Byo dance prodigy for Canada

. Bruce Ndlovu
Ashley Moyo, a nimble-footed 11-year-old pupil at Mabhukudwane Primary School in Bulawayo is set to showcase her skills in front of Canadians in June after being identified as one of the countrya��s budding dance stars.

The Grade Six pupil will join 14 other pupils from around the country as part of childrena��s dance organisation Chipawoa��s two-week sojourn to the North American country.

The prodigious Ashley is a product of Chipawoa��s schools initiative, which has seen the reputable childrena��s dance organisation teaming up with schools from around the country to identify the best talent in the field of dance.

Each year the best talent from around the countrya��s schools are chosen to perform at Chipawoa��s end of year Christmas concert where young dancers are presented with certificates, while the top 15 from the best 150 are chosen to represent the country in Chipawoa��s annual overseas visit.

This yeara��s tour to Canada will begin on 5 June.

Esteemed choreographer, arts educator and Chipawo administrator for Bulawayo Richard Ndlovu said Ashley was a good ambassador for the city of Bulawayo who had been identified for her inimitable dance skills and on-stage energy.

a�?She is a great ambassador and a child who has a lot of energy once on stage. She cana��t fail to impress any audience because dance is something that comes naturally to her,a�? he said.

Ndlovu added that Ashleya��s support was also partly due to the support that she had received from her parents and school, something that was rare in the arts.

a�?A lot of parents prioritise academic achievement and that is a good thing. Children however, should also be encouraged to be equally excellent in other fields and that is where her parents, the school head and SDA have played a key role,a�? he said.

Ashleya��s 28-year-old mother said that being a dance enthusiast herself, she wanted her to attain heights that she had not reached herself.

a�?I am an arts enthusiast myself so I support her fully because I love art too. I love dancing myself but that is not my focus at the moment because we have to sort out the financial logistics of Ashleya��s trip including securing her visa,a�? she said.

She added that Ashleya��s talent was obvious even to the casual onlooker from an early age.

a�?Ita��s a God given gift and the only right thing is to support her because the talent was noticeable even from as early as three years old,a�? she said.