MEET OUR TEAM
AMANDA REYNOLDS
Founder & Owner - Classical Ballet, Modern Dance & Pilates Instructor
Amanda’s dance journey began at the age of 4 where she absolutely fell in love with ballet. She started training in the Cecchetti Classical Ballet Method with Renee Haylett in Parkdene, subsequently Karen Symons took over the studio and Amanda was introduced to the wonderful world of eisteddfods and stage performances.
At the age of 12, Amanda was a finalist in the Val Whyte Bursary, which awarded her the opportunity to attend the South African Ballet Academy where she was well-educated by many professional ballet dancers and teachers. It was at this stage in her life when she knew that she had to pursue her dream of one day owning her own dance studio.
Amanda joined STEPS School of Dance when she was 16 years old, where she successfully completed her AIDT Modern Dance Examinations from Intermediate to Advanced.
Amanda has furthermore successfully completed Cecchetti Classical Ballet Examinations from Pre-Primary to Advanced 2, including Associate and Associate Diploma including Associate Diploma and Licentiate (Awarded with the Gauteng Trophy for Highest Qualifying Examination mark in 2024).. She obtained her Trifocus Pilates Certification in 2011.
She has competed both nationally and internationally and has been fortunate enough to represent South Africa in America, Germany, Poland and Canada where she has won numerous World Titles.
Her professional dance career flourished in 2010 where she performed at The Carousel Casino. Amanda then boarded the Costa Serena Cruise Ship and completed a 7-month dance contract in the Mediterranean and South America. Following her contract on the ship; she joined Mzansi Productions for a short time before taking on teaching as her full-time career. Amanda has appeared in multiple adverts and contracts, including the incredible “Afrikaans Is Groot” concert in 2015.
With well over 15 years of teaching experience; Amanda has utilized her acquired knowledge to train and groom multiple World Champions and continues to inspire future dancers.
Amanda is currently the Chairlady of the East Rand Regional Branch of The Cecchetti Society of Southern Africa.
“There is no better feeling than to share my love and passion for dance with each and every pupil that I am fortunate enough to mentor.”
MEAGAN OLIVIER
Classical Ballet Instructor
Meagan Olivier has been dancing since the age of 5 and has trained in both Royal Academy of Dance and Cechetti Classical Ballet methods.
She completed her Graduate year in Ballet and Contemporary dance with Mzansi Productions in 2010 and was fortunate enough to work with many talented dancers and choreographers.
She received her Checchetti Classical Ballet Associate Qualification in 2014 and has been training students ever since. She went on to obtain her Cecchetti Associate Diploma Qualification in 2018 and received the award for the highest qualifying result in Gauteng.
Meagan is extremely passionate about teaching ballet and finds it so rewarding to work with young people. She has also trained dancers in all the advanced Checchetti levels including Advanced 2.
“I love to work with little dancers and find so much joy in watching them develop and advance into real life ballerinas.”
ROXANNE SEELY
Classical Ballet Instructor
Roxanne grew up with a passion for dancing, especially ballet. She began her ballet journey at the age of 4 years old, and knew that she would teach one day.
“I am so grateful to say that I have seen this dream come true as I am now a qualified ballet instructor with Cecchetti.”
Roxanne qualified in 2019 and wants to continue to grow and further her qualifications in the near future.
“I am so proud to be a part of the incredible dance school, Dance Core. It is an amazing family to be a part of.”
KELLY PATTERSON
Acrobatics Instructor
Kelly Patterson has been dancing since the age of 2. She started with Ballet and Acrobatics and explored other styles such as Modern Dance, Contemporary, Lyrical and Jazz in 2016.
Her competitive dance career started at age 7 and her first international dance competition was in Boston where she placed first overall.
Kelly studied dance as a subject in school from grade 4, achieving the highest practical mark in the grade in matric.
She has completed exams in Modern, Ballet, Contemporary and Acrobatics and has done many local and international competitions.
Kelly has been choreographing solos and teaching Acrobatics since the end of Covid in 2020 as well as group routines for competitions, festivals and concerts.