FACULTY MEMBERS

Gail Myburgh

GAIL MYBURGH (married name Featherstone)

Founder & senior teacher of all levels
FISTD London, Cecchetti Society Faculty; Maestro Enrico Cecchetti Dip; Senior Examiner, the Cecchetti Society of Southern Africa; National Chairman, the Cecchetti Society of Southern Africa; Council Member, the Cecchetti Society of Southern Africa; Chair, Cecchetti International Classical Ballet
  • Gail Myburgh is an experienced ballet teacher of thirty eight year’s standing, who teaches the Cecchetti Method.
  • Initial training was received from Vera Lane and Renay Haylett.
  • After matriculating, joined the then, Pact Ballet Graduate Course and participated in several productions.
  • Became a member of Audrey King’s touring company and performed in National tours and at International Festivals in Israel, Aberdeen, London and Rome.
  • Trained for Vocational examinations and the Associate in the Cecchetti Method by Audrey King.
  • After teaching in Reiger Park, Boksburg, was privately employed by Audrey King.
  • Headed Audrey King’s outreach programmes for a number of years.
  • Mentored for the Fellowship examination by Diana Ward-Hull, and for the Maestro Enrico Cecchetti Diploma examination, by Diana Ward-Hull and Vivienne Keegan.
  • Received additional tuition and guidance from Lynne Fouché and the late Faith de Villiers.
  • Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, London (Cecchetti Society Faculty), holding the Maestro Enrico Cecchetti Diploma.
  • Senior Examiner for the Cecchetti Society of Southern Africa which is affiliated to the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, London.
  • Private ballet studio in Bryanston established in 1979, from where all levels, from four years of age through to pre-professional and qualifying echelons are taught.
  • Ballet teacher at Roedean Junior School since 1979.
  • Ballet teacher at St John’s Bridge Nursery School since 2003.
  • Appointed to the examining board of the Cecchetti Society of Southern Africa in 1991 and examines all levels through to Vocational and Qualifying.
  • Served on the Johannesburg regional branch committee for approximately seven years, two years as regional chairperson.
  • Elected to the Council of Management in 1995 and carried the administrative portfolio until her resignation in 1999.
  • Co-opted as Acting Artistic Director in January 2001 and became re-elected to the Council of Management in May 2001.
  • Appointed to the position of National Chairman of the Cecchetti Society of Southern Africa, and currently serves in that position.
  • One of two South African delegates for Cecchetti International Classical Ballet.
  • Elected Vice-Chair of Cecchetti International Classical Ballet in August 2014.
  • Elected Chair of Cecchetti International Classical Ballet in August 2017.
Robyn van Beek

ROBYN SAVAGE (married name van Beek)

Senior teacher of all levels
FISTD London, Cecchetti Society Faculty; Senior Examiner, the Cecchetti Society of Southern Africa; Regional Secretary, JHB Branch, Cecchetti Society S.A; President, the National Society of Dance Teachers S.A.; Badge Tester, the National Society of Dance Teachers, S.A.
  • Robyn Savage received her formative training with Celeste Fair.
  • Completed Royal Academy of Dance examinations.
  • Attained Fellowship status with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, London (Cecchetti Society Faculty).
  • Completed a three year teachers & performance course at the UCT Ballet School.
  • Danced in UCT student productions and CAPAB productions.
  • Selected to perform at a youth performance in Lausanne, Switzerland.
  • Appointed to choreograph for the play Peter Rabbit, which was a joint venture with the music and drama students at UCT.
  • Started her own studio in Fish Hoek, Cape Town and taught, as well, for the former Department of Coloured Affairs and Cape Town Education Department.
  • Danced and taught in the Netherlands for four years.
  • On her return to South Africa she taught underprivileged children in Pietersburg for three years.
  • Senior examiner for the Cecchetti Society of Southern Africa.
  • Has been the regional branch secretary of the Cecchetti Society of Southern Africa for five years.
  • Elected to the portfolio of President of the National Society of Dance Teachers.
  • Currently a Badge Tester for the National Society of Dance Teachers.
  • Has taught in Johannesburg with Gail Myburgh since 1996.