National Co-Ordinator

MELANIE ERASMUS
DANCE EXPERIENCE

Ballet
Ballet (R.A.D.) training at the age of 4 under the late Mrs.Harrison from Fish Hoek and later with Wendy Abrahams at the CAFDA school of dance. I went until Advanced level. Entered Eisteddfod’s, Competitions, Lecture demonstrations and also toured South Africa with Sheila Chisolm.

Modern-Jazz
Trained under Stephanie Rutherford and Trish Rogers. Last Grade passed: Prelim Higher
Entered Eisteddfod’s, Competitions, Promotions, Corporates etc.

Spanish Dancing
Trained under the late Carolyn Holden (Carolina Rosa-La Rosa Spanish Dance Theatre Company). Completed IDB Junior Teachers diploma. Part of her first professional company at the age of 14, after being with her for one year. Part of the company that performed at the Vita Awards in Johannesburg. Performed at festivals held in Cape Town and Grahamstown. Took a team to the Grahamstown Arts Festival

Hip-hop
Taught Hip-hop Grades to children and teens as well as a couple of dance studios. Hip-hop choreographer. Judged at 1 or 2 hip-hop competitions. Was part of a travelling hip-hop band, South Africa and America.

CHRISTIAN DANCE
During high school, I became a Christian after attending a church event. Dance was a big part of my life since the age of 4 years. After becoming a Christian, I was not sure if I could further my dance within the church. After about a year, I felt the Lord ushering me into using my dance for His Kingdom. I did not know what the rules were at this point but went forward listening to his leading every step of the way.
CHARISMA DANCE GROUP
I started a group called Charisma with 3 of my sisters and a best friend. We all had been dancers and committed our lives to Christ. Our first performance was in the early 80’s at a youth camp. Quickly thereafter, we found ourselves ministering every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
At that time church dance was not heard of in our communities. Before we could practically dance, we had to minister the biblical basis for dance in a worship setting. We’ve encountered opposition but as young people knew that God was calling us to be ambassadors in Christian dance. Soon after, we were asked to do workshops and teach dance in most of the denominations in South Africa. Ministered at most youth rally’s and coffee bars in Cape Town every weekend, invited guest dance group for the National Youth Week, hosted by Youth for Christ in Magaliesburg, opening act for the International group Petra. Nominated to be the opening act for DC Talk. Scripture union camp and youth performances. Ron Kenoly worship dance team