HOORAY! Paul Modjadji is the new winner of the European Star Dance Union World Championships.
The tall, lithe, live wire whose every step exudes life took the world title in Croatia, Europe, after sweeping the boards here at home.
"It all started with the Union of European Star Committee going to different countries," Modjadji says.
"Here they judged people in various categories, such as hip hop, ballet, contemporary Jazz and acrobatics.
"Altogether South Africa was represented by 29 of us. I took the Senior Contemporary Jazz section, in which I happened to be the only black contestant.
"It was exciting considering that the competition was stiff."
Madjadji says he was surprised to take the title in Croatia.
"After all, we were dancing against super hot countries such as Mozambique, the UK, US, Russia and China."
The excitement has not died, Modjadji says, adding that he has hardly calmed down and all 19 South African winners are headed for the US.
"All 19 of them are going to New York next month to represent SA at the Talent America Showcase. There we will have an opportunity to showcase to an international audience of film and theatre producers and talent scouts," he says, screaming "Broadway, here we come!"
"I see myself maximising the opportunity to hone my skills like those shaped by Broadway, dramas and films," Modjadji says.
"I am so grateful to the Department of Arts and Culture, especially Minister Paul Mashatile, for helping me realise my dream of going to the US. For a while it seemed like this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was slipping away."
Modjadji has been dancing for 10 years and has appeared in Backstage and won a scholarship to study in Denmark where he spent a year. On his return he completed his dance studies at the Tshwane University of Technology.
Dancin' up a storm
HOORAY! Paul Modjadji is the new winner of the European Star Dance Union World Championships.
The tall, lithe, live wire whose every step exudes life took the world title in Croatia, Europe, after sweeping the boards here at home.
"It all started with the Union of European Star Committee going to different countries," Modjadji says.
"Here they judged people in various categories, such as hip hop, ballet, contemporary Jazz and acrobatics.
"Altogether South Africa was represented by 29 of us. I took the Senior Contemporary Jazz section, in which I happened to be the only black contestant.
"It was exciting considering that the competition was stiff."
Madjadji says he was surprised to take the title in Croatia.
"After all, we were dancing against super hot countries such as Mozambique, the UK, US, Russia and China."
The excitement has not died, Modjadji says, adding that he has hardly calmed down and all 19 South African winners are headed for the US.
"All 19 of them are going to New York next month to represent SA at the Talent America Showcase. There we will have an opportunity to showcase to an international audience of film and theatre producers and talent scouts," he says, screaming "Broadway, here we come!"
"I see myself maximising the opportunity to hone my skills like those shaped by Broadway, dramas and films," Modjadji says.
"I am so grateful to the Department of Arts and Culture, especially Minister Paul Mashatile, for helping me realise my dream of going to the US. For a while it seemed like this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was slipping away."
Modjadji has been dancing for 10 years and has appeared in Backstage and won a scholarship to study in Denmark where he spent a year. On his return he completed his dance studies at the Tshwane University of Technology.
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