Bio
Kai Pretorius is a South African dancer best known as one of the Top 16 contestants on the second season of the SABC1 reality competition So You Think You Can Dance, in 2010.
So You Think You Can Dance Q&A
City
Durban
Profession
She is a graphic design student at the Durban University of Technology and Part time professional dancer at the Break-Thru Dance Co.
Dance history
She was classically trained in ballet from the age of 3 and she completed all her RAD ballet exams and all AIDT modern exams. She has also been exposed to a variety of dance styles and participated in professional productions.
Why should Kai be SA's favourite dancer
She has a genuine love and passion for dance and its unique expressive and healing properties. She is open to any form of dance and is always willing and ready to learn.
Favourite dance genre
Ballet and contemporary
Dance accolades/trophies/titles
She has her AIDT solo performer's certificate and a distinction for her Advanced (Two) RAD ballet examination
She has also been to a dance summer school in New England USA on a scholarship
What would Kai do with the prize money
She would do many things – continue her studies, put money towards property, further her love of dance and even take a trip to NYC.
What makes her stand out in the competition?
She is technically trained and technique is of great importance to her. She is also sincere and humble and just really wants to have a life altering experience with So You Think You Can Dance. This journey will be personal and sincere to her.
Family background
She obtained eight distinctions in matric in 2008 and felt obliged to pursue a very academic career. She went on to study a Bsc in Veterinary Science only to discover that she couldn't live without the arts and creative expression. She had to learn the hard lesson of not judging herself on any achievements and marks but on who she is and how she deals with difficulties that she is faced with.
Audition process
She auditioned in her city. It was a very long day. She didn't have any expectations, she didn't want to be disappointed but the judges liked her quality and said they could see how much how much she loved to dance.
Profession if not dancing
She loves to draw, write and learn. She is also fascinated by philosophy, psychology and is a huge animal lover. So maybe she would be an artistic philosopher who works at the S.P.C.A.
Impression of the South African dance scene
It's unique and culturally influenced
What would winning So You Think You Can Dance mean to Kai?
It would be her greatest achievement and she would be very proud of herself - although she is not focused on the winning. She is more focused on having a meaningful experience, winning would be a mere bonus.
Inspiration
Her mother- the strongest woman she knows.
Challenges faced
One huge obstacle she was faced with was deciding what she wanted to do with her life and career and learning the hard way, that things can't be perfect- no matter how hard a perfectionist tries to make them.
What makes her happy
Dancing is her happy place. She doesn't dance to make money or to have fame. She simply does it to be happy. It is her very own happy drug. It heals her and helps her, the ocean is also a cleansing and healing element in her life.
Message for potential fans
Always strive to better yourself in every facet of life but remember that you are human and will never be perfect. The true brilliance is not in attaining perfection, but in the journey to strive for it. Also make sure in life you do everything you've ever wanted to do.
South African charity close to your heart
S.P.C.A. She is for the animals.