Ballet
Ballet Classes Johannesburg: Find Your Grace at Orlovska Dance Academy
Introduction to the Art of Ballet
Ballet is the foundational art form of dance, renowned worldwide for its beautiful aesthetics, rigorous technique, and incredible physical benefits. It is a highly structured discipline that systematically builds core strength, flexibility, posture, and coordination. Beyond the physical, it fosters deep concentration, musicality, and self-expression. At Orlovska Dance Academy, we honour the tradition of classical ballet while providing engaging and fun instruction suitable for all ages, from toddlers to adults. If you are searching for premium Ballet classes in Johannesburg, our internationally trained instructors are ready to welcome you.
Children's Ballet Classes (Ages 3–14)
We offer a progressive ballet curriculum designed to nurture every student’s potential, starting with creative movement and advancing through pre-professional training. All children’s classes are held at our Parktown North studio.
| Age | Program / Level | Focus & Benefits | Johannesburg Ballet Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3–4 Years Old | Creative Dance | Teaches the basics of movement to music, improving motor skills, confidence, and social interaction in a structured environment. | Saturday 8:45–9:30am |
| 4–5 Years Old | Step 1 | Expands on basics with more precise steps and coordination. Activities are based on interactive stories and fairy tales. | Monday 1:45–2:30pm (Ballet), Saturday 8:00–8:45am (Ballet) |
| 5–6 Years Old | Step 2 | Focuses on basic ballet technique, stretching, and strengthening. Introduces elegant French Ballet terminology. | Tuesday 2:00–3:00pm, Thursday 2:00–3:00pm, Saturday 8:00–8:45am |
| 6–8 Years Old | Step 3 | Establishes a solid foundation in technique, proper posture, body alignment, and musicality. Enhances physical and cognitive comprehension. | Monday 2:30–3:30pm, Wednesday 2:30–3:30pm, Saturday 8:45–9:30pm |
| 8–9 Years Old | Rising Stars 1 | Begins pre-professional training: structured training at the barre, refining technique, and body conditioning. | Monday 3:30–5:00pm, Wednesday 3:30–5:00pm |
| 9–10 Years Old | Rising Stars 2 | Builds on Rising Stars 1. Focus on faster tempo, higher leg extensions, advanced jumps, and introduction to pointe work (if eligible). | Tuesday 3:30–5:00pm, Friday 3:30–5:00pm |
| 10–11 Years Old | Rising Stars 3-4 | Introduces demi-pointe work at Centre and Barre. Intensified focus on pirouettes and grand allegro. | Tuesday 3:30–5:00pm |
| 11–14 Years Old | Rising Stars 5 | Continued refinement of demi-pointe, mastering pirouettes, and extended pointe work. Also offers a Teenage Beginner Ballet class. | Tuesday 5:00–6:30pm, Thursday 5:00–6:30pm |
| 15+ Years Old | Rising Stars 6 | Focus on refining professional audition-level technique: advanced demi-pointe, pirouettes, grand allegro, and challenging pointe work. | Tuesday 5:00–6:30pm, Friday 5:00–6:30pm |
Adult Ballet Classes in Parktown North, Johannesburg
It is genuinely never too late to start dancing! Our adult ballet program is thoughtfully designed to enhance core strength, flexibility, posture, coordination, and musicality for all skill levels. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to get back into dance, our professional instructors offer expert guidance.
| Level | Focus | Adult Ballet Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner 1 | Introduction to fundamental technique, ideal for first-timers. | Tuesday 9:30–10:30am, Wednesday 6:30–7:30pm |
| Beginner 2 | Builds upon Beginner 1 concepts and sequences. | Monday 6:30–7:30pm |
| Intermediate 1 | Designed for those with a solid foundation. | Saturday 8:30–9:30am |
| Intermediate 2 | Advanced barre and centre work for experienced dancers. | Thursday 6:00–7:00pm |
| Ballet Choreography | Focuses on learning and performing short classical pieces. | Tuesday 6:30–7:30pm |
| Adult Pointe Class | For eligible intermediate/advanced adult dancers. | Thursday 7:00–7:30pm |
All classes are held at: 8A, 7th Avenue, Parktown North.
Ballet Uniform Requirements (Girls & Boys)
Proper attire is an essential part of the ballet discipline, promoting correct body alignment and focus.
Girls’ Ballet Uniform:
- Leotards and specified skirts must be purchased from our supplier (specific supplier details are available upon registration).
- Footwear: Plain pink ballet shoes (can be purchased at any ballet shop).
- Legwear: Pink/white socks (summer) or pink/white tights (winter) (can be purchased at any ballet shop).
- Hairstyle: A neat, plain ballet bun is required for all classes.
Boys’ Ballet Uniform:
- ODA branded T-shirt (details available upon registration).
- Black hotpants.
- White socks and black ballet shoes.
Ready to begin your journey with one of the most respected dance schools offering Ballet classes in Johannesburg? Contact us today to enrol!
Professional Team
Meet The Coach
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.
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.
Svetlana Timmerman
Ballet
Svetlana brings a lifetime of passion, experience, and international acclaim to her ballet classes. A gold medalist at an international competition by age 14, she went on to become a champion dancer, coach, and judge—training over 100 dancers, many of whom became finalists in major international tournaments.
Svetlana graduated from the prestigious Vladimirskiy Regional College of Art and Culture. She later founded her own successful dance school, specialising in Competitive Ballroom and Latin-American dance with a strong classical foundation.
With over 25 years of teaching experience across Europe and South Africa, Svetlana’s classes are known for their energy, discipline, and inspiration. Whether you’re a beginner or aiming for competition-level performance, you’re in expert hands.