SASHA-LEE HERBST
Live to dance is run by Sasha-Lee Herbst who has been involved in the dance industry for the past 16 years, initially on a competitive level and now as a professional. She has an all-consuming passion for passing her knowledge on to her students. Sasha has many titles behind her name including South African Freestyle & Slowdance Champion as well as Champion of Champions. She has competed at not only the Freestyle World Championships but has also come 3rd at the Showdance World Championships where 52 other teams were competing. Sasha is qualified with the South African Dance Teachers Association. She was also chosen to be the team captain for Gauteng at the South African Freestyle Championships 2017, where Gauteng won.
Live to Dance opened officially in January 2016 with 4 students. Sasha’s love for her pupils and dance has gotten 100 more pupils. Sasha believes that a pupil is not just a number, each child is an individual and they need to be treated that way.
CAITLIN HERBST
Caitlin started dancing at Diana Moore Dance World when she was just 3 years old. She trained in Freestyle, Slowdance and ballet, however her focus was in Freestyle and Slowdance.
Caitlin achieved much success in these disciplines, earning SA Champion titles in multiple age groups. She has been awarded both Gauteng and South African colours. Caitlin qualified to dance in the Freestyle World Championship, but was unable to participate after picking up an injury.
Following her injury, Caitlin trained in Modern, Jazz, Tap and Contemporary. In 2019, she was part of the South African Jazz and Modern team that competed in Poland. The team finished first and second in the respective categories. This fete earned Caitlin her National Protea Colours.
“Through all the years of dancing, I have gained as much knowledge and experience as possible and my biggest goal is to share as much of it as possible with the new generation of dancers.”
Kelly Vilakzi
Kelly is the Hip Hop teacher at Live to dance. She dancing in 2005, participating in Hip Hop, Freestyle, Slow dance and Latin.
Her achievements include:
- WTC Hip Hop and Showdance 2008/2009
- Dancer of the year Champ of Champs Hip Hop 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011
- South Africa Rising Stars contemporary, freestyle and slow dance 2008/2009
- Dance to Las Vegas 3rd place Hip Hop dance crew 2009
- IDO showdance WTC Worlds in Germany formation 2009 3rd place and 2010 8th place.
Performance / shows experience:
- MPH car show 2008
- Big Brother Africa (dancer) 2010
- PSL Awards 2010/2011
- Nedbank Cup Show 2010
- Vodacom dancer 2010
- FIFA World Cup (Coca-Cola dancer) 2010
- Dance for Zuma president 2011
- SAMAS awards 2012
- Miss Italy 2012
- Rouge after dark 2012
- IFC dancer 2012
- Felions dancer (cheerleader) 2012
- Djibiouti 3 months contract 2009
- Turkey 6 months burlesque contract
- AFCON 2013 opening and closing ceremony
- Kanye West concert – opening the show 2013
- Adverts
- Greek cell phone advert 2009
- Jet advert 2009
In addition to her outstanding resume, Kelly has also Judged competitions such as Dancer of the year and Discorama.
RIKA BADENHORST
Rika started Ballet at the age of 11 and did her first Cecchetti Gr1 exam at 12 years old. She finished all Cecchetti exams up to Intermediate.
Rika danced at the Mabel Rian awards for her Elementary exam and attained a highly commended status. She did the DASA advanced exam at age 35 and completed her teachers diploma in 1996.
In addition, Rika completed her Elementary exam with the Imperial method and competed in the Alberton eisteddfod from Highschool until 30 years of age.
Performance / Show experience:
– Danced at the state theatre in Pretoria for the turning pointe tribute concert.
– Danced at the Johannesburg Disney Fantacia 2000 concert.
Rika has 29 years of dance experience and 25 years of teaching experience. She completed modern theatre senior exams as well as teachers diploma with the ISTD in 1998. She also completed her junior level Hip Hop teachers exam with SABOD 2019. In addition to her other forms of dance, Rika also has four years of Belly dancing experience.
Several of Rika’s students, danced for the JHB youth Company and one of her male students even made it into the Cape Town city Ballet. Other students were selected to attend the National school of the arts.
Rika added to her formal qualifications by completing the Cuban Methodology Levels 1 to 6 in 2015 and is currently resuming training for Level 7 and 8.
EMMANUEL THODLANA
Emmanuel Thodlana also know as E-Man started dancing at the age of 16 in 2006 at Diane Moore Dance World. His first trainers, who had the biggest influence on him, were Amber Pamp and 3 time Showdance World Champion Nick Dawson.
“To make it in this industry, you must be versatile”
E-Man is a Hip-Hop and Showdance World Champion Finalist and has worked with many artists, including Jamali, Arthur, Chommie, AKA, Tamara Dey, Snotkop, Zulu Boi, Lloyd Cele and Micasa.
One of E-man’s fondest memories was being able to perform at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, along with long time friend, and Hip Hop dance partner Carl Davids.
MARILIZE BADENHORST
Marilize started dancing at 3 years of age. She completed all of her exams up until advanced 2.
In 2015, she joined the Johannesburg Youth Ballet and remained with the company until 2019.
In 2020, Marilize was accepted into The Academy SA where she did ballet, contemporary, hip hop and freestyle. She also learned about starting and handling businesses, teaching, learning different languages and choreography.
“I love to dance, I live to Dance and to inspire the next generation.”
SAMMY VIANA
Sammy started dancing at the age of four years old at Diana Moore Dance Studio. She now has over 36 years of dance experience.
“I have trained in all styles of dancing…Freestyle, Slow dance, Hustle, Rock ‘n Roll and Latin American.”
Sammy has earned numerous SA and Gauteng titles. She has also won the Champion of Champions crown twice.
She was honoured to receive her dancing colours and had the privilege of representing South Africa in Russia for Latin American.
Sammy continued her professional career in many shows and stage productions throughout the world. Her latest achievement was competing in Strictly Come Dancing.
She is now a teacher, imparting her knowledge to dancers at Live to Dance.