about us
BENEFITS OF
dance & ballet
- Strength, endurance, & flexibility
- Improved Posture
- Co-ordination and cognitive stimulation
- Aside from being a good cardio workout, ballet & contemporary dance develops strength and spatial awareness
- For children, dance is a huge benefit to physical and mental development. Children’s social development benefits in many ways
- For adults and children alike, dance is great exercise and develops confidence and mental strength
MEET OUR
fully qualified teachers & staff

Alisa Balayan - Owner / Ballet & Contemporary
Born into a family of ballet dancers it was no surpirse that Alisa showed an early, prodigious talent for ballet. Dancing from age 5 the future professional dancer was consumed by dance.
Studying at the Lviv State School of Ballet exposed her to some of the best teachers in Europe. Her teaching career began while still studying dance in Lviv. After a perfect score in her final exam, she won a full scholarship to Joffrey Ballet school in New York. Studying with some of the best teachers in the world had an incredible impact on Alisa’s career.
Having received a BA degree in dance from the Lviv State College of Arts and Culture, she furthered her dance studies in Jazz-Modern and Contemporary as well as Ballet. Returning to Lviv to dance professionally with the Lviv National Opera and Ballet House, Alisa resumed teaching, at the State Ballet School, teaching Jazz-Modern, Contemporary and Ballet.
Her career as a professional ballet dancer with the Lviv National Opera and Ballet House included appearances in Swan Lake, The Nutcracker Suite, Don Quixote, La Bayadere, & Sleeping Beauty.
Upon arriving in South Africa, Alisa joined Mzansi Productions dance company and began teaching. She then became the Artistic Director and teacher of the Russian School of Ballet.
In 2019 Alisa established her own school, naming it for her maternal grandmother – the Prima Ballerina of Lviv National Opera and Ballet House, Ludmila Orlovska.

Olena Balayan - Ballet
Olena offers 37 years of experience as a dance teacher and choreographer whose productions are known nationwide in Ukraine
Being a daughter of the principal ballet dancers at Lviv National Ballet and Opera House, Olena started her dancing education at the age of 5 at the Lviv State Ballet School in Ukraine where she studied ballet, modern and character dance. She graduated from the Lviv State Ballet School at the age of 16 with distinction.
In 1985, she completed her degree in ballet (Russian Ballet method -Vaganova syllabus), character and modern dancing with distinction at the Lviv College of Art and Culture and continued her education at the Department of Dance at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.
Olena has received her first teaching experience at the age of 17 when she started working with pre-ballet groups at the Lviv State Ballet School. She continued teaching ballet, modern and character dance to different levels at the Lviv State Ballet School until 2006.
In addition, Olena established “Sirius”, a jazz and modern dance Company between 1992 and 2006.
Since 2006 she has been working at the National Drama Theatre as a head ballet master and choreographer where she choreographed over 50 shows. Olena Balayan has been a head ballet-master and choreographer at the Lviv National Drama Theater since then until the end of 2019.
In 2020 Olena moved to South Africa and became a teacher at Orlovska Dance Studio, named after her mother the Prima Ballerina of Lviv National Opera and Ballet House, Ludmila Orlovska.
ODA is incredibly fortunate to have Olena as part of our team. Her extensive dance and teaching expertise is invaluable.

Ipeleng Merafe - Contemporary & Ballet
Ipeleng Merafe is a 36-year-old professional dancer and theatre performer from Johannesburg. She began ballet at age 5, completing her training with the Royal Academy of Dance (Advanced 2 level) and performing with the South African Ballet Academy. A 2003 exchange student at The National Ballet School in Toronto, she also attended programs at The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.
In 2006, Ipeleng enrolled at the Cape Academy of Performing Arts, earning a diploma in Contemporary Dance and Theatre Related Studies. She joined the Cape Youth Dance Company and later the Cape Dance Company, performing locally and internationally at festivals like Salisbury and Edinburgh Fringe.
Ipeleng has performed in Dada Masilo’s productions, including “Death and the Maidens” and “Swan Lake,” where she understudied the lead role. She was also Assistant Dance Captain in the international tour of “Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical” (2018-2020). A founding member of the South African Dance Alliance, she recently earned her Certificate of Ballet Teacher Studies from the Royal Academy of Dance and became a board member of Cape Ballet Africa in 2024. Currently, she is studying Pilates at Trifocus Fitness Academy.

Liz-Anne Robinson - Acrobatics
Lizanne’s lifelong journey in dance began at a young age, exploring various disciplines such as ballet, modern, tap, gymnastics, and acro. Her passion for movement led her to embrace Latin and ballroom dances during her eighth-grade years. By the time she reached grade 11, Lizanne had not only become an accomplished dancer but also started teaching and competing.
During her undergraduate studies, Lizanne joined the UJ dance company, where she dedicated herself to her craft from 2009 to 2013. In 2013, she successfully completed her honors degree in Anatomical Sciences, showcasing her commitment to both the art and science of dance.
Since 2017, Lizanne has been sharing her expertise by teaching acrobatics and contemporary dance, followed by modern dance instruction in 2019. Her qualifications include being a certified teacher in PACRODA acrobatics, Dance Vision Latin and Ballroom, as well as AIDT modern.
Lizanne’s true passion lies in teaching children, particularly in genres that offer unique physical challenges like acrobatics and tumbling. She takes great delight in sharing her love and joy for dance with her students, nurturing their growth and fostering a deep appreciation for the art form.
With her extensive background, qualifications, and genuine enthusiasm for teaching, Lizanne creates a supportive and inspiring environment where her students can thrive and develop a lifelong love for dance.

Jaden Finch - Acro & Contemporary
Jaden Finch is a dedicated dance educator and performer whose passion for dance has been a driving force throughout her life. Beginning her journey with ballet and contemporary dance, she later discovered a profound love for acrobatics, lyrical, and various other styles.
At the age of 14, Jaden began competing in local, national, and international competitions. Notably, in 2017, she represented her talent in Croatia, where she achieved an impressive sixth place in the world for her age category. Her accolades continued in 2019 when she was honored as Dancer of the Year by Talent Africa. That same year, she earned her Acrobatics Arts teacher qualification, achieving a remarkable 100% in both the practical and theoretical components of the course.
Jaden’s commitment to excellence extends to her students. She has successfully coached several dancers who competed in Ireland at the World Lyrical Dance Federation, where two of her students claimed lyrical world champion titles. Additionally, she received a prestigious scholarship from the Millennium Dance School in London. Jaden’s accomplishments also include earning her official Gauteng colors and qualifying for Protea colors, allowing her to compete at the IDO National Championships in Poland.
As a qualified dance teacher through the South African Body of Dance, Jaden currently shares her expertise in acrobatics, lyrical, contemporary, and modern dance with her students. Her fervent enthusiasm for dance and her dedication to nurturing the success of her dancers make her an inspiring figure in the dance
community.

Juan Louw - Hip Hop
Introducing Juan Louw, our incredible Hip Hop teacher extraordinaire!
With an impressive journey that began in 2005, Juan has dedicated himself to mastering the art of Hip Hop dance. From the young age of 16, he found his true calling as a Hip Hop instructor and has never looked back.
Throughout his career, Juan has graced numerous shows and competitions, leaving a lasting impact with his exceptional talent. He has proudly represented South Africa on multiple occasions, showcasing his skills and passion on international stages.
Juan’s love for dance is infectious, and his true joy lies in helping individuals develop and unleash their full potential. With unwavering dedication, he goes above and beyond to educate and inspire his students, always willing to exceed expectations. His commitment and motivation are unmatched, and he thrives on seeing his students succeed and achieve their goals.
Not only is Juan an outstanding dancer and teacher, but he is also actively involved in the dance community. He has been a regular adjudicator for the Dance School Sport League (DSSL) and Dance School Club League (DSCL), lending his expertise and guidance to aspiring dancers. Additionally, he has taken on the role of managing the team for Gauteng, further contributing to the growth of dance in the region.
Juan’s remarkable talent and passion make him an invaluable asset to our team. We are incredibly grateful to have him on board, bringing his expertise, dedication, and infectious energy to our dance community.

Fern Renew - Ballet
Meet Fern, a self-proclaimed “ballet nerd of the century” who exudes an unwavering passion for dance. Her dance journey began in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), where she trained diligently and had the privilege of dancing with the esteemed Rhodesian National Ballet during her formative years.
At the age of 17, Fern’s dedication led her to the prestigious Royal Ballet School in London, where she further honed her skills. Her thirst for knowledge and desire to share her passion with others led her to embark on a three-year teachers’ training course at the Royal Academy of Dance in London. Throughout her training, Fern delved into various disciplines, including classical ballet, national dance, ballroom, period dancing, anatomy and physiology, choreography, history of ballet, costume, and music. Her commitment and hard work paid off as she graduated as a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance (L.R.A.D.).
Fern’s teaching journey took her to the Mignon Furman Ballet School in Cape Town, where she shared her expertise before establishing her own ballet studio in Zimbabwe. Fueling her desire for artistic growth, she also danced professionally with the N.A.P.A.C. Ballet Company. However, her passion for teaching remained strong, and she transitioned back into the role of a freelance teacher, working with several professional ballet schools.
Driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence, Fern expanded her knowledge by studying the Vaganova method, recognizing the importance of continuous learning for any dedicated teacher. She firmly believes in the future of ballet in South Africa, especially with the global standards reaching new heights. As a dedicated member of the Orlovska team, Fern is thrilled to contribute her expertise to the advancement of ballet in the country.
Fern’s unwavering passion, extensive training, and commitment to ongoing growth make her a valuable asset to the dance community. Her presence at Orlovska is a testament to her dedication and enthusiasm for shaping the future of ballet in South Africa.

Sarahjane Sowter - Ballet, Contemporary & Body conditioning
Sarahjane’s dance journey commenced at the tender age of 3 when she embarked on her ballet training. In grade 10, her passion for dance led her to The National School of the Arts, where she delved into a multitude of dance forms, expanding her repertoire beyond ballet. Alongside her ballet training, she honed her skills in Spanish, Jazz, Contemporary, Afro fusion, and various Latin styles.
Sarahjane’s dedication and talent were recognized when she graduated in 2009 as the best overall dancer. Following her matriculation, she joined the prestigious Joburg Ballet company, gracing the stage as a professional dancer for an impressive 5 years. During her tenure, she not only performed in the corps de ballet but also showcased her talents in several solo roles, while touring internationally.
Seeking new experiences and global exploration, Sarahjane embarked on a new chapter of her career. For the next 5 years, she danced professionally on the esteemed Costa Crociere cruise ship, traveling the world and captivating audiences with her artistry.
Currently, Sarahjane continues to share her passion for dance through teaching. While occasionally still performing for corporate events, her primary focus lies in imparting her knowledge and expertise to students of all ages. She specializes in teaching ballet, as well as contemporary and creative movement, particularly at remedial schools.
Sarahjane’s diverse dance background, combined with her teaching acumen, allows her to inspire and nurture the next generation of dancers while sharing the joy of movement with her students.

Gabriella Smith - Ballet, Contemporary & Acrobatics
Gabriella, a seasoned dance teacher since 2021, brings a unique blend of expertise to her classes. With a focus on flexibility advancement, she holds certificates in anatomy from the University of Michigan and the science of exercise from the University of Colorado Boulder. Her extensive dance background spans 17 years of ballet training, 8 years of contemporary training, and 7 years of burlesque. Guiding students of all ages, Gabriella has discovered her true calling—igniting a lifelong passion for dance in each and every one of her students.

Jade Stofberg - Ballet
Jade Stofberg’s dance journey began at the tender age of six, igniting a lifelong passion that has taken her from freestyle to the elegant realms of modern, lyrical, ballet, and jazz. Over the years, she has showcased her talent in numerous competitions, earning qualifications for Team South Africa to perform internationally on multiple occasions. Jade has also excelled in prestigious examinations with RAD, SABOD, and SADTA.
With a heart dedicated to nurturing young dancers, Jade’s primary goal is to ensure that children feel heard and understood. She strives to create a safe and supportive environment where they can learn and thrive. Now, she is thrilled to embark on a new adventure as she begins teaching Creative Dance and Step 1 at Orlovska Dance Academy, eager to inspire the next generation of dance enthusiasts.

Sarah Steyn - Administration
Sarah was born in Zimbabwe and moved to Durban in her early years. After school she attended the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and obtained a BComm degree. Post university she moved to the UK where she worked in the Investment Banking and Financial Industry sector. She returned to Johannesburg and was involved in this line of work for 18 years. When her third child was born, she left the corporate world and now assists Orlovska Dance Studio with administrative work.
Sarah loves the outdoors and enjoys spending golden moments with her family and friends. ODA is grateful to have Sarah on board. Her professionalism is invaluable to our Studio.

Abigail Kearns - Front of House & Receptionist
Abigail Kearns was born and raised in Johannesburg.
Currently, Abigail is the receptionist at Orlovska Dance Academy, where she plays a key role in managing the day-to-day operations. She assists with general administrative tasks, handles parent queries, and ensures smooth communication within the studio. As she works towards her diploma in Administration, Secretarial, and PA studies, she continues to build her skill set and looks forward to furthering her education.
Outside of her role at the studio, Abigail is passionate about the outdoors, with a love for hiking, camping, and water activities. She also enjoys producing and playing music, sharing her creative energy with others. With her background in sound production and her deep love for music, working at a dance studio feels like a natural fit, where she can connect her passion for both music and movement.