The Theatre Dance Association presents Dancers for Dancers at Artscape

The TDA was founded by Diane Fincham-Hurlin, Janice Tighe and Denise Morrison in 2004. The organisation is an association that consists of approximately 150 teachers, all of whom cherish the opportunity for new and different challenges, irrespective of which dance disciplines they teach or to which other organisations they may belong. The TDA offers an exciting and stimulating Modern, Tap and Hip Hop syllabus, including Ballet Performance Medals that give children the chance to develop their personalities and confidence levels onstage, and prepares them for a professional career in the performing arts.

Fincham-Hurlin explains that the TDA is not just a syllabus organisation but also a dance teachers' association with the focus on nurturing teachers. To this end the TDA hosts many events throughout the year to inspire and motivate its teachers, as well as dancers of all ages and events that include workshops, teachers' classes, championships in various dance genres, and the successful Eisteddfod of the Performing Arts, to name a few. The latter is a competitive arena employing up to 18 adjudicators, all specialists in their particular fields and the next event in August is eagerly anticipated.

The three founding members of the TDA are all well-known teachers. Diane Fincham-Hurlin, although retired from teaching, is known and loved for her infectious enthusiasm and energy, and through the TDA's developed syllabi with her two counterparts, has taken dance to a new level by providing a different format for children to be trained for the stage. Janice Tighe is a qualified freelance Ballet, Modern and Jazz teacher and choreographer who has worked in Canada and who is also a Pilates instructor. Denise Morrison has extensive training in Tap, Ballet, Modern and Scottish dancing and through the TDA, together they continually foster teachers, encouraging them to explore more dance disciplines and to take up new challenges.

This year the TDA event will showcase close to 400 children from 20 dance schools in the Western Cape from as far a field as Swellendam. All dance genres will be represented and the participating children range in age from 4 to 24 years of age. Dancers for Dancers promises to be a dynamic and fun celebration of dance. Guest artists from Cape Town City Ballet, Laura Bosenberg and Thomas Thorne, will perform the beautiful Swan Lake pas de deux from Act 2. Tickets for Dancers for Dancers cost R100 & R120 via Computicket or 021 421 7695. advance booking is recommended.