dance trainers

Blair Willson is our studio head, teacher, coordinator of all our events, and the backbone of Ministry of Dance!

Blair teaches Modern Dance and Free-style. She also focuses on our little dancers – Kids Dance Classes aged 4-7 years

Blair is an associate qualified teacher with SADTA (South African Dance Teacher’s Association) and SABOD (South African Body of Dance) as well as a qualified jazz teacher with Dance-Ed. She has been teaching since 2006.

Blair Willson, owner of Ministry Of Dance, has made dancing her life’s passion. She started dancing at the age of 5 years old and has been involved in the Performing Arts and Dance ever since.

Not only is Blair a South African Championship Dancer, but she also holds the 2007 World Championships Trio’s title.

Blair also studied at AFDA – The South African School of Motion Picture and Live Performance, where she completed her Bachelor Of Arts Degree in Production.

Abi West is our talented Contemporary teacher!

Styles: Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Modern

Abi is by nature an educator and thrives on teaching all ages. She is a qualified ballet teacher through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). She started dancing at age 3 in the Cecchettii method and trained in multiple disciplines such as contemporary, jazz, and modern.

Abi competed in several competitions and festivals and placed 1st in the character section in the Concour d’ Arts Festival at The National School of Arts for her character work. She also competed for several years with contemporary groups at The National Arts Festival and was one of the youngest choreographers entering.

Abi danced for the Lions rugby team and choreographed several high school productions. Abi also assists with other studios’ internal Ballet examinations.

Abi obtained her International Diploma in Makeup and Styling and has 22 years of makeup and hairstyling experience. She also has a diploma in Public Relations and Media Studies.

“I enjoy the freedom of contemporary dance but love the challenge of refining technique in the RAD syllabus with Ballet”.

“The first step to achieving your goal, is to take a moment to respect your goal. “Dwayne Johnson”

Michaela Lopes is our amazing Hip Hop Teacher, she has been with Ministry of Dance for 7 years.

Michaela is a qualified Hip Hop teacher and has had some great achievements as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher.

Assistant Choreography for The Voice Nigeria Season 1, The Voice SA Season 2, FNB Innovative Awards 2018. Danced alongside many South African artists for the Africa Music Awards in 2017 (Artists include Kwesta, Ricky Rick, Patoranking, Davido, and more). Danced on the first ever all-female cast for Castle Lite unlocks: Hip Hop: Her Story for Bontle Modisile as well as Nadia Nakai, Young MA, Moonchild, and more. Danced on Idols SA Season 16. Danced for Loyiso Baal’s Live Concert DVD recording. Choreographed the live album launch for Kanya Greens. I also danced in music videos for local artists as well as international African artists.

“My proudest moments were taking 2 of our MOD teams to World Champs in 2019, 2022 and 2023 with these teams receiving their Protea colours as well as having 3 teams (HERd, Coalition Small group and Imperatrix) receive their provincial colours twice. “

“My vision is to empower dancers to reach new heights by upskilling and embracing their unique journey. I believe in cultivating unshakable confidence within each dancer so that they believe in themselves as much as I do. I want dancers to understand that passion can take various paths – whether it leads to a professional career or remains a beloved hobby, both avenues are equally valid and fulfilling. I also want them to know that there is always a new goal to achieve and that it’s never too late to start.

In their journey, I want to emphasise that kindness, positivity, and good sportsmanship must always be remembered. Sharing a passion means sharing a love for each other and dance. As I strive for excellence, I do so in an environment that fosters camaraderie, supports one another, and spreads the joy that dance brings. I’m not just crafting exceptional dancers; I’m nurturing exceptional individuals who carry their passion and confidence in every facet of life.”

Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston S. Churchill

Natalie Temple is Ministry of Dance’s Dynamic Acrobatic Arts Trainer

Natalie is our Acrobatic arts trainer, has a rich background in gymnastics tumbling, and diverse dance styles. Natalie holds full South African colours, she competed in SA Games and excelled in international competitions, securing gold at the ADA in New York.

Natalie is a qualified instructor with AFSA Teachers Associate and Acrobatic Arts Teachers modules. Natalie brings a motivating and positive approach to her teaching.

She is dedicated to helping others succeed in acrobatics, and her energetic and driven personality makes her a valuable addition to the Ministry of Dance team.

Meet Luke Strachan – Choreographic Innovator at Ministry of Dance

Luke brings a burst of energy and humour to every class at Ministry of Dance, making each session not just a learning experience but a fun-filled adventure. Known for his jovial personality, Luke connects with students in a way that makes them feel at ease and excited to learn.

Beyond his engaging presence on the dance floor, Luke is a choreographic innovator. He thrives on creating original routines that express his artistic side, adding fresh and dynamic elements to the curriculum. His inventive approach not only keeps classes lively but also inspires students to explore their own creativity and push their boundaries.

With Luke, dance is more than movement—it’s a journey of expression, imagination, and joy.

Luke assists with Hip Hop, Popping, Contemporary dance.

Meet Tanika – Hip Hop Assistant Coach at Ministry of Dance

Tanika has been a vibrant member of the Ministry of Dance family since 2014 and has been dancing her heart out since 2009. In 2019, she began sharing her passion and skills by stepping into a teaching role, quickly becoming a valued Hip Hop assistant coach.

Tanika holds her Pre-Associates Hip Hop certification with the South African Body of Dance (SABOD) and brings a wealth of experience from various dance competitions. Her dedication and talent have earned her provincial colors, a testament to her commitment and skill in the world of dance.

At Ministry of Dance, Tanika continues to inspire and guide our dancers with her dynamic energy and deep-rooted love for Hip Hop.

Meet Caitlyn – A Versatile Assistant Dance Trainer at Ministry of Dance

With extensive training and qualifications in Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Freestyle, Acro, and Jazz. Caitlyn brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Ministry of Dance. Growing up as a dedicated member of the Jozi Youth Dance Company for eight years, Caitlyn honed their craft through numerous competitions, earning South African colours and making a mark on the dance scene.

Caitlyn’s passion for dance has opened doors to incredible opportunities, including international travels to places like Venice, Croatia, Japan, Singapore, and China for competitions, and working aboard an international cruise liner. Her talents have also shone on stage at major events, such as dancing at the Krone Festival at Loftus in front of 35,000 people and being part of dance crews for various commercial projects and product launches.

For Caitlyn, teaching is a true joy. Reflecting on her own journey from a shy child to a confident performer, Caitlyn values the impact that supportive teachers can have. Her goal is to ensure every student walks out of class feeling accomplished, energised, and inspired, having worked their bodies in a creative and fun way.

Introducing our dynamic Ballet Teacher, Kyra Mirtle

Kyra is 25 years old and has been dancing for as long as she can remember, starting with ballroom dancing at the age of 5. Her passion for ballet blossomed at the age of seven, when she convinced her mother to let her begin lessons. Kyra trained in the Cecchetti method throughout her ballet journey, progressing from Grade 1 exams to Advanced 1.

Performing has always been a highlight in her life, and she was fortunate to participate in annual productions at her studio, which she absolutely loved. Known for her perfectionist tendencies, Kyra consistently strives for technical accuracy in her dancing. Earlier this year, she moved to Johannesburg with the specific goal of completing her Associate Exam, a ballet teachers’ exam.

In addition to her love for ballet, Kyra is also a qualified instructor for BalletRIP, a ballet-inspired fitness class, which she thoroughly enjoys teaching.

Ballet has always been her passion, and Kyra is incredibly excited to share this love with young students, hoping they will grow to appreciate it as much as she does.