It is with great pleasure that we announce our winner of Dancer of the Month for July 2015, LEE-SHANE BOOYSEN! Congratulations!
We spoke to Lee-Shane to find out a bit more about him and his dance.
Lee-Shane is 24 years old grew up in Mitchell’s Plain, Lentergeur.
Dance Society: What inspired you to first dance and what keeps you motivated now?
Lee-Shane Booysen: I was inspired to dance by my younger sister Chevonne, her passion for dance was overwhelming and I wanted to know why? So I joined her and my hunger to learn began. What keeps me motivated now is teaching and learning more and more about dance, its culture and how it serves the people I interact with.
DS: How long have you been dancing/training for?
LB: I have been dancing for 14 years and out of those years 8 have been dedicated to training. teaching, learning and growing in dance.
DS: Typically, how many hours a week do you train/dance?
LB: I set apart two hours a day 7 days a week.
DS: Please mention the places you have trained and some of the dancers who trained you, or helped to train you.
LB: I started in my local church, however I moved on to Turning Point Dance School in Mitchell’s Plain. After the dance school I trained with people locally like Anuq Wilson, Alistor Adams, Bheki Inglovu, Daphne Jubber, and Emile Jansen. Internationally I have done workshops with Tight Eyes, Les Twins, Eazy Twinns, Karim, Flex, Parris Goebel from Request crew, Brian Puspos and Brian Green.
DS: If you could meet and train with any dancer in the world, who would it be and why?
LB: I would love to meet and train with Ejoe Wilson house Dancer from the United States; house dance pioneer. House dance is one of my passions, it teaches real expression in dance. And Ejoe is house, I have to learn from him.
DS: Who is the dancer that inspires you the most?
LB: Honestly, a new dancer with hectic drive.
DS: In your opinion, what is the biggest problem with dance in South Africa?
LB: I would say the biggest challenge in the dance world for me is the mentality that successful dancers adapt, they tend to forget the beauty and the passion that used to drive them for the money. And yes money is needed and reputations are built, however most don’t give back and the next dance generation suffers. In my opinion I can say that the generation that started hip hop in South Africa laid a solid foundation, however the generations that came after tasted success too quickly and forgot to give back. In the dance world its me, myself and I and who ever whats it more he or she will get it. It will change with time the new generation is coming up.
DS: Where do you see yourself in 10 years time, with reference to dance?
LB: In a ten year span i will travel with developed and create my own dance company. For the generations to pioneer bigger things.
DS: Could you please mention some tips/advice would like to give any other dancers who are on similar paths to you?
LB: Expand your skill set and keep an open mind and learn to love business. Love God and he will lift you up.
DS: What is a slogan or saying that you believe in?
LB: Progress not perfection.
DS: Anything else you would like to mention?
LB: I’ve represented South Africa in Croatia in May and came 1st in hip hop and bboy and got the best solo dancer award. I’ll be representing South Africa again in October. Any help that anybody can offer please. My number Is 0786747985.
Follow and support Lee-Shane’s journey by adding him on Facebook (Lee-Shane Guzzler Booysen).
Please find attached, Lee-Shane’s Artist Portfolio.
A huge thank you and congratulations to Lee-Shane for being our July 2015 Dancer of the Month!
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Photo credit: Ference Isaacs Photography.
Photo credit: Ference Isaacs Photography.
Dance Society ZA 
Lee Shane is a most deserving winner of this award as his talent, hard work, passion and dedication is remarkable. He has earned the right to represent South Africa in the International Dance Organisation’s competition in Italy in October but needs to raise at least R15,000 to achieve this dream. PLEASE contact him if you can contribute or fundraise or find sponsors for him.
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