Grounded In Dance, Ready For The Future: Soweto’s So Dope Dance Academy

Soweto, the storied Johannesburg township, is a city within a city.  Created during the apartheid era, Soweto has long played an important role in South Africa’s history. The city is a cradle of black creativity and much of the popular culture we identify as South African comes from Soweto.  From music—Kwaito and Amapiano, to dance—Pantsula and Sbhujwa, Soweto has birthed it all and continues to be a major influence shaping South African culture. 

I had the privilege of giving a Kuduro class to the bright young talents of So Dope Dance Academy. The class took place at the Nike community center in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa.  My focus for the class was to introduce students to Kuduro moves. I was confident that the style would resonate with the students because many Angolan moves are similar to South African moves.  Not surprisingly, the students were engaged, eager to learn and quickly picked up the Kuduro steps and routine. 

Looking around the room, I saw nothing but a bright future.  Through dance, these young people were engaged in their community, learning together, challenging themselves and developing vital skills that will take them through their adult lives.  The broad smiles across their faces showed how deeply dance touched them, and made them happy.  But what struck me most was how fearless and open they were to learning something new.  They didn’t approach the class with intimidation, or worry.  Instead they dived head first, challenging themselves, working together and inquiring when they didn’t quite get it. They worked amongst themselves to drill and improve their execution, and asked many questions.  I stood at the front of the class filled with pride, recognizing that these are all vital qualities needed for a successful life, and through dance these young bright minds from Soweto possessed it. 

I caught up Tarynne Alberts, the director of Soweto So dope, to get a better understanding of the dance academy.

AFROCONEX:  Tarynne, thank you for the invitation to teach a class to your academy.  The students are amazing and I need to congratulate you on the work you are doing with them.  Tell us about yourself.  Where are you from, what role does dance play in your life ?

TARRYN: My name is Tarryn Alberts aka Coach TNT and I'm thrilled to share my story with you. I'm from South Africa, Eldorado Park and dance has been a huge part of my life since I was a child. Growing up, I was fascinated by the energy and creativity of South African dance styles, and I knew I wanted to share that passion with others. Ive been a professional dancer since the tender age of 17, and after being on 6 world tours I decided to return home to my community and start a dance academy in 2018.

AFROCONEX: Tell us more about So Dope Dance Academy. When and why was it started?  What is the mission?  How many students are in the academy?  And the age range of students? 

TARRYN: So Dope Dance Academy was started to provide a platform for young dancers to learn, grow, and express themselves through dance. Our mission is to empower our students with the skills, confidence, and creativity to succeed in the dance industry and beyond. We currently have 80 students in the academy, ranging in age from 6 to 25years old. The aim is to serve youth in disenfranchised communities who face challenges like social ills, gun violence and gangsterism, to empower them through dance training, meditation and nurture their life skills.

AFROCONEX: tell us about some of the accomplishments the academy has achieved? 

TARRYN: We're proud of many accomplishments, including competing in prestigious dance competitions like Global Dance Supreme and achieving top placings. Our students have also had opportunities to participate in a Global campaign by Nike Airforce 1-40th Anniversary, Own The Floor, Standard Bank Youth campaign, which has helped build their confidence and stage presence.

AFROCONEX:  South Africa is home to many native urban dance styles: Kwaito, Pantsula, Bhujwa, and now the latest craze Amapiano.  What role does the native styles play in the students dance training, and how much of the training focuses on styles from outside of South Africa?  When focusing on styles outside of Africa, is the focus other African styles like Kuduro, or is the focus on styles from North America like hip hop and jazz ?

TARRYN: Native dance styles play a significant role in our students' training. We incorporate styles like Pantsula, Amapiano, Sbujwa, Bacardi into our curriculum, as they are an integral part of South African dance culture. We also explore other African styles like Afro, Traditional Zulu dance, Afro Contemporary but our focus is primarily on developing our students' technical skills and versatility

AFROCONEX:  We know the power of extracurricular activities like dance and how it helps create well rounded students. We are all familiar that dance teaches discipline, but beyond that, I saw many other qualities in the students:  team work, inquisitive minds, fearlessness, curiosity, and strength.  All skills that I think are so important and vital to lead successful adult lives.   When working with the students, how do you talk to them about the future and are you consciously developing these skills as part of their dance training?

TARRYN: When working with our students, we emphasize the importance of discipline, teamwork, and creativity. We encourage them to be inquisitive, fearless, and curious, as these qualities will serve them well in their future endeavors. We have open discussions about their goals and aspirations, and we strive to develop these skills as part of their dance training. We have integrated meditation into our dance sessions too, to assist dancers who possibly face anxiety before performing or even in their everyday life.

AFROCONEX:  Soweto has a storied history and much of what we know of it stems from the apartheid era. Today, Soweto has become synonymous with popular South African urban dance and music culture. What are some of the challenges the students face being from Soweto? 

TARRYN: As students from Soweto, our dancers face unique challenges, including limited resources and opportunities. However, we're committed to providing them with the support and guidance they need to succeed. In terms of dance opportunities, we're working to create pathways for our students to pursue dance as a career, whether that's through performance, choreography, or teaching.

AFROCONEX: We all have hopes, dreams and aspirations. Can you share with us your dreams and aspirations for the group. 

TARRYN: My dream is for So Dope Dance Academy to become a dance franchise institution in South Africa, providing opportunities for young dancers to develop their skills and pursue their passions. I aspire to see our students succeed in the dance industry and beyond, using their talents to make a positive impact in their communities especially through giving back.

AFROCONEX: What are some of the challenges you face in running the academy?  How do you sustain the program and what support do you need to continue with the academy? 

TARRYN: Running the academy comes with its challenges, including securing funding and resources. We rely on the support of sponsors, donors, and volunteers to sustain our program. We're grateful for any support we can get to continue providing opportunities for our students.

Some pics from meeting So Dope in Soweto.

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