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The show goes on, even if we sometimes have to improvise!
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The Amoyo Performing Arts Foundation is a non-profit organisation (NPO) based in Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa.
Co-founded in March 2015 by voiceover artist and entrepreneur Kim Worrall with dance teachers Mandisa Qwesha and Nandipha Sandlana, Amoyo's mission is to uplift the Hout Bay communities of Imizamo Yethu and Hangberg, one child at a time, through an ongoing after-school and holiday programme of high-quality dance, drama, music and performance classes.
Our vision is that all Amoyo children will continue into tertiary education after school, equipped not only with performing arts skills but also with self-esteem, self-confidence, self-discipline and the life skills to conquer their futures successfully.
Amoyo means “Spirit of Appreciation” (appreciating everything and everyone) and the foundation’s unique approach to upskilling and empowering the children of Hout Bay is already making a huge difference. "When you have parents thanking you regularly, you know the impact you are having on their children," says Kim.
But this is just the beginning. We have exciting plans for the rest of the year (and beyond!) so we invite you to continue subscribing to our monthly newsletter, to "like" our Facebook page and to follow us on Twitter.
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Congratulations to Lindokuhle Ncube, who made it through to the second round of the recent ANNIE auditions. She and three other Amoyo girls were then invited to participate in a musical theatre workshop directed by world-class performers, directors and choreographers Anton Luitingh
and Duane Alexander. Out of 10, the girls gave their experience a rating of 100!
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Amoyo was invited to take part and perform in Valley Pre-Primary's annual Sandcastle Competition, supported by Mhinti Pato from iKhaya Le Themba, Gillian Pringle, Galletti Knight Frank and Barney’s Deli. The girls can't wait to participate again next year.
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Amoyo just got a lot more hip (hop)
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Rashied "B-Boy Rush" Warner, a Street Hip Hop dancer at the top of his game on the SA circuit, joined our teaching staff in April and was promptly invited to attend an Association of International Dance Teachers (AIDT) training course. "I had an amazing experience. I have so much to give back to our kids, and we will be working on lots of new pieces. Big shout out to Amoyo for this opportunity. Let's make some noisz!"
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Amoyo co-founders and dance teachers Mandisa Qwesha and Nandipha Sandlana recently spent a "very inspiring" day observing classes at the Waterfront Theatre School. "The fourth years' ballet repertoire class really blew me away," said Mandisa (pictured below, front row, centre). "Watching the dancers working incredibly hard in this really well constructed class was the highlight of my day."
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Recent appointments at Amoyo include fundraiser Sue Howell, who brings with her over 30 years of experience in the NPO sector, project manager Joanne Gibson, who will develop our marketing & media strategy, and office administrator Marilyn Jacobs, who will also teach from time to time.
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Chandre Baatjies has been instrumental in setting up our new office and database in recent months. She now leaves us to pursue a career in journalism. Break a leg, Chandre!
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We are hugely grateful to Annie Sowden and Debbie Nordien of Red Hot Events, who donated 60 mini djembe drums, and to our Netherlands-based supporters Jacqueline
De Rooij and family, who recently arrived with a huge collection of dance attire for our children - many of whom had never worn a leotard or ballet shoes before. We're drumming up a storm and our ballet classes are looking so pretty now. Thank you!
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We'd also like to thank the following people this month: our chairman George Zacharias (Hout Bay Partnership), financial director Sean Wilkins (Sawfin Financial Services), photographer Ashley Newall (Hout Bay Partnership), Bridgette Mangcu (HBCCA Iziko Lobomi), Angus Duffett (Silikamva High School), Claudene Overmeyer (Sentinel Primary School), Delia Sainsbury (Waterfront Theatre School), Duane Alexander and Anton Luitingh (The Musical Theatre Workshop), Lorna Field (Kronendal Music Academy), Pierre Dohrmann and Lee Warren (Amakhaya Guest Lodge), Lindy Kokhuis, John Boerstra, Kees Dingler, Annette Jung, Keren Lindlay, Trudi and Alex van Zyl, Tom, Linda and Georgia Purcell, and all who have been instrumental in getting Amoyo to where we are today.
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From tracksuit pants to tap shoes, Amoyo welcomes donations of any outgrown and/or gently worn dancewear. We also welcome volunteers so please contact us if you have a skill you feel we would benefit from, and a few hours to spare. Thank you for your ongoing support!
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