Acrobatic Dance
Acro Dance Classes - Orlovska Dance Academy, Parktown, Johannesburg
Elevate your dance with strength, flexibility, and stunning acrobatic skills!
Acrobatic Dance (often called Acro Dance) is a beautiful blend of classical dance technique and the precision and athleticism of acrobatics. At Orlovska Dance Academy in Parktown, Johannesburg, our program safely progresses dancers from fundamental rolls and cartwheels to advanced aerials and handsprings.
Our accredited teachers focus on building strength, flexibility, and proper technique in a supportive and fun environment, ensuring every student can master amazing tricks while seamlessly integrating them into their choreography. Whether your child is a beginner or ready for advanced aerials, we have the perfect class to help them soar!
Acrobatic Class Levels & Schedule
We offer a structured progression of Acro Dance classes for ages 5 and up at our Parktown studio.
| Class Level | Focus & Description | Teacher | Day & Time | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acro Beginner | Introduction to Acro Dance for Young Movers. This fun and energetic class introduces young dancers to the basics of acrobatic movement in a safe and supportive setting. Students learn foundational skills like forward rolls, bridges, handstands, and flexibility exercises while building strength, coordination, and confidence. | Gabriella Smith | Thursdays: 3:00 – 3:45 PM | 5-8 years old |
| Acro Junior 1 | Developing Foundational Control & Flexibility. Building on beginner skills, this level focuses on developing control, flexibility, and technique. Dancers start working on skills such as cartwheels, walkovers, and stronger core work, always with attention to proper form and safety. | Gabriella Smith | Tuesday: 4:00 – 5:00 PM | 6-8 years |
| Acro Junior 2 | Refining Technique & Learning Acro Tricks. At this stage, dancers begin refining their technique and learning more advanced acro tricks and transitions. Emphasis is placed on clean execution, strength-building drills, and combining movements into short sequences. | Jaden Finch | Thursday: 4:45 – 5:45 PM | 8-10 years |
| Acro Junior 3 | Advanced Skills & Precision for Experienced Dancers. This level challenges dancers with higher-level skills like aerials, handsprings, and advanced walkovers. Dancers work on smooth transitions, trick combinations, and precision, while continuing to build power and flexibility. | Lizanne Robinson | Thursday: 3:30 – 4:30 PM | 10-12 years |
| Acro Senior | Mastery, Partner Work, & Performance Choreography. Our most advanced acro class focuses on mastering complex tricks, partner work, and performance-ready combinations. Dancers refine their artistry, control, and athleticism, preparing for choreography that blends acro seamlessly with dance. | Lizanne Robinson | Thursday: 4:30 – 6:00 PM | 13+ years |
Acro Dance Classes
Professional Team
Meet The Coach
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.
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.
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.