At the tender age of six Sarene Marais saw her very first ballet show and knew she too wanted to float across the stage like a ballerina. Never did she imagine she would be so much more.
Fast-forward to the present day, the now 66-year-old professional dancer continues to share her passion and joy for the performing arts with others as the owner of her very own dance studio, which served the community for nearly three decades.
The Strand resident opened the doors of Sarene’s Dance Studio in January 1995 and created an environment where students are offered the opportunity to enhance their craft through qualified, experienced and patient instructors.
She says working towards exams and assessments may be hard for some, yet the activity has proven to be good for socialising, fun and laughter.
“Dancing is for any age and is excellent for exercise, building confidence, coordination, poise and posture. Studies have also confirmed the many benefits of dancing for mature people. It’s also a great anti-depressant.”
The studio, located at 185 Main Road, Strand, offers ballroom, Latin American, social dancing, wedding dances, langarm and sokkie dance classes, which are offered daily from 10:00 to 20:00.
Marais and business counterpart Chris Jacobs-Meyer of Step It Up Line Dancing, together, boast more than 25 years’ teaching experience. In many they have realised the studio’s motto, “Where you are the star!” And, fun is, of course, guaranteed.
Marais completed a three-year course at the University of Cape Town Ballet School after matriculating from Zwaanswyk High in 1973. She is an Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) licentiate in both ballroom and Latin American and holds a diploma in Spanish dancing, Ballet, Modern dancing and choreography and serves as a qualified adjudicator.
Asked what her big dance dream is, the mother of two grown sons and grandmother shares: “To see people enjoying themselves while learning to dance.”
Jacobs-Meyer boasts an associate level in all the dance styles he teaches, which are ballroom, Latin American and line dancing. The animal lover, who enjoys being outdoors, reading and cooking, recalled not being sure about the path he would take after school, and so started dancing – and hasn’t stopped doing so.
“Dancing allows me to express and experience emotions. Sometimes dancing is as good as a holiday, it brings one to the present moment.”
The 37-year-old dreams of one day competing with the dancers he turns out and taking his dance skills abroad.
Marais says over the last 27 years her studio has seen hundreds of students complete internationally recognised exams and successfully train up to professional level. They have won many competitions and have featured on television and live shows. They have also presented many team building workshops and demonstrations.
On whether the dance classes on offer are still popular, Jacobs-Mayer says: “Yes, they are. People from all walks attend classes – from the silent and serious to the talkative and belly laughing of all ages.”
Marais further implored interested locals to ring the studio up and book their first dance lesson “so that the fun may begin!”
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For more information on her dance studio, she can be contacted on 082 453 6421, or people can contact Jacobs-Meyer on 066 286 6703.
