(Pic: Casey Swales and Taryn Makaab)All kudos to Taryn Makaab for her new venture which should be strongly supported. (Review by Caroline Smart)
One of Durban’s most accomplished dancers, Taryn Makaab, has started her own dance organisation. Called Break-Thru Dance Company, it was launched last month at Durban’s Florida Road Church with a presentation titled Under Construction which offered a mix of styles from classical ballet and pointe work to breakdance and krumping.
Durban-born, Taryn became one of the top ranked dancers in ballet, modern, tap and acrobatics in South Africa before she matriculated in 1999 at Crawford College. She then went to Cleveland Ohio to achieve her dream as a professional dancer. At the age of 18, she joined The Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre and was later offered a scholarship to Dance Theatre of Harlem ballet school in New York where she eventually became a soloist in their school company. After two years in New York, she returned to South Africa and was offered the lead role in African Footprint and she worked with the show for four years, moving to many major cities around the world. She has recently finished two seasons as one of the lead dancers of the neo-classical ballet company, Bovim Ballet.
Battling an onerous schedule of deadlines, I was only able to see the first half of Under Construction but what I did see impressed me considerably even though it comprised much of the same in terms of choreography. However, the main achievement is that she has got the company up and running and intends actively seeking corporate work.
Much effort had obviously gone into adapting the venue with drapes and an impressive lighting rig and sound system. All kudos to the church and its pastor for recognising the need and providing the venue.
First number was Breaking Thru followed by Genesis which featured a solo by Taryn Makaab reminding us of her strong talent and focus. Taryn was partnered by the equally impressive Casey Swales in Framed Act 1 which was followed by Framed Act 2 before a highly energetic hiphop piece, Take Things Off. The numbers were mainly fast-paced and energetic and flowed easily into easy other, the hip hop pieces sitting surprisingly comfortably with numbers performed en pointe
More information from Teresa on 073 367 3469 – Caroline Smart
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