Always ‘Reddy’ for a smooth move

LOCAL dance instructor Craig Reddy (24) has wowed Zululand crowds with his sleek dance moves over the years.

He started early as an avid Michael Jackson fan at the tender age of six, but shot to fame when he was approached to perform by the producer of the annual Eastern Bridal Fair held in Durban in 2007. There he was noticed by the Johannesburg producers.

‘I was afforded the opportunity to be trained by the world’s best in Bollywood, Shiamak Dhaver, the choreographer of the annual IIFA awards.

‘It was challenging, not only with linguistics, but also their technique and agility.

‘But things just started blossoming as another producer, Shivani Kara from Eastern Moves, took me under her wing as a background dancer’ says Craig.

‘I started dancing in Shivani’s first professional show called ‘Dance with me Baby’. Growing with the numerous productions, I found myself scoring my first lead in Dance With Me Baby 2, and by coincidence it involved a Michael Jackson hit number.

‘I also performed in Dance with me Baby 3, where I was one of two principal dancers. I was given the opportunity to choreograph for stage for the very first time.’

After all his successes, it was time for him to head back home to Richards Bay in May 2011. Craig found a job and decided to consider opening his own school.

‘While in Richards Bay, my feet kept tapping while I was working part-time in a family business.

‘I then saw that a local non-profit organisation was having a fun walk. I called the organisers and they agreed for ‘my group’ to perform. The performance was a success and that is how Switchswag was officially founded in August 2011.’

According to Craig it is one of the greatest callings in life to share knowledge and empower the future generations.

‘I have seen students walk into my classes with no ability to express their emotions, and after a few weeks their confidence grows and they easily grasp the rules and dynamics of the discipline’ says Craig.