Michelle School of Dance is a professional dance school based in Pretoria and is dedicated to the wonderful art of ballet and dance in general. The dance school is owned and run by Michelle Nesbitt.
Michelle School of Dance offers Cecchetti style ballet as well as modern and jazz dance classes from age 3 right up to Advanced 2 level (for ballet) as well as private lessons.
Michelle School of Dance also offers choreography for individuals and teams for shows and competitions for ballet, jazz and modern dancing.
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Classical ballet is an excellent extra-mural activity that develops muscle tone and strength, improves co-ordination, develops musicality, improves posture, stimulates the mind and the imagination, and encourages good self-esteem. Ballet is the backbone of all dance genres, where control and alignment are established.
Michelle's dance school follows the internationally recognised Cecchetti method. The Cecchetti method is a ballet technique devised by the Italian ballet master Enrico Cecchetti (1850–1928). The method seeks to develop the essential skills of dance (e.g., balance, poise, strength, elevation, flexibility, and artistry) in ballet students. The Cecchetti method offer Primary and High School students the opportunity to participate in International Examinations and gain internationally recognised qualifications to ensure the correct procedures are followed, should they wish to continue to study dance after school. These qualifications will also be beneficial to students who wish to make a career out of dance in either becoming a ballet teacher or becoming a professional ballet dancer.
MICHELLE NESBITT
Teacher
Michelle matriculated at Pro Arte Alphenpark with a distinction in Ballet. She was trained by Joy Cooper and has been awarded many Cecchetti awards for outstanding achievements. Michelle participated at Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland. Pro Arte School then recognised her excellence in Ballet with special colours each year. After matriculating Michelle danced professionally for 1 year at PACT. She was then offered a bursary from Cape Town University where she studied for 5 years obtaining her Bachelors of Music in Dance degree and then her B Mus Honours degree in ballet after which she joined Cape Town City Ballet.
Michelle returned to Pretoria and established Michelle School of Ballet in 2009 and has delivered professional dancers and award winners in different ballet categories in prestigious international dance competitions around the world.
Michelle has a special talent for choreography and has entered pieces for IDO (International Dance Organization) in 2017 and 2019 when her choreography achieved first place in both competitions.
Michelle School of Dance has taken part in the Dance World Cup Competition since 2014 where both the school and individual students excelled.
Demi Vermaak
Teacher
Demi is a passionate young dancer. She dances in various styles including ballet, modern, jazz and contemporary. She obtained her Associate Teachers Qualification through the South African Body of Dance in 2019. Demi has also represented South Africa in numerous overseas competitions. Her passion for dance has allowed her the opportunity to travel to many different countries including Barcelona, Croatia, Portugal, Poland, Jersey, New York, Germany and Slovenia. Some of the great success she has achieved overseas includes the following placements:
Demi has also been part of formations and small groups that placed overall 1st worldwide and won the gala event. She then completed all of the exams in modern dancing and strives to keep on growing in her passion and to teach all that she has learned to those who are as passionate about dancing as she is.
