Suellen De Villiers

LOWER DIVISION COORDINATOR

Suellen’s career can aptly be described as colorful. She has spent as much time in a boardroom as on a spotlight on stage; or the bright light on the ER. She has guided dancers through careers and accomplished surgeons through surgeries. She has always taken on different challenges treating all opportunities with passion and tenacity.

South African born she commenced her dancing career at a very young age of 2. Her Secondary education was at the National School of the Arts in South Africa where she graduated as a Dance Major. This provided her with with exposure to a variety of dance genres and world renowned choreographers and teachers. She was trained and qualified for all graded and Vocational RAD exams under Ms Reina Berman and Ms Joyce Myroff (RAD examiners). Her education at the school included Anatomy, Dance Kinesiology, History of Ballet and Music Appreciation.

She also developed a keen passion and expertise for Classical Spanish and Flamenco under Rhoda Rivikind (Luisa Cortes) She was awarded for classical ballet and Spanish dance on numerous dance platforms within South Africa and the proud recipient of the RAD and Mercedes Molina Bursaries. Her training education also involved collaboration with PACT Ballet under the guidance from Nicola Middlemist learning appreciation and skill of mixed repertoire. After a Rotary Exchange program in Argentina Suellen decided to follow in her mothers’ footsteps and qualified for her RAD Teaching certification (1995) with a distinction under Ms Jaqueline Wells.

Suellen has 25 year teaching experience in both ballet (RAD, Vaganova) Contemporary and Spanish dance in South Africa and the Asia Pacific region She has helped train and coach students on all levels working to develop a passion and skill in dance, all within a nurturing environment. Through these years her choreographies have been highly awarded on a national and international platforms both in South Africa and the Asia Pacific region. The Asian Grand Prix, Get the Beat and YAGP or just a few to mention. Her students have progressed to International Ballet schools and Professional Ballet/Spanish companies. She is a mentor and tutor for the RAD Teaching studies and has successfully coached many dancers into successful teachers today.