Dance and art are integrally woven into the core of the Welkom born and bred, dancer extraordinaire Elizora Rossouw.
Elizora (22) started dancing at the age of four years, and represented South Africa at the world championships when she was selected to be part of the South African team in 2012, 2014 to 2018, and in 2022.
Elizora held the title of Free State champion in freestyle and slow dance for four consecutive years, from 2014 to 2018.
“This is when I decided to stop participating as a competitive dancer, but rather start with my qualifications as a professional competitive trainer,” she says.
In 2007 she started with acrobatics and modern exams.
This talented dancer has always aspired to be the best of the best, and took any and all obstacles thrown her way as an opportunity to grow and prove herself.
“As long as I work hard, I always remember that I can do anything through Christ who gives me strength.”
Through her years of dancing and teaching, she has made it her life’s mission to one day establish an academy where she can help her students become the best version of themselves.
“My dancers must not become the next Martha Graham, Picasso or best actor, but rather implement the fundamentals these greats have taught us and what they have given us. My dancers must become the ‘best, first you’ that they can,” she says.
Elizora matriculated from the St Andrew’s School in Welkom in 2018.
She is a qualified dance teacher and trainer, with an advanced acrobatics teacher’s qualification, a pre-associates modern teachers qualification, and a student freestyle trainer qualification.
“For as long as I can remember, her dancing has been an integral part of Elizora’s life and it has brought me the most beautiful memories filled with joy,” says her mother, Natasha Rossouw.
Natasha herself was once an entertainer and formidable vocalist who used to enthral audiences with her vocal gymnastics.
“I have always taught Elizora to work hard, and I have emphasised to her what discipline brings and that she can do all things through Christ who gives her strength. She wants to share all that she can with her dancers,” says Natasha.
Elizora remembers the impact her own teachers had on her, and wants to be the best mentor she can possibly be for those around her.
She loves working with children and people in general.
“Being able to help them become the best and help them prove to themselves what they are capable of, is what inspires me to teach.
“I aspire to do this through my own school, Elizora’s Arts Academy.”
“I aspire to be the first of a kind: Elizora Rossouw, the dance teacher who teaches with passion, the dance teacher who showcases love, kindness, loyalty, and one whose dancers love to dance. Not because they have to, but because they want to,” she enthuses.
The styles that this versatile dancer has mastered include modern, acrobatics, aerial acrobatics, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, tumbling, progressive ballet, competitive dance, freestyle and slow dance, rock and roll, disco, and disco freestyle.
Elizora says she has achieved the most in competitive dance freestyle, slow dance, disco and disco freestyle, qualifying for world championships in these styles.
