Staff

Allison has been with DFA since 2008 during which time, other than teaching and choreographing on all the programmes, she headed DFA’s Studios@Aden, ran the DFA Bridging Programme since 2011 up until now, and acted as DFA’s event coordinator.

She was placed in the position as DFA Artistic Director since the beginning of 2016.
Allison also directs the InSPIRAtions Youth Company and runs the strategic partnerships including that of Government / Corporates / Training institutions and schools.

She is a UCT School of Dance (formerly UCT Ballet School) graduate, having completed Teacher’s Diploma – 3yr course (1989-1991) and her professional career as dancer & choreographer locally and abroad stems with destinations including Namibia, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, China Spain before settling in Cape Town. During this time she was a member of Union Dance Company directed by Sonwabo Masepe & Julie Lock Jazzart’s Dance Joint, Christopher Kindo’s Full Circle Dance Company, Sun International.

As a former dance educator at the WCED (Western Cape Education Department) including a WCED Arts Focus School as well as qualified ETDP SETA Assessor, she also works as a professional dancer, producer and director in the entertainment industry with dancers, singers and musicians in and around Cape Town.

2019 Allison marks 30 years in her career in the industry.

Artistic Director – Allison Hendricks

Marlene has been Dance for All’s Company Directorr since its inception and also serves as the secretary of the board. Prior to this, she worked as PA to Amanda Botha, head of PR at Artscape Opera (formerly known as CAPAB Opera), during which time she typed the manuscript for Botha’s book Phyllis Spira: A Tribute. She moved on to Cape Town City Ballet (formerly CAPAB Ballet) as secretary and later as Company Manager until 2001, while she orchestrated the administration for the fledgling outreach programme, which eventually became Dance for All.

Operations Director – Marlene Carstens

A founding student of DFA, Hope Nongqongqo began her dance training with Janette Buys in Gugulethu and continued with DFA under leadership of Philip Boyd, teaching alongside him. She was assisted by The David Poole trust and completed Diploma in Dance Teachers Course at UCT School of Dance. Hope returned to DFA as a full time teacher, choreographer and drummer. In 2013 she was promoted to Outreach Manager.

Outreach Manager – Hope Nongqongqo

Training with Ingrid Carlson, Veronica Williams at Wilvan Dance Theatre. Former La Rosa Flamenco Dancer. Current professional dancer, owner, teacher and choreographer at Tierra Flamenca Dance Studio & Company.

Teacher – Ché Adams

Matriculated in 2017. Training receptionist.

Receptionist – Kirsty Aploon

Graduated 2015 from UCT Centre for Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies (formaly UCT School of Dance). Former teacher, performer & choreographer at Unmute Dance Company.

Teacher – Rae Claasen

Studied at UCT Ballet School (now UCT Centre for Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies). Former member of CAPAB – Ballet Company (now Cape Town City Ballet) for 10 years. Offers Irish dance classes and teaches ballet and currently a dance teacher at UCT Centre for Theatre & Performance Studies.

Teacher – Lindy Collins

Studied through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) as well as Reiki Energy Healing practitioner. She is also a coach, fundraiser, capacity builder, project manager and a board member working in the non-profit, academic and business sectors.

Funding – Wilma De Sousa

Andisiwe started her dance training on DFA’s Outreach Programme in Nyanga after which
she joined DFA’s Specialised Ballet Programme and DFA’s Bridging Programme. She is currently an assistant teacher at DFA.

Teacher – Andisiwe Dyantyi

Graduate in BA Graphic Design majoring in Advertising. Formerly employed at Nashua and Design team at Leatt,

Marketing & Design | PA to Artistic Director – Michelle Emerton

Nicolette teaches Classical Ballet (Cecchetti Method) and guest teachers for the Cecchetti society, conducting awards and bursary classes. After graduating at the UCT Ballet School (now known as the UCT School of Dance) she joined the Ballet company, then CAPAB Ballet company in 1979 (now known as Cape Town City Ballet (CTCB) and was principal dancer for 16 years.. She was appointed Ballet Mistress for CAPAB Ballet Company in 1995. Nicolette also teaches at the UCT Dance School and guest teaches for the CTCB company.

Teacher – Nicolette Loxton

Trained at Jazzart Dance Theatre three year training programme. Choreographer and dancer for 11 years. Choreographic works include Aslama, Diverge, breaking Borders. Performing in Ashed, Sold, Darkcell and Access Me. Dance tours include: Germany, Switzerland, Russia and Italy.

Teacher – Yaseen Manuel

Trained by Jennifer Louw and Sheila Chisholm, Gerard Prinsloo and Dianne van Schoor at the start of her ballet training. Gillian attended UCT School of Dance (formerly known as UCT Ballet School) and continued her training under June Hattersley and David Poole. She competed in the Cyril Beaumont semi-finals and after leaving the Ballet school, was awarded associate status of the Cecchetti society. Gillian taught Ballet for thirteen years in the Northen Suburbs.

Teacher – Gillian McKirdy

Moeneeb is one of DFA’s drivers transporting our students and staff to venues for dance classes, rehearsals, performances and events.

Driver – Moeneeb Meyer

Teacher – Luyanda Mdingi

Cynthia is DFA’s housekeeper maintaining the internal condition of the DFA Centre

Housekeeping – Nomthandazo Cynthia Ndindwa

A founding student of DFA, Mantombi started her dance training with DFA in Gugulethu and attended the UCT School of Dance on a bursary from The David Poole Trust where she did the Contemporary and African dance course. After working with iKapa Dance Theatre Outreach Project for a short while, she returned to DFA, where she is currently a full-time teacher, choreographer and drummer.

Teacher – Mantombi (Lorraine) Ndindwa

Nobuntu started her dance training on DFA’s Outreach Programme in Nyanga and teaches on the Outreach Programme.

Teacher & Drummer – Nobuntu Nqolase

Teacher – Corbin Pienaar

Teaching dance at various primary and high schools. Interests in nurturing talent and dance production.

Teacher – Leroy Samuels

Neakay, from the region of Paarl started dancing at a young age and with great passion
entered the Hip Hop Indaba and S.A’s Got Talent dance competition, encouraging
youngsters in his community. Through their established Hip hop dance crew, Neakay along with his brother Vuswill Seconds, serve the community by teaching children in the rural areas of Worcester and Paarl.

Teacher – Neakay Seconds

Teacher – Janine Stals

Alphonso is one of DFA’s drivers transporting our students and staff to venues for dance classes, rehearsals, performances and events.

Driver – Alphonso van der Merwe

Teacher – Elizabeth van Rensburg

Dance training at Jazzart Dance Theatre. Business Management Course at the College of Cape Town. Freelanced at Free Flight Dance Compnay and Jazzart Dance Company. Specializing in African and Modern Dance.

Teacher – Bruno Wani

Teacher – Lesleigh-Ann Weber

Office Co-ordinator – Simone Williams

Teacher – Anderson Carvalho

The original practice, which was mainly sports orientated, was started in the 60’s in rented premises also situated in Rondebosch. Numerous schools, the University of Cape Town, WP rugby and cricket players, as well as the UCT Ballet School and the Cape Town City Ballet Company, were all serviced by the practice. After working for 7 years at the Red Cross Children’s hospital, Robyn joined the practice and in 1992, became the new owner. She relocated the practice from the rented premises to a semi-detached cottage in Rondebosch, where she has been practicing ever since

Physiotherapist – Robyn Thyssee

Gillian Warren-Brown is a South African writer who enjoys telling stories, be they about her own adventures after moving from Cape Town to a farm in the mountains of the Eastern
Cape, or about fascinating subjects, people, places and things. She has written for many local and foreign magazines and has authored two books. Her most recent, Pieces of a Dream: the story of Dance for All focuses on how dance is giving disadvantaged children a chance to create a better life. Order a copy via or services page (proceeds go towards supporting the ongoing work of Dance for All).

Copywriter – Gillian Warren-Brown