About Us
We aim to provide a variety of dance classes of the highest quality, taught by experienced professionals who share their knowledge and expertise in a fun and positive environment.
We teach children from the age of three and enter students yearly for the RAD examination sessions. We offer students the opportunity to enter Eisteddfods and we do a full scale theatre production every year. This is definitely the highlight of our dance calendar as every young dancer dreams of performing on a stage. Only a few dancers ever make it to professional level; therefore we aim to make every young dancer feel like a star!
We teach the internationally acclaimed Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus. The syllabus combines classical ballet training, free movement and character dances, which develops co-ordination of the body and mind, improving posture, poise and musicality, all with the emphasis on enjoyment.
The RAD is one of the world’s most influential dance education organisations. RAD exams set standards in classical ballet and is a global leader in Continuing Professional Development for Dance.
The RAD offers an internationally recognised portfolio of examinations and assessments designed to encourage, motivate and reward students of all ages and abilities, outlining a progressive structure for learning and achievement in dance.
Our Classes
Our classes are taught in Afrikaans and English and take place at our different venues and schools. We currently offer ballet lessons at various nursery schools in the east of Pretoria, Tyger Valley College, Laerskool Lynnwood, Star College and Garsfontein Dance Studio.
Young students between the ages of 3-6 start with the Dance to Your Own Tune curriculum. These creative dance classes provide younger students with an inspiring and imaginative class. Telling a story through dance and expressing themselves through music, movement and improvisation. Students enjoy the fun and energetic dynamics of these lessons that are taught in a playful manner and is an excellent stepping stone for furthering their dance careers!
From Primary school levels the RAD offers Pre-primary and Primary in dance levels and then on to eight Graded levels with a further six Vocational Graded levels.
At our studios dancing isn’t just about the steps and music. It’s a perfect combination of physical activity, social interaction, and mental stimulation.
We strive to enhance our dancers’ lives by:
developing creativity
expressing emotion
building social skills
encouraging independence
building self-confidence
stimulating mental processes
enhancing their physical development
expanding their rhythmic and body awareness
becoming part of our ballet family they will always have a sense of belonging
We believe that these young years are so vital and the very time to encourage these traits.
These are building blocks which they will use and need in every arena of their lives. So many studies have proven the benefit of dance and the positive effect it has on a child’s mental, physical and emotional development. Children who have participated in dance, music or theatre from a young age have better attention spans, are creative problem-solvers and are more well-balanced and adjusted. These are just a few of the benefits children reap from participating in the arts.
Parents that invest in their children with our classes are making the wisest investment around!
OUR STUDIOS
When you are ready to register your child for ballet lessons at at any of our studios just click on the button to studio of your choice and register online. Please make sure that you have read and understand the terms and conditions.
Please note that current students need to register again each year.
If you ave any more questions please get in touch with us via our contact form and we will be happy to answer all your questions.
MEET THE TEACHERS
Liezel (Marais) Boshoff
My mother’s sister used to be a professional ballet dancer before turning to teaching, so I was introduced to the art of ballet from a very early age. Not only was I destined for ballet classes due to family pressure but also because of the “pigeon toed” way I started walking. Soon I was twirling my way through ballet classes and loving every moment…
When I decided to further my ballet studies at the Pro Arte Alphen Park High School (Pretoria Ballet, Art, Music and Drama School) I already knew I wanted to become a dancer. During those years I had to sacrifice a lot of my other interests and social calendar to make space for hours and hours of dance training. The best memories and something I wouldn’t trade for the world.
After matric I was fortunate enough to further my ballet studies at UCT, but sadly had to give up my dream of becoming a professional dancer due to a condition in my feet called Traumatic Synovitis (not caused by dancing, but by the anatomy of my foot and metatarsal bones). Thankfully I’m a strong believer in “everything happens for a reason” and this led me to the most fulfilling career I could have ever imagined. I have always loved working with kids and to combine my passion for both was a dream come true. I sincerely believe now that I am a much better teacher than the dancer I wanted to become.
I have been teaching the internationally acclaimed Royal Academy of Dance syllabus to students from the ages of three since 1997.
I matriculated from Pro Arte Alphen Park High School in 1996, where I studied Classical ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Greek and Spanish dancing.
Thereafter I furthered my dancing career at the University of Cape Town. I enrolled in the ballet department where I studied toward a Diploma in Ballet.
After I completed my studies I returned to Pretoria and obtained my Teaching Diploma from the Royal Academy of Dance. I also specialized in Anatomy, Ballet History and Child Psychology.
I also became a member on the Northern Gauteng Royal Academy of Dance Teachers Association.
My great teachers/role models include:
Nella van den Berg, Paula Olivier, Deanna Irvine, Esmé Pretorius, Rosemary Rainier, Celeste Fair, Joy Cooper, Wendy Quarmby, Nigel Hannah and Rene Callis.
Annetjie Herman
My mother did ballet when she was young and when my sister took her first ballet lesson, I watched on and immediately wanted to join in. I started doing ballet at the age of 4, enjoying it immensely and dancing my way through the house instead of walking!
Both my parents were very supportive of my dancing. My dad took us to the production of Sleeping Beauty in London when I was 5, this was the very first ballet production I saw.
My teacher and mentor was Tina D’Artnall, with whom I danced for 14 years doing concerts, exams (Pre-Primary – Advanced 2) and eisteddfods. I also did modern dancing classes and exams with her.
In Grade 9 I joined the Youth Dance Company of Tshwane (YDCT), with Sue Kirkland, Christopher Montague and Tanya Graafland. YDCT is a semi-professional ballet company that gives children the opportunity to experience life as a professional dancer, doing various productions a year and building experience of backstage life and theatre rules. I danced in productions like Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow Maiden, Les Sylphide, Paquita, etc. I danced with them until matric.
After matric I decided to follow my dream and did a long distance course, the CBTS course (Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies) with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), with tutors and mentors assisting in the training of dance teachers. During these 2 years I did extra teacher’s classes with RAD examiners, Rene Callis and Celeste Fair.
After receiving my ballet teachers certificate, I did my modern teachers (SADTA – South African Dance Teachers Association), completing it in 3 years.
Ballet is my life and I enjoy sharing my love for it with others. I love working with children; watching them work hard, grow and excel in their dance classes as well as in their journey through life.
Sanmarie Kreuzhuber
My ballet journey began at the age of 3 seeing Swan Lake on television. I was completely captivated by this beautiful art form from the beginning. A really excited mom enrolled me in ballet class, and I was lucky enough to keep dancing for the next 30 years.
I completed all my RAD exams with Marna Bolt, Paula Olivier and René Callis. I attended Hoërskool Waterkloof’s Dance Academy and joined YDCT to further my training. All through high school I danced and performed with Kelsey Middleton and finished my contemporary DanceCor exams. I was the winner of the prestigious Adeline Geneé Silver Trophy in 2004 and represented South Africa in Athens, Greece.
After matriculation my childhood dream came true as I joined South African Ballet Theatre (now Joburg Ballet) where I danced professionally for 15 years. Obtaining Senior Soloist status. Throughout my career I have danced the main roles in all the great ballets, including Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Giselle, Don Quixote, La Bayadere and Carmen. In 2015 I made the decision to travel overseas. Dancing in Copenhagen, Denmark at Tivoli Gardens and Royal Danish Opera. I went on to live and dance in Berlin, Germany. I joined the MS Europa cruise line where I had the incredible chance to travel to some of the most exotic places in the world (while dancing). Missing the sun and my family I decided to come home and rejoin Joburg ballet.
I always had an interest in teaching and jumped at the opportunity to give company classes at Joburg Ballet eventually discovering my love of teaching and coaching. Expanding into giving classes at Joburg Ballet Academy I decided to complete my CBTS from the RAD. I also had the privilege to present the Val Whyte bursary class of 2019.
Unfortunately due to an injury in 2020 my professional journey came to an end.
Further studies led me to complete my teaching diploma of Performance Awards from AAB (American Academy of Ballet) and received my PBT (Progressive Ballet Technique) body conditioning certificate.
Who I am and where I am now is thanks to ballet and my mentors. I firmly believe that it’s about giving back everything I’ve learned and experienced both in the studio and onstage. Ballet is magical: it’s quite and experience, body, mind and soul. My love and passion for ballet was fueled by incredible teachers who encouraged me to follow in their footsteps.
“As teachers of young dancers we understand the importance of being prepared to teach. We understand the impact our behaviour, appearance and knowledge will have on their lives. We recognize that we will be role models and everything we do or say can make a lasting impression on them. We will not only teach dance, but will share our love of dance with them in every way we can. We will strive to make our lessons exciting so our students will return and we can dance together for many years.”
Liezel Marais Dance Academy Teachers