About – Love of Dance Academy

BEGINNINGS

Ever since I can remember I have been tapping my feet, bopping my head and swaying my hips to the rhythm. I started out with modern dancing at the age of 6 and continued onto hip hop a few years later. I have a love and passion for both of these styles and when asked which is my favourite, I simply answer "Both". I will never forget the first time I walked on stage and felt completely at home. I would love for every child to experience the same sense of freedom, safety and self-confidence that I felt (and definitely still feel) when dancing. I have many fond memories of dancing - in shows, primary school revues, high school revues, school plays and productions such as Mnr. En Mej. Waterkloof. Whenever and wherever there was an opportunity to dance or to choreograph, I grabbed it with both hands.

Dance has the ability to help us deal with difficult situations – it helps us to express that which we find difficult to express in words by providing a platform for our emotions.

At the age of 19 I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. During this time, I used dance as a form of therapy. I still remember practising in my hospital room during treatment. During this time I truly discovered and expanded my love of dance. I completed and passed my Modern Dance Associate Exam (final teacher's exam) two days after undergoing radioactive therapy. I continued onto my Hip Hop Associate Exams and completed it in 2013.

Unfortunately, I have some unpleasant memories of dance teachers who tried to push me too hard and who broke me down instead of building me up. This has reinforced my decision to follow this as a career path because I would like to change the negative stigma surrounding many dance teachers.

By December 2013 I knew that the time has come for me to step out on my own and so I opened the doors to Love of Dance Academy in February 2014. It has been an unforgettable journey so far. In October 2015 I hosted Love of Dance Academy's first show in the Atterbury Theatre. We have also completed very successful exam sessions boasting with a 100% pass rate and an average of 80%.

I began a class for children with Down syndrome at the beginning of 2016. I believe that dance can have the same therapeutic effects on others as it did for me - even if it is just a means of escaping from social pressure and feeling safe and free. It is our responsibility as young entrepreneurs to find a way of giving back - this is just the start for me.

I have met and worked with the most wonderful people over these years that have now formed what I call my dance family. As I dance on this winding road - filled with success, hard work, growth and discovery - I would love for you and/or your child/children to join me.

EXPERIENCED TEACHERS

Nicci Sievers

Owner

Teacher's Diploma in the discipline of Modern Dance through SABOD (Previously known as SADTA) - 2011

Teacher's Diploma in the discipline of Hip Hop through SABOD (Previously known as SADTA) - 2013

Teacher at Carol Coetsee School of Modern Dance - Jan 2011 to Dec 2013

Teacher at Genesis Lifestyle Centre - 2011

Choreographer and dancer in numerous productions including Carol Coetsee & Nicci Louw Present Jazz Plus 2012, Carol Coetsee & Nicci Louw Present Jazz Plus 2013, The Big Bang 2015, Art in Motion 2016, Miranda Production 2016, Dance in Colour 2017 and more.

Owner and teacher at Love of Dance Academy - 2014 to present

Mia Uys

Assistant Teacher

Ballet teacher at Love of Dance Academy since 2023

Associate Certificate through Cecchetti (with distinction) - 2018

Completed Advanced 2 exam through RAD (Royal Academy of Dance)- 2016

Registered member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (I.S.T.D) in London

Vice-Chairperson of the Cecchetti Pretoria Comittee

Wide variety of training that has led to comprehensive knowledge in theatre, choreography, various dance styles as well as an in-depth study in music theory and anatomy.

BEGINNINGS

FUEL TO THE FIRE

THE JOURNEY

EXPERIENCED TEACHERS

Nicci Sievers

Shakira Leece-Jones

Benjamin Potgieter

Mia Uys

Irene Kruger

Kim Walker