The 2012 Committee

Chairperson - Anique Kruger

Greetings! I’m Anique, the chairperson of Ballroom for 2012.
When I’m not on the dance floor I’ll have my nose in a book (or to be more precise – a Kindle) seeing as I’m in the third year of my undergrad in English and French literature.

I joined Ballroom in first year and got hooked the day that I realised that dancing with a partner makes you feel like a princess (or prince I guess). One of the things that I love about dancing at UCT is that you can experience the grace of Ballroom dancing and the sauciness of Latin simultaneously – it’s perfect for those split personality types.

Our society is primarily a social one, so I encourage you to swap partners and meet as many people as possible. Believe it or not, the people you see at dance class will soon become your new, extended (and slightly incestuous) family. I think you’ll find Ballroom just as rewarding when you’re off the dance floor as it when you’re on it!

Vice Chairperson - Jennifer Marshall

Hi there! I am the semi-eccentric soul that is the Vice-Chairperson for 2012. My name is Jennifer and I am addicted to UCT Ballroom, not just the dancing or the socialising or the Socials, but all of it! And you will be too if you, like me, have a love of music, movies, musicals and moving!

I am in third year studying English and Drama and what I deem should be considered a credited elective, Ballroom and Latin Dancing!

My love of dance started when I saw the wonderfully wholesome movie that we all know and love: Dirty Dancing.

One thing I noticed about it was that those who danced seemed to be a part of a very exclusive club and had a certain unattainable coolness that I could only aspire to… until I joined UCT Ballroom in 2011! I had had many years (in reality about 15, I started quite young) of musical training and had performed in ensembles, jazz bands, big bands as well as wind and symphony orchestras but had never danced to the music that I loved and still love so dearly, but through an interesting twist of fate and a moment of spontaneous impulsivity I joined UCT Ballroom and have never regretted it!

My best advice to the returning and new members is this:
Remember, even Fred Astaire had to start with the basics, so put your best foot forward, count the beats and make it musical!

Treasurer - Simon Goemans

Good morning!
I’m Simon and I am the Treasurer for 2012. I’m currently in my third year of a BCom PPE (Politics, Philosophy, and Economics) degree.

I joined UCT Ballroom in 2011 after having done a bit of dancing on a whim a few years before and joined the Committee as Treasurer after being influenced by other Committee members into taking the job.

Dancing started off as a fun hobby and has now become a passion, taking up most of my free time and sometimes time that initially was not so free! I have found that this society caters to all aspiring dancers, both those looking for social dancing and those who are inclined to more competitive dancing. Congratulations on joining and don’t be afraid to give dancing a try, you won’t be disappointed!

Socials— Bryce van de Laar

Hey hey everyone! I'm Bryce and I'm in charge of Socials! The thing is. . . I'm stuck in a spot here…last year the guy in charge of Socials was amazing: his Socials were fabulocity at its best, and I just hope that I can live up to that. . . hehe just kidding! He was rubbish. If you don't already know, this is my second year as a part of the Committee. It was so much fun last year and I had a really great time putting the Socials together that I'm keen for another year of it!

I am currently in third year studying Music and English. I joined UCT Ballroom in first year and loved it from the start! I really loved that within a month I could do things (with a girl) that I'd only ever seen on TV. I chose the Socials portfolio again because I know that that's where I really became a dancer. Yes, I learned the steps in class, but at Socials I truly became comfortable with dancing! Socials happen really often (almost every two weeks) so come to all of them. . . I'll be waiting!

Plaza Week and PR - Kathryn Luyt

Hello dancing people!!! I’m your Plaza Week and PR lady for 2012 and when I’m not working on my Linguistics Masters thesis, directing high school plays or teaching kiddies how to spell, you can find me breaking it down with the rest of the UCT dancers, sokkie-ing in the Northern Suburbs or on Facebook.

I joined UCT Ballroom at the beginning of 2010, when I thought to myself, “This might be my last year at UCT and I haven’t joined any societies!?!”, so I finally decided to take a friend’s advice – Wow! Why had I not listened to her before?! Of course I was a little intimidated at first because of the sheer mass of people trying to cram into Jammie Hall for the first few lessons but when the classes started, I had to make friends – Ballroom and Latin dances are not solo activities, and meeting different people (lots of them) is guaranteed! Not too long into the term, I was hooked! Now I am absolutely besotted with dancing and the easiest way to make me smile is to ask me for a dance.

No matter how many left feet you think you have, come to UCT Ballroom!

After all…“dancing almost always turns out to be a good idea”!

Medal Tests - Maxine van der Schyff

Hi! I’m Maxine and I am the person on the Committee who is the most likely to frighten you with my bubbly personality!

My advice: Take a step back and breathe.

Don’t worry, you’ll get used to me soon enough!

I joined UCT Ballroom last year and let me tell you something: Dancing is addictive! Sometimes there are days when I feel too tired or am just not in the mood for dancing, but that feeling evaporates the second I hear the music and do the first few steps of a dance. It’s not just the dancing side of this society that has me hooked:
I have made so many friends here!

I started dancing because I went through a phase of watching all these dance movies and I just knew I wanted to be able move like that (come on, girls. I bet we’ve all wanted to do the Argentine Tango with Antonio Banderas in Take the Lead). So, during O-Week, I looked out for the dancing society and the rest is history. I know it sounds cheesy and clichéd but I feel that this society has become an extension of my family and a home away from home.

Hope to see you soon!

Intervarsity - Megan Hughes

Hi! I’m Megan and I am in charge of Intervarsity this year.

Joining the Ballroom and Latin Dancing Society in 2011 was definitely the best decision I made. It was my first year at UCT (although I was pursuing a postgraduate degree) and I decided that this would be the year I would learn how not to trip over my own two feet on the dance floor. Little did I know that I would get so much more out of it than becoming better co-ordinated! Dancing proved not only to be a great stress- reliever and a great way to get fit, but I also got to meet so many cool people. I’ve made some of my closest friends on the dance floor and had the opportunity to go all-out getting ready for a myriad of Socials themes! I hope to get some real competition for ‘best-dressed’ this year!

Formal - Katherine Chatry

Hello everyone! I'm Kat.

Two years ago I followed a friend to a dance class thinking I would sit on the side-lines and watch, but I soon found myself joining in and by the time the class was over, I was hooked and have been a part of the Society ever since.

I'm currently studying Mechatronics and despite the heavy workload, it is always a pleasure to take an hour or two to forget about equations, forces, computers and all the rest and just go for a spin on the dance floor learning new steps and practicing old ones as well as spending some time with good friends before heading back, all the more ready to tackle that mountain of books.

This year I will also be organising the Formal. This is when you can put all the year's hard work on the dance floor to good use, get dressed to kill and enjoy a wonderful evening in a beautifully decorated ballroom with some of the most awesome people you'll ever dance with.

I hope to give you all a magical and unforgettable night!

IT - Nicholas Heins

Hey everyone. I’m Nicholas and I am the IT guy for UCT Ballroom this year, so if you have any queries about IT-related stuff, music or photos, give me a shout and I’ll see what I can do to help.

I joined UCT Ballroom in my 2nd year at UCT while showing a friend around during O-Week. We dared each other to join and both signed up thinking: “This won’t be for us”. Well I couldn't have been more wrong! After a couple of weeks I had fallen in love with the society and have never looked back.

It is an amazing place to meet people from all the different faculties at UCT and form lasting friendships with them. With UCT Ballroom, you have the opportunity to dance socially without having to worry about being scrutinized, because we are all here learn and to have a great time, AND for those feeling a little competitive you have the chance to go to Intervarsity and show the other Universities of South Africa who has the best Ballroom and Latin Dancers!

Looking forward to meeting you all.

Contact uctballroom@gmail.com