Meet the Team
Talia Schutte
Founder & PrincipalTalia began her ballet journey at just three years old through the Royal Academy of Dance, where she trained extensively and participated in examinations, festivals, and competitions throughout her formative years. A lifelong lover of the Arts and theatre, she has been inspired by numerous productions both locally and internationally, including performances in the United States and the United Kingdom.
In 2006, Talia earned her Honours in Advertising and Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and launched her career in the advertising industry. Through dedication and leadership, she progressed within the sector to Head of Design and was later further promoted to Retail Account Manager, gaining valuable business and strategic experience that would later support her entrepreneurial pursuits.
Her passion for dance education led her to complete the internationally recognised Royal Academy of Dance (CBTS) teaching qualification in 2011. That same year, she founded Firstpointe Dance & Wellness. What began as a small, heartfelt vision has grown into a thriving and respected studio known for its excellent results, nurturing environment, and highly qualified faculty.
Committed to continual professional development, Talia qualified as a BASI Pilates Mat teacher in 2012 through BASI Pilates. She further expanded her expertise in 2016 by completing certification in Progressing Ballet Technique, developed by Marie Walton-Mahon. Most recently, in 2022, she became a Brainwise Coaching Practitioner, deepening her ability to support students holistically—both physically and mentally.
Under Talia’s leadership, Firstpointe Dance & Wellness proudly participates annually in Royal Academy of Dance examinations and Class Awards, as well as the American Performance Awards. Most notably, four students were awarded partial scholarships to attend a prestigious summer school in New York City.
The studio hosts a biannual in-house ballet production, with recent performances including Artistic Expressions (2025), as well as audience favourites such as ‘Colours of the Wind’, ‘It’s a Wonderful World’, and ‘Alice in Wonderland’.
Firstpointe has also participated in the East Rand Dance Festival and NSDT badge tests, and had the honour of being selected to perform in Joburg Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker.
Through her dedication to excellence, education, and artistic expression, Talia continues to inspire young dancers to pursue their potential with discipline, creativity, and confidence.
Our Teachers
Angela Jones
Ballet and modern dance TeacherAngela is a registered RAD Advanced ballet teacher specialising in teaching students from Pre-Primary to Advanced 2 in classical ballet. Her expertise includes 9 years of teaching and running her own dance school as well as being qualified to train students in the A.I.D.T modern dance method.
She enjoys choreographing for competitions and the stage, and her past students have achieved high accolades at various Eisteddfods of the performing arts over the years. Angela is an ex-professional dancer with the State Theatre Ballet Company.
Her focus is on training to equip students with not only knowledge of the technique required for all forms of dance but also enforcing a love of performance for stage work, whilst allowing students to thrive to the best of their individual capabilities.
Angela completed the RAD Grade 8 Award with Distinction in 1999 as well as RAD Ballet Advanced examination in 1998, where she was a participant in the RAD Advanced Bursary Competition. She also participated in the RAD Ballet Solo Seal award in 2000.
Growing up, Angela loved partaking in the various modern dance & ballet Eisteddfods, achieving top Honours for performance in solos, duets, groups and repertoire sections. She wants to share the joy that she experienced performing on the stage with the new generation of dance students. Angela says that she “carries the discipline gained through my years of dance throughout everything that I do, and I hope to pass on this valuable life skill to all those I teach. I love what I do, I love my students and wouldn’t change this career for anything.”
Ballet and flamenco teacherJordyn Swart
Jordyn Swart has been dancing since the age of three, with a strong foundation in ballet, Spanish dance, and contemporary styles. She brings over six years of teaching experience, having worked at two dance studios as well as numerous public and private schools. Jordyn has taught a diverse range of students, from as young as three years old to adults aged 62, fostering a love of dance across all stages of life.
In 2021, Jordyn earned her teaching certificate with the American Academy of Ballet for their Performance Awards syllabus. She further advanced her qualifications in 2024 by becoming a certified ballet instructor with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), and in 2025 had the privilege of graduating in London. Jordyn’s passion for learning continues, as she is currently studying toward her Instructor de Baile qualification as a Spanish Dance Instructor.
Throughout her dancing career, Jordyn has participated in numerous dance festivals and competitions, including Chance to Dance, American Performance Awards, the Roodepoort Dance Festival, the Gauteng Dance Festival, and Concors, among others. As a teacher, she has not only performed at these events but has also choreographed both solo and group works for her students, all of which have been awarded gold distinctions.
Jordyn continues to actively dance and, most recently, performed in the Spanish Dance Society’s 60th Anniversary Show. She has a deep passion for teaching dancers of all ages and, in 2025, completed the RAD Silver Swans course, which qualifies her to teach older adults.
Jordyn finds great joy in witnessing her students’ growth and development and looks forward to inspiring and nurturing the dancers of Firstpointe.