Dance Spectrum – Symbiosis: A Celebration of Dance and Collaboration

The Johannesburg Youth Ballet (JYB) and the National School of the Arts (NSA) present an exciting collaborative season of youth dance for their 2024 season.

With funding from the National Arts Council and supported by Joburg Theatre, the JYB and the NSA present Dance Spectrum Symbiosis. Symbiosis is a good word to describe the supportive relationship that these two organisations have shared for 47 years in nurturing and finding opportunities for young dancers and choreographers to showcase their versatility, proficiency, and artistry.

SYMBIOSIS also describes diverse elements coming together harmoniously, and this is what Dance Spectrum does. Audiences will see a spectrum of dance from romantic ballet in the adaptation of Les Sylphides, to contemporary dance, to Spanish, to Hip Hop and to an audacious “amaballet” inspired by the popular amapiano music which has captured the global imagination through its infectious grooves, catchy piano melodies, and syncopated percussion.

Dance Spectrum SYMBIOSIS – is also a showcase of exciting and inventive work from young South African choreographers who are making waves both locally and internationally namely, Tshepo Zasakhaya (Contemporary), Thato Nkwe (Hip-Hop) and Bhungane Gabriel Mehlomakhulu (amaballet) – they join NSA educators and choreographers Laura Cameron, Gillian Bonegio and Yusuf Thomas.

Expect fresh ideas and bold voices in “symbiosis” and a relevant showcase of South African youth dance.

The rich repertoire featured in SYMBIOSIS includes an adaptation of the abstract “non-narrative” evocative Romantic Ballet “Les Sylphides” and the energetic Drum Dance from La Bayadere with choreography after Petipa.

Featured choreography from: