It will be a bittersweet moment for the family and friends of Alex Bruce when he leaves to study for eight months at the National Cuban Ballet School in Havana.
It will be a bittersweet moment for the family and friends of Alex Bruce when he leaves to study for eight months at the National Cuban Ballet School in Havana.
Most schoolboys complain that homework and school sport keep them busy enough. Add to that additional gym training, physiotherapy, 10 extra classes a week, plus talent and enthusiasm, and you have what it takes to train at one of the world's most prestigious dance schools.
The 18-year-old St Andrew's College pupil departs for Johannesburg on 16 August to take classes with Mzansi Productions, before departing for Cuba in October.
The Grade 11 pupil was selected to study at the prestigious institute after the company invited Bruce to attend a dance workshop in Cuba in April 2011.
Shortly after his arrival in Havana, he had to prepare two dance pieces to perform at an audition at a gala dinner.
"Having to audition before a panel of judges and an audience of more than a hundred people was nerve-wracking. I didn't think I could pull it off, because I was still recovering from a back injury," said Bruce.
Bruce fractured a vertebra due to excessive use of his lower back. The injury left him unable to dance and often bed-ridden, for five months.
"At first I thought it was just a stretch pain and would go away," he said. "It went away, but kept coming back. Eventually, my back was fractured."
Bruce said that was the most terrifying time of his life, because he couldn't do what he loved most.
"I couldn't move, I couldn't dance and I had to walk very slowly. I thought I would never be able to dance again," he said.
"Training in Cuba will mean that Alex will have contact with some of the elite dancers and teachers in the industry. Cuba is renowned for producing excellence and most international companies are rife with Cuban dancers," said St Andrew's Public Relations liaison, Cherrië Wille.
Bruce is understandably thrilled at being granted the opportunity. "I will give it my all," he said.
But it hasn't been plain sailing.
Bruce draws his inspiration from dance movies and his “amazing” dance teacher, Hermien Potgieter.
When Grocott's Mail interviewed Bruce, he was preparing for a practical exam in which he had to choreograph a piece based on improvisations. He had also choreographed one especially for the exam.
His school is justifiably proud of him. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for this exceptionally talented young man," Wille said.
"Despite his school commitments, he physically trains at a semi-professional level, doing at least 10 classes a week, excluding his additional gym training that includes working closely with a physiotherapist and biokineticist,” said Wille.
"Alex has a very rare talent and it is a privilege to be able to witness his exceptional development," said Wille.
His mother, Anna Christensen, has mixed feelings.
"Although I am devastated to be losing my boy, I know that he was born to dance and I am just thrilled for him,” she said.
“This is an amazing opportunity and I still have to pinch myself to be sure I'm not dreaming," Christensen said. "I am unbelievably proud."
She said that if Alex continued to do well, the school could invite him to stay on and join the company.
Keep your eyes peeled, because you'll be seeing more of this young man – whether on your television screens or in magazines.
And if you're lucky enough to see him in a live performance, you'll understand why those who've watched Alex Bruce dance say they've been moved to tears.
