Striving Towards Excellence
ABOUT HPDE
HPDE was established in 2018, inspired by members of the dance community, realising the need for high performance Dance Education with renowned teachers/choreographers in a variety of dance styles.
HPDE is not studio based and embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognise our responsibility to provide an open, welcoming environment where dancers, teachers and choreographers of all backgrounds collaborate and reach their individual dreams. We are committed to inspire dancers to grow from good dancers to better dancers to the ultimate phenomenal.
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"Take more chances, dance more dances, if you stumble make it part of the dance."
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"One who expresses one’s self through dance is a dancer, one who expresses one’s self through a dancer is a teacher."
The Full Story
Founded in 2017 by Eunice Marais and Debbie Rakusin, after a transformative trip to Prague, High Performance Dance Education (HPDE) was born out of a vision to uplift and evolve the dance landscape in South Africa. HPDE provides high-level dance education to dancers from all backgrounds, fostering a space where excellence, collaboration, creativity, inclusion, and community impact thrive.
Dancers predominantly train at their own studios during the week, then come together at HPDE every Friday for enrichment. These sessions expose them to diverse dance experiences and provide opportunities to grow in a supportive, community-focused environment.
HPDE invites dancers and teachers alike to join the Friday sessions to collectively elevate the South African dance community.
HPDE is committed to providing world class dance instruction, through versatile and meaningful performance classes. We believe that each dancer has the ability to increase his/her physical, emotional and intellectual well-being through our dance programme.
Through the inspiration and leadership provided by a variety of teachers/trainers/choreographers each dancer will be encouraged to develop his/her own unique style of dance.
Our
Quest
Our
Goals
“Growing dancers from good to better to phenomenal”
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To unite dancers from diverse backgrounds.
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To expand dance education.
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To remain current, hip, hot and happening with the times.
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To introduce dancers to a variety of methods.
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To create the ability to adapt to different situations.
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To strive towards excellence.
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To mentor and grow confidence and resilience.
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To nurture the love and passion for dance.
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Our leadership will always value integrity and the highest ethics, consistently spreading positivity.
To see South African dance as part of the global arena, through diverse local and international trainers and choreographers we wish to educate and inspire dancers to achieve their maximum potential.
Our
Vision
Our
Aims
HPDE aims to challenge the dancers on a weekly basis by introducing a variety of genres and allowing the body and mind to explore.
About
Debbie Rakusin
Award winning Choreographer Debbie Rakusin has established herself as one of the leading Choreographers is South Africa. Over the years she has successfully explored the fusion of varied jazz, contemporary, African and tap styles.
Debbie is currently involved with the Corporate Market Producing choreographing and Directing shows for Prestigious Companies such as Bidvest, Nedbank, Telkom, MTN, Vodacom, Standard Bank, Discovery, Coca Cola, ABSA, SAB, Microsoft, Liberty Life, Nokia, Shell, EOH, and many others. As well as Choreographing shows in New Orleans, and Milwaukee USA, she has choreographed Miss South Africa, Miss Teen South Africa, World Summit in South Africa, and 2008 Miss World Pageant. Has Choreographed SAMAs as well as Miss Teen and Miss South Africa.
“Having devoted my entire life to dance, I feel privileged to have successfully submitted all aspects
of the Industry, being: Producing, Directing, Choreographing, Judging, Mentoring and teaching both locally and internationally. I am proud of having been one of the original pioneers of Transformation in dance in our rainbow nation, having paved the way for many of our super stars who have been recognised in South Africa and around the world, as leaders in their fields. The fact that I have impacted 1000s of dancer’s lives, is indescribable and will remain embedded in me for life.
My vision is to grow the next generation with my life time of experiences. I strongly subscribe to The
Power of Courtesy and believe that when you add courtesy to something you love, it returns twofold.
I remain humble and my work ethos is based on honesty, professionalism, integrity, versatility and
an enormous amount of passion.”
About
Eunice Marais
Passionate about the upliftment of youth through dance, Eunice Marais has dedicated her career to providing extraordinary opportunities for young dancers from diverse backgrounds. She strongly advocates for versatility in dance, ensuring her students are exposed to a wide array of teachers and choreographers.
Eunice has been an associate member of the South African Body of Dance (SABOD) since 1984, contributing significantly to the dance community's growth and development. A lifelong learner, she remains abreast of international dance trends, particularly in competitions and dance education, striving to integrate the latest advancements into her teaching.
Her expertise lies in training and mentoring dancers for various IDO World Championships across street dance styles, modern, and jazz genres. Eunice Marais continues to inspire and empower the next generation of dancers, fostering both artistic excellence and personal growth through her
unwavering dedication to dance education.
