Gran Kaz Supports Youth and the Arts with SCR 20,000 Donation to Elite Dance & Fitness Studio’s International Workshop

Victoria, Seychelles – Gran Kaz has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting arts, culture, and youth development in Seychelles with a SCR 20,000 donation that helped make the GPAA and Elite Dance & Fitness Studio Summer Camp 2025 a resounding success.

Held from 25th to 29th August 2025, the intensive dance workshop brought together Seychelles’ vibrant dance community with internationally renowned practitioners from the prestigious Global Performing Arts Academy (GPAA) in the United Kingdom. The five-day programme gave participants the rare opportunity to train with some of the industry’s most sought-after professionals:

Solange Urdang OBE – Founder and CEO of The Dang Studios, Co-Director of The Black British Theatre Awards, and an internationally respected dance educator and industry advisor.

Claudimar Neto – One of the UK’s most in-demand commercial choreographers, with credits including Anne-Marie’s international tour, Little Mix, and Netflix’s Building The Band.

Shaquille Brush – A London-based creative and performer with extensive stage and screen experience, including The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre), Dirty Dancing tours, Netflix’s The Dance 100, and performances with Ed Sheeran and Zara Larsson.

For participants, the experience was nothing short of transformative.

“I feel my technique has improved, the choreographers have a very high level and it was fun to learn from them,”

said Lexi W, a participant in the Junior Category.

Tara B, an Elite Senior who has been dancing since the age of four, described the workshop as

“a very good experience that helped strengthen the bond with my teammates. The practitioners’ feedback and teaching styles really helped me improve my skill and technique. Both choreographers were amazing, but Shaquille had a different quality — he always made classes fun, with lots of laughs. I hope more of these high-level workshops happen in the future. Now that the first one is done, I think it will encourage more dancers from different schools to join.”

For Gran Kaz, supporting this initiative reflects its CSR philosophy of investing in opportunities that encourage clean, healthy, and creative engagement, particularly for young people.

“This workshop provided not only high-level artistic training but also a safe and inspiring space for our youth to connect, learn, and grow,”

said Shama Amesbury, PR Manager at Gran Kaz

“We believe in nurturing talent and creating pathways for success that extend far beyond the studio.”

The Summer Camp welcomed dancers from juniors aged 8 to masters over 20, offering them world-class mentorship without the need to travel overseas. With international participants also in attendance, the workshop fostered valuable cultural exchange and collaboration.

Gran Kaz’s contribution helped Elite Dance & Fitness Studio cover the significant costs of hosting the event, including logistics, and practitioner accommodation. The donation forms part of Gran Kaz’s wider commitment to uplifting the Seychelles community through initiatives that promote education, culture, and wellbeing.