dancer is made to feel special.
Individual growth in each student is his biggest source
of pride as a teacher.
Sidwell’s
uncanny ability to bring out the best in his students sets him
apart. Ballet is the
most difficult form of dance.
It requires incredible discipline but also a degree of
natural talent. Some
children are naturally gifted; others have to work twice as
hard.
It
is his goal to make each of his students the best dancer they
can be, but also to ensure that they develop a love for dance.
His passion for this classical art form is a gift to all
of his students. His
enthusiasm and love of dance are audible when he speaks,
corrects and commends his dancers.
And it doesn’t matter whether his dancers are 4 or 40,
Sidwell’s rapport with all of his students is commendable.
And his patience with younger children is incredible.
Not
surprisingly, a number of his former students have continued
with their ballet training. Bernadene Jonathan dances part-time
with Tshwane Dance Company (she recently performed in
Port Elizabeth
with the company). Like
Sidwell, she also teaches Pilates.
Anri Nell left Knysna at the beginning of this year to
further her training with
Cape
Performing Arts
in
Cape Town
. She recently
toured in the
United States
with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.
Every
two years Sidwell has choreographed and produced a full length
ballet. Past
productions have included Alice
in Wonderland, Cinderella,
The Snow Queen, Peter Pan
and Coppelia, as well
as Peter and the Wolf
and Hansel and Gretel
for
Fraaisig
Primary School
.
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