Power, Pirouettes, and Protea Colours: Fabiana Takes the World Dance Stage
Our Senior School Arts superstar, Fabiana, has officially taken her extraordinary talent to the world stage.
Her road to global acclaim reached top gear at the South African Body of Dance competition, where she entered the World Trial Circuit (WTC), which is the highest competitive ranking in the discipline. Dancing her heart out, Fabiana delivered breathtaking routines to secure 2nd Place in Streetshow and 3rd Place in Freestyle.
Those stellar results not only qualified her for Nationals and secured her Gauteng Provincial Colours but also punched her ticket straight to the global arena. In July, Fabiana dressed in the green and gold to represent South Africa at the prestigious IDO World Street Dance Show Championships in Slovenia, in the Juniors 1 category, earning her official Protea Colours in the process.
We caught up with Fabiana to hear firsthand how she conquered the floor against the finest dancers on the planet.
The Journey & Preparation
What went into preparing for a competition at an international level, and how did you mentally and physically prepare to step onto that global stage?
“Preparing for the IDO World Street Dance Championships in Slovenia in the Juniors 1 category took months of dedication. Physically, I trained 3 to 4 times a week at my dance studio, EMSD, with my choreographer and dance teacher, focusing on street dance technique, stamina, musicality and perfecting my routines and freestyles. Mentally, I prepared by setting goals, visualising my performance and learning to stay calm under pressure. Knowing I was representing St Mary’s DSG and South Africa on a world stage and wearing my Protea Colours kept me motivated and gave me confidence.”
The Standout Moment
What was the single most exhilarating or unforgettable moment you experienced while competing abroad?
“The most unforgettable moment was hearing my name called as 8th in the world in Juniors 1 Street Dance. Standing on that International stage in Slovenia surrounded by the best street dancers from around the world was surreal. I’ll also never forget the energy backstage with hundreds of dancers from all over the globe sharing a passion for street dance.”
Key Takeaways & Growth
Representing your school and country internationally is a massive milestone. What was your biggest takeaway or lesson learned from competing alongside talents from around the world?
“Earning my Protea Colours and representing my school and country is a great source of pride. My biggest takeaway was learning about discipline, resilience and self-expression. Nothing comes easy. Competing at that level showed me how important it is to be prepared. Being prepared promotes belief in yourself. Learn from others and be humble. South Africans are the most tenacious competitors out there! That’s for sure.”
Inspiration for Peers
What piece of advice would you give to other students at our school who dream of taking their creative passions to a national or international level?
“Just because you are competing on the world stage doesn’t mean you can’t win. You have to dream big and give it 120% all the time. Learn from others but always believe in your ability. There will always be challenges, but every bit of practice reduces those challenges.”
Fabiana, your entire school community is immensely proud of your dedication, electrifying passion, and fierce tenacity. Ranking 8th in the world and earning your Protea Colours is a spectacular achievement that elevates the entire Arts@DSG at St Mary’s. You went out there, left it all on the dance floor, and made South Africa proud. Keep dreaming big, keep inspiring us, and keep shining bright!!
