Welcome to Charmaine’s School of Ballet, where children discover the joy of classical dance.
I’m Charmaine Whaits, an accredited Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) teacher and the owner of Charmaine's School of Ballet in Mondeor, Johannesburg South. With nearly 30 years of teaching experience, I guide young dancers to build confidence, strength, and a lifelong love of ballet.
Why RAD-accredited teaching matters:
As an accredited RAD teacher, I am registered with the world's leading professional dance body and committed to ongoing professional development. This means your child receives structured, enjoyable, and safe instruction that supports steady progression - and the opportunity to work toward official RAD examinations recognised internationally.
With nearly 30 years of experience and a commitment to continuous professional development, I tailor my teaching to each student's unique anatomy, physical development, and learning style. Every child learns differently, and I adapt my approach to help them progress safely and confidently at their own pace.
Our dedicated studio features a sprung wooden floor to protect growing bodies, mirrors for proper technique development, plus a comfortable waiting area and dressing room. It's a purpose-built space designed for focused, safe practice.
Ballet training develops more than just dance skills. My students build discipline, body awareness, and performance confidence that serves them in all areas of life —from school presentations to social situations. I focus on nurturing the whole child, not just the dancer.
Through the RAD syllabus, students follow a progressive, age-appropriate curriculum that builds strong technical foundations. Those who choose to can work toward internationally recognised RAD examinations, opening doors to further dance opportunities worldwide.
I believe every student has potential waiting to be unlocked. My classes balance high standards with genuine encouragement, so students leave each lesson feeling accomplished, motivated, and eager to return. Growth happens when children feel safe to try, fail, and try again.
Our studio welcomes students from diverse backgrounds, creating a vibrant learning environment where children develop respect, empathy, and appreciation for different perspectives. Ballet becomes a shared language that connects us all.
Our youngest dancers begin in Pre-primary from age 4, with one lesson per week. Through playful, engaging classes, they develop posture, coordination, and musicality while learning to love movement. As they master these fundamentals - typically over one to two years - they progress to Primary level, where the joy of dance meets growing technical skill.
Junior students work through Grades 1 to 5 with two lessons per week. The early grades focus on establishing solid technique, which becomes more refined and expressive in Grades 3 to 5. Students also explore character dance—the theatrical folk dances seen in classical ballets like Swan Lake - adding storytelling and cultural richness to their training.
Our vocational levels (Intermediate Foundation through Advanced 1 and 2) are for dedicated students ready to deepen their practice with three lessons per week. These levels demand focus and commitment, but they're also where dancers experience the profound satisfaction of mastering complex choreography and expressive artistry.
Whether your child dreams of dancing professionally or simply loves the art form, there's a place for them at our studio.
At Charmaine's School of Ballet, I teach using the internationally recognised Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) method - a world-class system that develops technical skill alongside confidence, discipline, and creativity.
The RAD syllabus is trusted by dance schools in over 80 countries because it works. Students progress through a carefully structured curriculum that builds strong foundations in alignment, coordination, and artistry while developing life skills like focus, resilience, and self-expression. Whether your child dreams of performing professionally or simply wants to move with grace and confidence, RAD training provides a solid framework for growth.
My role is to bring this method to life with personalized attention, ensuring each student develops at their own pace in a supportive, inspiring environment.
"Our little one loves Charmaine so much and she absolutely enjoys ballet. Charmaine is a fantastic teacher with
great discipline and really and awesome person."
"Charmaine's School of Ballet has been the best investment for our daughters. We have been with her for over
five years now. Really happy with the overall experience."