Instructors
Evelyne Aregger Esterhuyse, Switzerland
Director of Cape Ballet Centre
Royal Academy of Dance Professional Dance Teaching Diploma
Vaganova Methodology Certified Teacher
Cuban Methodology Certified Teacher
Evelyne is the founder and director of Cape Ballet Centre (CBC) one of the first ballet school in South Africa to offer ballet classes to both children and adults.
Originally from Lucerne, Switzerland, Evelyne moved to Cape Town in 2005 and has been teaching dance to children and adults for nearly 30 years.
After moving to Cologne, Germany in 1993, Evelyne completed her Professional Teaching Diploma with the Royal Academy of Dance. From 1996 to 2005 she taught students from Pre-Ballet to Advanced levels in a multiple-dance school in Cologne, where she managed the ballet department. In 2003 Evelyne was certified in the Russian Vaganova Method through the Borrmann Ballettpädagogenverband, Germany and in 2022 she completed the Cuban Ballet Methodology through the Alicia Alonso University Institute of Dance, Madrid.
Married with two children, Evelyne is passionate about dance teaching and believes that ballet is beneficial for everyone, whatever their age or ability. Her caring and supportive classes are focused on detailed technique balanced with a sense of fun, lyricism and joy in dance.
Lindy Raizenberg
Qualified Ballet and Irish Dance Teacher
Masters in Choreography
Lindy Raizenberg was a teacher and lecturer at the UCT School of Dance for many years, obtaining a Masters degree in Choreography as well as teaching Classical Ballet, National Dance and lecturing in Stage Craft and Choreography to the many young dancers who studied at the School. She was a member of CAPAB Ballet Company (now Cape Town City Ballet) where she continues to teach classes for the company. She is also their resident Stage Manager and is involved in the many exciting new productions performed by the company. Lindy loves working in the adult ballet environment as dancers are enthusiastic and keen to experience the freedom of movement and a sense of musicality offered in her classes. Her classes offer a positive and encouraging environment to those who wish to experience the joy of dance!
Terina Van Schalkwyk
URAD RTS
I am a South African ballet teacher, experienced in teaching various age groups with varying abilities. I have a strong background in and knowledge of ballet pedagogy, developmental stages and psychology of children. I am passionate about using the art form (ballet) to inspire, empower, invigorate, educate, and thus make a difference in my students’ lives.
I started doing ballet at the age of three and completed all my Royal Academy of Dance exams up until Advanced 2. I am also trained in AIDT modern dance and contemporary. I commenced my studies at the University of Cape Town in 2016 and graduated with a Bachelor of Music: Dance (BMUS: Dance Cum Laude), specialised in ballet pedagogy in 2018. I was on the Dean’s Merit list for four consecutive years and won the UCT School of Dance Class Award for the most outstanding student at the end of my 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year. I started my Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS) from the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) in 2018 and graduated in 2019. In 2020 I obtained my Registered Teacher Status (RTS) with the Royal Academy of Dance. I am currently enrolled on the Master of Arts: Education programme through the Royal Academy of Dance. I have been teaching at CBC since 2018.
Rayanah Rezant
American Academy of Ballet Certified Teacher
Cuban Methodology Certified Teacher
Rayanah joined Cape Ballet Centre as a student in 2011. It was here that her passion for ballet was nurtured as both a dancer and teacher. For the past 7 years she has assisted teaching CBC's Pre-Ballet (ages 3-4) and was officially employed by CBC in 2017.
Rayanah completed her American Academy of Ballet (AAB) Certificate of Ballet Teacher's Training in 2021.
She completed the Cuban Ballet Methodology through the Alicia Alonso University Institute of Dance, Madrid in 2022.
Pianist
Gavrin Mahaffey
Gavrin has always had an interest in ballet but decided to transfer her interest from the dance studio to the piano. In her twenties, she gained years of experience playing the piano for Cape Town City Ballet, as well as for dance instructor and director, Dianne Cheesman. She currently plays for the Cape Academy of Performing Arts. With many years’ experience as an RAD and Cecchetti exam pianist, Gavrin enjoys inspiring dancers with improvised music and is constantly motivated by the work dancers do.
