Phoenix Dance Company

Phoenix Dance Company is based in Danskraal, Northumberland Rd, Oakdale, in the Bellville/Durbanville area of Cape Town's Northern Suburbs. The studio offers group and private Ballroom & Latin American dance classes for social and competitive dancers, with no contracts and no partner required.

The studio teaches a comprehensive range of styles. Ballroom dances include Waltz, Tango, Rhythm Foxtrot, Slow Fox, Quickstep, and Viennese Waltz. Latin American styles cover Rumba (Cuban and Box), Cha Cha, Samba, Mambo, Salsa, and Jive. Beyond the standard 10 dances, Phoenix offers Bachata, Sokkie, Loopdans, Two-step, Line Dancing, Eastern Swing, Western Swing, Boogie, and Jazz. All ages are welcome, and no previous dance experience is needed.

The team comprises IDTA-qualified instructors described as among the highest qualified in the world. Head instructors include Carina Cullen (founder, IDTA Distinction qualified, BDram from Stellenbosch University, performer and adjudicator); Reggie Alexander Lawrence (17 years' experience as Ballroom and Latin instructor, adjudicator and performer, with students placing first in SADF Regional & National Competitions annually since 2012); Zoey Swanepoel (five-time Western Cape Champion, four-time National Champion, ranked top 30 in the world at Blackpool, 13 years classical training in all ten dances, also a Sokkie National Champion twice); Ilene Erlank (seven-time National Champion with 5 consecutive National Ballroom Championship titles, trained by Michael Wentink, Paul Smuts-Steyn, and others); and London Louw (quadruple Fellowship in IDTA, certified judge and British Dance Council scrutineer, trained since 2002 in Latin, Ballroom standard, ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and African modern dance).

Group classes run Monday evenings 7pm–8pm followed by a social 8pm–9pm. The cost is R640 per month or R180 drop-in, with the first visit free. Private lessons offer flexible scheduling: weekdays 10:00 AM–10:00 PM and Saturdays 9:00 AM–7:00 PM, with flexible monthly packages and no contracts.

The studio serves multiple markets: wedding couples (offering choreographed or semi-choreographed first dances, bridal party choreography, and father-daughter dances); corporate functions and film/media work; matric farewells; and social dancers. A testimonial from Tatum Morley notes that instructor Chantell choreographed a special wedding dance and was patient and organized. Zak Blomerus, described as a complete dancing novice, went from "two left feet" to performing a passable wedding dance in a couple of short classes. Johanlie de Bruin and husband went from being unable to dance 2 steps together to continuing with dance lessons. Nadia Africa called the team professional and extremely talented.

Students have performed on television series including The Apprentice (BBC), UK's Love Island (iTV2), Hectic Nine 9 (SABC 2), DeafTV (SABC 3), and Vreemde Vriende (DSTV). The studio emphasizes that it helps students equip themselves to dance at weddings, matric farewells, birthday parties, work functions and nights out, while building confidence and making new friends.

Drop in to a welcoming environment where partner rotation means you can come alone, with a friend, or as a couple. Monday evenings begin with a group class at 7pm covering step patterns, partnering, technique and body movement across various Ballroom and Latin styles, followed by a social from 8pm where you practise what you've learned. No previous experience needed; first visit is free.

The studio is led by founder Carina Cullen (IDTA Distinction, BDram, performer and adjudicator), alongside Reggie Alexander Lawrence (17 years' experience, students regularly place first in national competitions), Zoey Swanepoel (four-time National Champion, five-time Western Cape Champion), Ilene Erlank (seven-time National Champion, trained by World Latin American Champion Michael Wentink), and London Louw (quadruple IDTA Fellow, certified judge and British Dance Council scrutineer). All are IDTA-qualified.

No previous dance experience is needed; all ages welcome, no contracts, no partner required, and the first group class is free.