COUNCIL NOTICES
June 2026

MS JOSÉ PRETORIUS – RETIREMENT

FROM THE COUNCIL OF MANAGEMENT OF THE CECCHETTI SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

The Cecchetti Society of Southern Africa acknowledges the exceptional service of Ms. José Pretorius, whose long tenure as a Council member has been marked by wisdom, integrity, and unwavering dedication.

Her contributions have significantly guided the Society, and her steady input has been a source of assurance to all who have served alongside her.

Ms Pretorius qualified as a school teacher at the Johannesburg College of Education and received her early ballet training from Millie Ogilvie in East London. After moving to Johannesburg, she continued her Cecchetti training under Vera Lane and Faith de Villiers and studied RAD with Rona Smith and Marjorie Sturman.

José holds Fellowship status and the Maestro Enrico Cecchetti Diploma and has examined all levels through to Vocational and Qualifying levels until December 2024, at which time she retired from the CSSA examining panel.

Ms. Pretorius has served on the Council of Management for many years and continues to actively teach at her private studio in Linden.

José was an examiner and moderator for Practical Ballet for the Gauteng Education Department. She was Head of Department at the Johannesburg Art, Ballet and Music School and, thereafter, at The National School of The Arts.

In 1998 she was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, in appreciation for “tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations of people of the world.”

As Ms. José Pretorius retires as a Council member, we honour her for her principled leadership, quiet strength, and steadfast commitment and remain delighted that she will continue to be involved with the checking of examination results and various tasks at HQ.

DENISE SCHULTZE

TODAY WE SAY GOODBUY TO A REMARKABLE
WOMAN OF THE BALLET WORLD…

Denise Schultze was more than an accomplished dancer and artistic leader; she was an inspiration to generations of dancers whose lives were influenced by her passion, vision, and dedication to the art of ballet.
As a former principal ballerina of PACT Ballet and later Co-Artistic Director of the company alongside Louis Godfrey, Denise played a significant role in shaping the development of ballet in South Africa. Her influence extended internationally through her work with Ballet West in the United States, leaving a lasting impact on dancers, audiences, and colleagues alike.

This has been a particularly sad week for the dance community in South Africa. As we mourn the loss of another cherished artist, we also celebrate a life devoted to excellence, beauty, and the transformative power of dance.
Denise’s legacy lives on in the countless dancers she inspired, the productions she helped create, and the memories she leaves behind.

Rest gently, Denise. Your grace, artistry, and contribution to the world of ballet will never be forgotten.

Sir Geoffrey Neiman & Denise Schultze, titans of SA dance passed 2 days apart.

COUNCIL NOTICES:
June 2026

CSSA 2027 SUMMER SCHOOL

Revised dates: Saturday 4 – Friday 10 December 2027, inclusive. (Departure Saturday 11 December).

  • Registration at Hilton College: Saturday 4 December 2027 from 14h30 -17h00.
  • Cocktail Function: Saturday 4 December 2027 from 18h00 – 19h30.
  • Student Performance: Friday 10 December at 19h30 (Open to the Public).

Further details are to be announced in due course.

CSSA 2027 CYRIL BEAUMONT BURSARY AWARD COMPETITION

A Cyril Beaumont Bursary Award Competition will take place during the 2027 Summer School.

THE CECCHETTI SOCIETY TRUST – ANNUAL STUDY BURSARY FOR TEACHERS IN SOUTH AFRICA WHO ARE WORKING TOWARDS PROGESSING THEIR TEACHING TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL

The Cecchetti Society Trust, UK generously makes an annual Study Bursary available to teachers in South Africa who wish to progress their teaching to the highest level.

  • The purpose of the bursary is to assist teachers who are studying towards Fellowship or Maestro Enrico Cecchetti Diploma.
  • At the discretion of an appointed Bursary Selection Panel, a bursary may be shared or granted to more than one applicant.
  • The Study Bursary honours the dedication to teaching, the promotion of the art form and the selfless investment in the Cecchetti Method by Diana Barker, an esteemed Cecchetti teacher, Chair of the Cecchetti Classical Ballet Faculty, ISTD between 1976-1990, and a founder member and Chair of The Cecchetti Society Trust 1978-1990.
  • The total monetary value of the Bursary is fixed by the Trust, and can be used for the cost of tuition, or the examination entry fee, or partly both, for either the Fellowship, endorsed by the ISTD, or the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma, certified by the CSSA.

FELLOWSHIP AND MAESTRO ENRICO CECCHETTI BURSARY APPLICATIONS FOR STUDY IN 2027

  • The closing date is 1st December 2026 for training/study to be undertaken in the 2027 academic year. In order to reach the deadline, completed application forms are to be forwarded to the CSSA Council of Management no later than 17 November 2026.
  • The application form and terms & conditions are available directly from CSSA HQ and on the CSSA website.
  • An appointed bursary selection panel will review applications.

The Council of Management expresses enormous gratitude to the Cecchetti Society Trust for the magnanimous financial assistance offered to CSSA teachers, and likewise thanks Ms. Diane van Schoor for her efforts on behalf of the South African membership.

POST EXAMINATION WORKSHOPS

Post examination Workshops have been implemented as from First Session examinations in 2026.

  • It is incumbent on members to attend the post examination course/workshop, as well as other regional and national courses, in the interests of professional development and for increasing skills, knowledge, and experience beyond the member’s initial training.
  • Members should attend all courses which are offered, and not just the levels at which a member is currently teaching.
  • The post examination course/workshop is free of charge to members. Members who have not entered in a session are also encouraged to attend the workshop.

CONCESSION – NUMBER OF STUDENTS TO BE USED IN PRACTICAL TEACHING QUALIFYING EXAMINATIONS IN 2026

During 2026, the concession will be upheld to allow two (as opposed to four) students to be used in an Associate, Associate Diploma, Licentiate Assessment, Licentiate, Fellowship Assessment and Fellowship practical examinations. The same applies to the group arrangement in the Associate Diploma examination.

EXAMINATION DOCUMENTS

Regional secretaries and members are requested to ensure that all documentation used in examinations is current.

ANATOMY PAPERS – 2026

  • Examination date: Sunday 1 November 2026.
  • Closing date of entry: 30 June 2026.
  • Application forms are available from Headquarters.

CSSA MAGAZINE

Vital information is conveyed to members by means of bi-annual editions of the CSSA Magazine. The Magazine is uploaded to the CSSA website and available to paid-up members. Members are urged to remain au fait with all information provided.

SAFEGUARDING

Members are reminded of their obligations in terms of Safeguarding.

COUNCIL NOTICES:
January 2026

CSSA MAGAZINE

Vital information is conveyed to members by means of bi-annual editions of the CSSA Magazine. The magazine is uploaded to the CSSA website and available to paid up members. Members are urged to remain au fait with all information provided.

PAYMENT OF ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

No later than 31 March 2026.

  • Payments should be received by CSSA HQ administration no later than 31 March annually.
  • All CSSA members are required to remit subscription payments directly to the CSSA bank account and not to the ISTD.

Banking deposit reference: Please state the registered name of the member.

CSSA – NATIONAL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2026

Date: Saturday 16 May 2026.

Location: Cape Town

Venue: To be advised.

Time: 14h30

CSSA DEDICATION AWARD

The Council of Management is pleased to announce that Mrs. Jennifer Klipfel will be honoured with the presentation of the Cecchetti Dedication Award on Saturday 16 May 2026, at a function immediately following the National Annual General Meeting. Invitations will be sent via e-mail.

Location: Cape Town

Venue: To be confirmed.

Time: Immediately following the National AGM.

THE CECCHETTI SOCIETY TRUST – ANNUAL STUDY BURSARY FOR TEACHERS IN SOUTH AFRICA WHO ARE WORKING TOWARDS PROGESSING THEIR TEACHING TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL

The Cecchetti Society Trust, UK generously makes an annual Study Bursary available to teachers in South Africa who wish to progress their teaching to the highest level.

  • The purpose of the bursary is to assist teachers who are studying towards Fellowship or Maestro Enrico Cecchetti Diploma.
  • At the discretion of an appointed Bursary Selection Panel, a bursary may be shared or granted to more than one applicant.
  • The Study Bursary honours the dedication to teaching, the promotion of the art form and the selfless investment in the Cecchetti Method by Diana Barker, an esteemed Cecchetti teacher, Chair of the Cecchetti Classical Ballet Faculty, ISTD between 1976-1990, and a founder member and Chair of The Cecchetti Society Trust 1978-1990.
  • The total monetary value of the Bursary is fixed by the Trust, and can be used for the cost of tuition, or the examination entry fee, or partly both, for either the Fellowship, endorsed by the ISTD, or the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma, certified by the CSSA.

FELLOWSHIP AND MAESTRO ENRICO CECCHETTI BURSARY APPLCATIONS FOR STUDY IN 2026

  • The Cecchetti Society Trust is inviting bursary applications for Fellowship and Maestro Enrico Cecchetti Diploma training/study in 2026.
  • Completed application forms are to be forwarded to the CSSA Council of Management no later than 1 March 2026.

FELLOWSHIP AND MAESTRO ENRICO CECCHETTI BURSARY APPLICATIONS FOR STUDY IN 2027

  • The closing date is 1st December 2026 for training/study to be undertaken in the following academic year. Completed application forms are to be forwarded to the CSSA Council of Management no later than 17 November 2026.
  • The application form and terms & conditions are available directly from CSSA HQ and on the CSSA website.
  • An appointed bursary selection panel will review applications.

The Council of Management expresses enormous gratitude to the Cecchetti Society Trust for the magnanimous financial assistance offered to CSSA teachers, and likewise thanks Ms. Diane van Schoor for her efforts on behalf of the South African membership.

ANATOMY PAPERS – 2026

  • Examination date: Sunday 1 November 2026.
  • Closing date of entry: 30 June 2026.
  • Application forms are available from Headquarters.

RESULTS OF THE CYRIL BEAUMONT BURSARY AWARD COMPETITION 2025

The finalists of 2025 Cyril Beaumont competition were

  • Leah Deetlefs (Karen Koen-Jooste, Cape Town).
  • Kyra Steyn (Première Dance Academy, Natali Roos / Elesia Ceronio, Pretoria).

The winner of the Cyril Beaumont Award was Kyra Steyn.

ALBERTA BALLET – TUITION FREE SUMMER SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP

The recipient of the tuition free scholarship to attend the Alberta Ballet Summer School for 2026 was Gia Marais (Première Dance Academy, Natali Roos / Elesia Ceronio, Pretoria).

The Council of Management thanks the Alberta Ballet School itself for am most generous opportunity for a young South African student, and Ms. Diane van Schoor for securing the scholarship.

CHANGE OF PERSONAL DETAILS

In the event of changes to personal details, the member concerned should notify all of the following: CSSA National Headquarters, the appropriate regional branch secretary, and the ISTD membership department.

UPDATED INFORMATION DIRECTIVE – 2025

Members are reminded to purchase the above from HQ.

RYMANS DICTIONARY

Order directly from: www.dancecollectiondanse.on.ca or www.dcd.ca

2027 CECCHETTI INTERNATIONAL CLASSICAL BALLET COMPETITION

The 2027 Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Competition will not be hosted in Australia as previously notified. Amended location and dates will be conveyed as soon as possible.

COMPETITION LEVELS

  • Junior Level: Ages 13 & 14, having passed Intermediate (or equivalent level nomenclature used by each organization).
  • Senior Level: Ages 15, 16 & 17 having passed Advanced I (or equivalent level nomenclature used by each organization).
  • Pre-Professional Level: 18, 19 & 20 having passed Advanced II (or equivalent level nomenclature used by each organization).
  • Age and certification by the start of the competition.
  • Be a student and not a professional dancer (i.e. anyone who is employed as a full-time dancer with a professional dance company. This includes dancers who are not currently employed but have been in the past).
  • Entries are only permitted through the audition process of CICB corporate member organisations.

CSSA MAGAZINE

Vital information is conveyed to members by means of bi-annual editions of the CSSA Magazine. The magazine is uploaded to the CSSA website and available to paid up members. Members are urged to remain au fait with all information provided.

PAYMENT OF ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

No later than 31 March 2026.

  • Payments should be received by CSSA HQ administration no later than 31 March annually.
  • All CSSA members are required to remit subscription payments directly to the CSSA bank account and not to the ISTD.

Banking deposit reference: Please state the registered name of the member.

CSSA – NATIONAL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2026

Date: Saturday 16 May 2026.

Location: Cape Town

Venue: To be advised.

Time: 14h30

CSSA DEDICATION AWARD

The Council of Management is pleased to announce that Mrs. Jennifer Klipfel will be honoured with the presentation of the Cecchetti Dedication Award on Saturday 16 May 2026, at a function immediately following the National Annual General Meeting. Invitations will be sent via e-mail.

Location: Cape Town

Venue: To be confirmed.

Time: Immediately following the National AGM.

THE CECCHETTI SOCIETY TRUST – ANNUAL STUDY BURSARY FOR TEACHERS IN SOUTH AFRICA WHO ARE WORKING TOWARDS PROGESSING THEIR TEACHING TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL

The Cecchetti Society Trust, UK generously makes an annual Study Bursary available to teachers in South Africa who wish to progress their teaching to the highest level.

  • The purpose of the bursary is to assist teachers who are studying towards Fellowship or Maestro Enrico Cecchetti Diploma.
  • At the discretion of an appointed Bursary Selection Panel, a bursary may be shared or granted to more than one applicant.
  • The Study Bursary honours the dedication to teaching, the promotion of the art form and the selfless investment in the Cecchetti Method by Diana Barker, an esteemed Cecchetti teacher, Chair of the Cecchetti Classical Ballet Faculty, ISTD between 1976-1990, and a founder member and Chair of The Cecchetti Society Trust 1978-1990.
  • The total monetary value of the Bursary is fixed by the Trust, and can be used for the cost of tuition, or the examination entry fee, or partly both, for either the Fellowship, endorsed by the ISTD, or the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma, certified by the CSSA.

FELLOWSHIP AND MAESTRO ENRICO CECCHETTI BURSARY APPLCATIONS FOR STUDY IN 2026

  • The Cecchetti Society Trust is inviting bursary applications for Fellowship and Maestro Enrico Cecchetti Diploma training/study in 2026.
  • Completed application forms are to be forwarded to the CSSA Council of Management no later than 1 March 2026.

FELLOWSHIP AND MAESTRO ENRICO CECCHETTI BURSARY APPLICATIONS FOR STUDY IN 2027

  • The closing date is 1st December 2026 for training/study to be undertaken in the following academic year. Completed application forms are to be forwarded to the CSSA Council of Management no later than 17 November 2026.
  • The application form and terms & conditions are available directly from CSSA HQ and on the CSSA website.
  • An appointed bursary selection panel will review applications.

The Council of Management expresses enormous gratitude to the Cecchetti Society Trust for the magnanimous financial assistance offered to CSSA teachers, and likewise thanks Ms. Diane van Schoor for her efforts on behalf of the South African membership.

ANATOMY PAPERS – 2026

  • Examination date: Sunday 1 November 2026.
  • Closing date of entry: 30 June 2026.
  • Application forms are available from Headquarters.

RESULTS OF THE CYRIL BEAUMONT BURSARY AWARD COMPETITION 2025

The finalists of 2025 Cyril Beaumont competition were

  • Leah Deetlefs (Karen Koen-Jooste, Cape Town).
  • Kyra Steyn (Première Dance Academy, Natali Roos / Elesia Ceronio, Pretoria).

The winner of the Cyril Beaumont Award was Kyra Steyn.

ALBERTA BALLET – TUITION FREE SUMMER SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP

The recipient of the tuition free scholarship to attend the Alberta Ballet Summer School for 2026 was Gia Marais (Première Dance Academy, Natali Roos / Elesia Ceronio, Pretoria).

The Council of Management thanks the Alberta Ballet School itself for am most generous opportunity for a young South African student, and Ms. Diane van Schoor for securing the scholarship.

CHANGE OF PERSONAL DETAILS

In the event of changes to personal details, the member concerned should notify all of the following: CSSA National Headquarters, the appropriate regional branch secretary, and the ISTD membership department.

UPDATED INFORMATION DIRECTIVE – 2025

Members are reminded to purchase the above from HQ.

RYMANS DICTIONARY

Order directly from: www.dancecollectiondanse.on.ca or www.dcd.ca

2027 CECCHETTI INTERNATIONAL CLASSICAL BALLET COMPETITION

The 2027 Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Competition will not be hosted in Australia as previously notified. Amended location and dates will be conveyed as soon as possible.

COMPETITION LEVELS

  • Junior Level: Ages 13 & 14, having passed Intermediate (or equivalent level nomenclature used by each organization).
  • Senior Level: Ages 15, 16 & 17 having passed Advanced I (or equivalent level nomenclature used by each organization).
  • Pre-Professional Level: 18, 19 & 20 having passed Advanced II (or equivalent level nomenclature used by each organization).
  • Age and certification by the start of the competition.
  • Be a student and not a professional dancer (i.e. anyone who is employed as a full-time dancer with a professional dance company. This includes dancers who are not currently employed but have been in the past).
  • Entries are only permitted through the audition process of CICB corporate member organisations.

THE CECCHETTI SOCIETY TRUST

THE CECCHETTI SOCIETY TRUST –
ANNUAL STUDY BURSARY FOR TEACHERS IN SOUTH AFRICA WHO
ARE WORKING TOWARDS PROGESSING THEIR TEACHING TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL

The Cecchetti Society Trust, UK generously makes an annual Study Bursary available to teachers in South Africa who wish to progress their teaching to the highest level.

  • The purpose of the bursary is to assist teachers who are studying towards Fellowship or Maestro Enrico Cecchetti Diploma.
  • At the discretion of an appointed Bursary Selection Panel, a bursary may be shared or granted to more than one applicant.
  • The Study Bursary honours the dedication to teaching, the promotion of the art form and the selfless investment in the Cecchetti Method by Diana Barker, an esteemed Cecchetti teacher, Chair of the Cecchetti Classical Ballet Faculty, ISTD between 1976-1990, and a founder member and Chair of The Cecchetti Society Trust 1978-1990.
  • The total monetary value of the Bursary is fixed by the Trust, and can be used for the cost of tuition, or the examination entry fee, or partly both, for either the Fellowship, endorsed by the ISTD, or the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma, certified by the CSSA.
FELLOWSHIP AND MAESTRO ENRICO CECCHETTI BURSARY APPLCATIONS FOR STUDY IN 2026
  • The Cecchetti Society Trust is inviting bursary applications for Fellowship and Maestro Enrico Cecchetti Diploma training/study in 2026.
  • Completed application forms are to be forwarded to the CSSA Council of Management no later than 1 March 2026.
FELLOWSHIP AND MAESTRO ENRICO CECCHETTI BURSARY APPLICATIONS FOR STUDY IN 2027
  • The closing date is 1st December 2026 for training/study to be undertaken in the following academic year. Completed application forms are to be forwarded to the CSSA Council of Management no later than 17 November 2026.
  • The application form and terms & conditions are available directly from CSSA HQ and on the CSSA website.
  • An appointed bursary selection panel will review applications.

The Council of Management expresses enormous gratitude to the Cecchetti Society Trust for the magnanimous financial assistance offered to CSSA teachers, and likewise thanks Ms. Diane van Schoor for her efforts on behalf of the South African membership.