At the tender age of 15, she has a list of national and international dancing awards behind her name. She is also about to add another accolade – a scholarship at the Orlando Ballet Company and School in Florida, USA. Scarlett Schutte sure is taking the world of dancing by storm.
Dancing has always been her passion, and devoting her afternoons to countless hours of dance training and discipline is one thing she loves dearly. Scarlett has been dancing since the age of eight, where she experimented with various genres throughout her journey. She started with freestyle but soon realised that performing arts is where her passion lies.
We catch up with this teenager to find out where her drive for success comes from.
On a personal note
Scarlett Schutte grew up in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, as the eldest of two children in a loving and supportive family.
‘I have a young sister called Sienna. She is a wonderful person on the inside and out, and I am grateful to have her as a sister. Fortunately, my father is one of those fathers who considers dancing a sport and fully supports me 1000%. Above all, my mum is my rock, my day one, and my best friend. She is the reason I never give up on my dreams and who I am today.’
Her mother used to do Latin American dancing when she was younger and she was the one who got Scarlett into dancing.
‘I just can’t imagine doing anything else.’
International Victory
She holds numerous national and international awards. To name a few: World Champion – Dance Star Croatia 2018 in the Open Section; IDO World Championships Poland 2018 fifth place junior groups; IDO World Championships Slovenia 2022 – first place Junior Ballet Repetoire section and fourth place Junior Ballet Classical Section; National Junior winner KykNet’s Dans in Jou Taal 2021; scholarship recipient at New York City Dance Project; World Dance Movement second place jazz and lyrical.
She also received automatic entry into the finals in Italy in July 2023; Broadway Dance Centre New York Scholarship Recipient 2022, and Tanec Bez Hiranic Scholarship 2022.
‘My first international victory makes me the proudest. In the Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England, I won the U10 lyrical solo section. I’m most proud of this one because it was my first world champion title and I did it in front of my entire family, which I’m sure made them proud as well! I also recently won the Ballet Repertoire section at the IDO World Championships in Slovenia in December 2022.
In December 2021, she competed in a competition called California Dance Classics and she was also awarded a scholarship to Orlando Ballet Company and School for 2022.
‘However, we were not able to secure my visa in time and the ballet school was so gracious to let the scholarship carry over till 2023.’
Scarlett had to resubmit her scholarship video and was notified that she has been awarded her scholarship again for June 26 to July 28 and her visa is in place.
Orlando Ballet Company and School is one of the Top 20 ballet schools in the USA and only dancers with a high degree of technical training get accepted.
An opportunity like no other
With her visa in hand, and almost time to jet off to Orlando Ballet Company and School in Florida, Scarlett is ready for this opportunity of a lifetime.
‘I have a few years left of dancing before I decide to make a career out of it. I have to use it wisely. These opportunities are amazing and to be able to go and participate in them would be a dream come true. The friendships and networking will be priceless.’
She hopes to learn more about ballet in general and to gather as much information as possible.
‘To be able to be in the presence of an international choreographer/teacher is always something you must make the most of. And of course, you simply have to gain a lot of life experience!’
Her trip’s impact on her normal day-to-day life in South Africa is under control because she believes her school, Helpmekaar Kollege, has a very good system in place for learners to take advantage of amazing opportunities abroad.
‘They are extremely helpful, and all academic systems are in place for when I return.’
Dancing and training six to seven days a week must present some challenges, as one may tend to avoid socialising, but for Scarlett, this is not a problem because she makes time to socialise with friends and family.
‘Fortunately, because I attend a mainstream school, I get to see my classmates. I have dancing buddies. Outside of school and dancing, my friends will always make an effort to see me on weekends, preferably in the afternoon. After school and dancing, I spend time with my family. My teachers at Eborall Melville De Witt and Shablam Dance Academy are extremely encouraging!’
Lend a helping hand
She shares with us the details of her BackaBuddy campaign to help raise funds for her trip
‘We decided to do a BackaBuddy campaign because of the large outlay to stay there for five weeks. Although my class tuition is covered by the scholarship, my housing and meals are not. Flights are also expensive. We decided to launch the BackaBuddy campaign because I have a lot of opportunities abroad and we, or rather my family, simply can’t keep up!
‘I hope the community can help me achieve my goals!
They can go to www.backabuddy.co.za and search for my campaign – Get Scarlett to Orlando Ballet. Donations in any way, shape or form will be appreciated.’
What the future holds
At 15, she has thought about her future many times but she changes her mind frequently.
‘Now, the more I think, the closer I am leaning towards a decision, but would like to keep the arts in my future somehow.’
Her ultimate goal as a dancer would be to join a ballet company. She is most interested in American businesses because she admires their work.
‘If my dream does not come true, I hope to begin my studies in medicine and specialise as a paediatrician.’
A message to teens
‘When it starts getting extremely hard and you feel like giving up, never ever do so! Giving up on your dreams and goals is the biggest mistake you will ever make. It is super important to keep your eyes on the goal and never look back or doubt yourself!’
Text: LUCCIA MASHEL. Photograph: ROBERT HARRIS OPTICAL NOISE PHOTOGRAPHY. Location. LEGACY PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO
OFF THE CUFF
- Your best day ever – outdoors or indoors?
If I had to choose it would have to be outdoors, especially in the summer.
- Your favourite family holiday memory?
All my family holidays have amazing memories, it’s hard to choose just one! Mauritius is one of my favourite places we have been as a family and those trips hold so many amazing memories.
- Your pet peeves?
When people chew their gum and even food, with an open mouth and loudly!
- Your ultimate spoil?
When my dad surprises us with dinner at our favourite restaurant, Mythos.
- Your favourite hang-out?
Definitely with friends. When we go out for lunch together or when we attend events and socials as one big group.
- Who inspires you?
Marianela Nunez and Natalie Osipova. They are two of the most amazing ballerinas ever to exist. They inspire me every single day.
- If you could change one thing in the world today, what would that be?
No judgement. I hate seeing and being in a situation where people judge other people. I also dislike it when I am the person that is being judged by another person. I have learnt that it is better to ignore these comments and accusations and focus on yourself.
Click HERE to Get Scarlett to Orlando Ballet for 5 weeks.
