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.

Company 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

Previously DFA’s office co-ordinator, Simone, through short courses at The South African Institute of Fundraising, assist with fundraising.

Funding – Simone Williams

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 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

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

Former professional dancer with the Dutch National Ballet. Adding to her experience in musical theatre, Pauline also completed a degree in performing and teaching.

Teacher – Pauline van Buitenen

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

Apprentice Teacher & Drummer – Nobuntu Nqolase

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.

Trainee Teacher – Andisiwe Dyantyi

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.

Trainee Teacher – Neakay Seconds

Guest Teacher – Bruno Wani

Guest Teacher – Yaseen Manuel

Guest Teacher – Anderson Carvalho

Receptionist – Kirsty Aploon

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

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

Emmy formerly employed at Janrance Enterprises and Gliding Star Enterprises as Fashion designer/ patternmaker in Zimbabwe. She is currently studying Computer pattern making at CPUT and working at DFA as a patternmaker/seamstress.

Wardrobe – Emerenciana Machipisa

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

Housekeeping – Nomthandazo Cynthia Ndindwa

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

Driver – Moeneeb Meyer

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