Who we are
Since 2009, we’ve been on a beautiful mission – creating a place where every child feels they belong, where discipline meets joy, and where Russian ballet tradition meets individual dreams. What started as Yana’s passion for sharing the Vaganova method has grown into a thriving community where students don’t just learn to dance – they discover who they can become.
Inspiring dreams, one dancer at a time
Our mission is to inspire each of our students to achieve their own ballet dream. We pass on our knowledge, expertise and the Vaganova ballet technique, ensuring each student has thorough training in Russian ballet and dance – taking this expertise into their dance technique and their everyday lives.
At RSB, we believe every child has their own unique ballet story waiting to unfold. Whether your little one dreams of dancing on grand stages or simply wants to move with grace and confidence, we’re here to nurture that dream with patience, expertise, and genuine care.
Where inspiration meets excellence
Our vision is to see students grow – developing ballet skills and thriving in a nurturing atmosphere that encourages their inspiration, technique and art to soar to new heights.
We envision a world where our students carry the gifts of ballet far beyond our studio walls – walking taller, moving with purpose, and approaching life’s challenges with the discipline, determination, and dedication they’ve learned through dance. Every plié, every port de bras, every moment of growth in our studios contributes to raising confident, graceful human beings who shine in whatever path they choose.
The soul of everything we do
Our vision is to see students grow – developing ballet skills and thriving in a nurturing atmosphere that encourages their inspiration, technique and art to soar to new heights.
We envision a world where our students carry the gifts of ballet far beyond our studio walls – walking taller, moving with purpose, and approaching life’s challenges with the discipline, determination, and dedication they’ve learned through dance. Every plié, every port de bras, every moment of growth in our studios contributes to raising confident, graceful human beings who shine in whatever path they choose.
More than a method - it's a tradition of excellence
When Agrippina Vaganova developed her revolutionary method in Russia over 90 years ago, she created something magical – a way of teaching ballet that honors the whole dancer. Today, this same method that has produced some of the world’s most celebrated ballet stars lives and breathes in our Johannesburg studios.
At RSB, we don’t just teach the Vaganova method – we live it. Every plié, every port de bras, every correction given with love carries forward this incredible legacy, ensuring your child receives authentic Russian ballet training right here in South Africa.
Where every student is seen, valued, and celebrated
Step into any RSB class and you’ll feel it immediately – the warmth, the individual attention, the way each student is truly seen. Our approach isn’t about creating cookie-cutter dancers; it’s about discovering and nurturing the unique spark within each child.
Whether your little one is naturally graceful or still finding their coordination, introverted or bursting with energy, we meet them exactly where they are. Our teachers don’t just see technique – they see dreams, personalities, and endless potential.
Masters of their craft, devoted to your child
Behind every beautiful movement you see in our studios stands a teacher whose expertise runs deep. Our carefully selected faculty brings years of professional training, many with direct connections to Russia’s most prestigious ballet institutions.
But here’s what makes them truly special – they combine this incredible expertise with genuine love for teaching children. They understand that building a strong dancer means building a confident, disciplined, joyful human being.
Where serious training meets joyful discovery
Our studios aren’t just beautiful – they’re purpose-built for excellence. From our professional Harlequin flooring that protects growing bodies to our full walls of mirrors that help perfect technique, every detail supports your child’s journey.
Yet within these professional walls, we’ve created something wonderfully warm – a place where children feel safe to take risks, make mistakes, and discover what they’re truly capable of achieving.
We strongly believe in the tight relationship between our school’s core principals and the student’s success. At the RSB our core values, ensure valuable lessons are learned through dance yet, provide lessons for all aspects of life as our students grow.
The heart behind every plié, every dream, every breakthrough
When Yana Auger first stepped into a Russian ballet studio at just six years old, she couldn’t have imagined that her love for dance would one day create a home for hundreds of young dreamers in Johannesburg. But perhaps that’s exactly what makes her story so beautiful – it began with pure passion and has grown into something that touches lives every single day.
For over 30 years, Yana has dedicated her life to dance – first as a student in Russia, then honing her craft at prestigious institutions like the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, and now as the heart and soul of RSB. But what truly sets her apart isn’t just her incredible credentials or her mastery of the Vaganova method – it’s the way her eyes light up when she talks about her students, the genuine care she shows for every child who walks through our doors, and her unwavering belief that ballet can transform lives.
From those early days in Novosibirsk to founding RSB in 2009, Yana’s journey has been guided by one simple truth: when you combine authentic Russian ballet training with genuine love for each student, magic happens. Every day, she brings that same infectious enthusiasm that first drew her to ballet, creating an environment where children don’t just learn to dance – they learn to believe in themselves.
Her vision goes far beyond perfect technique (though that matters too!). Yana sees ballet as a gift that keeps giving – building confidence, discipline, grace, and joy that students carry with them long after they leave our studios.
“I believe every child has their own ballet dream waiting to unfold. My job is simply to help them discover it and give them the tools to make it bloom.” – Yana Auger