My name is Paige Sundelson, and I am the founder and owner of Soul Dance Studio, based in Glenhazel, Johannesburg. In the mornings, I teach at King David Pre-Primary Victory Park, and in the afternoons I run my studio, training dancers of all ages. I am also a qualified Barre instructor and am currently completing my DanceCor Associate examinations, further strengthening my professional qualifications and expanding the range of training I can offer. Alongside this, I am in my third year of Psychology, with the goal of qualifying as an educational psychologist. I also studied Education at Wits University. My unique background allows me to combine technical training with a deep focus on confidence, resilience, and child development.
My dance journey has been shaped by years of training. Growing up, I was part of the Jozi Youth Dance Company, and I later spent a year in Israel with the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, where I gained invaluable experience as both a performer and a teacher. With over six years of teaching experience, I am passionate about using dance as a tool for empowerment, discipline, and joy. People often describe me as a “machine” because of my relentless dedication, balancing nursery teaching, psychology studies, and building a new studio seven days a week.
I opened Soul Dance Studio in April 2025, and in just a few months we have grown to over 130 students. Our dancers have already competed in international competitions, including one in Birmingham, UK. We offer a wide range of styles—ballet, contemporary, modern, lyrical, jazz, hip hop, body conditioning, tumbling, and acrobatics. The studio balances high-performance training and technical excellence with an atmosphere of fun, friendship, and belonging.
What sets Soul Dance apart is our belief that every dancer deserves the chance to shine on stage. Whether a student is competitive or simply passionate, each child is given an opportunity to perform, build confidence, and grow. I work to unlock the potential within every dancer, recognising that each child is unique and capable.
In today’s world, children are overwhelmed by social media pressures, body-image concerns, and bullying. At Soul Dance, we provide a safe space to disconnect from phones, reconnect with themselves, and express individuality. Dance becomes their voice—a way to tell stories of pain, resilience, and hope. One of my most recognised works, Hurricane, together with We Will Rise Again, portrayed through movement the devastation of October 7th, showing how dance can unite a community when words fall short.
The studio itself reflects my commitment to excellence. I invested in professional-standard facilities with sprung floors, mirrors, and barres to protect dancers and inspire growth. Children arrive with smiles and leave with bigger ones, proof that dance is not only hard work, but pure joy.
I believe I was nominated for this award because of the impact Soul Dance has made in such a short time—empowering young women, strengthening community, and creating a space where dance is more than steps: it is belonging, resilience, and joy. I would be a worthy winner because I am building not just a studio, but a movement that uplifts, inspires, and shapes the next generation.
My vision for the future is to keep growing both as a person and as a leader in the dance world. I plan to continue expanding my professional training, including completing my DanceCor and RAD Ballet qualifications, so that I can keep raising the standard of teaching at my studio.
For Soul Dance Studio, my dream is to build on what we have already achieved in such a short time. I want to grow the excellence of the studio, sending more students overseas to compete and represent South Africa, while also ensuring that every child, no matter their level, has a place to perform and shine. I believe dance should not only develop technical excellence, but also teach life skills like discipline, teamwork, and resilience. I want every child who walks into Soul Dance to leave not only a stronger dancer, but a stronger person.
A key part of my vision is expanding our outreach programme. We have already begun offering opportunities to girls who may not otherwise afford dance, and I want to grow this significantly. My hope is to take dance into underprivileged schools, giving children the chance to experience the joy, freedom, and discipline of dance.
In time, I would also like to start a youth company that is open to dancers from across South Africa, not only Soul Dance students. This company would bring together dancers from different studios, offering them the opportunity to collaborate, perform, and showcase the incredible talent that exists across the country. I would also invite choreographers from across South Africa to create pieces for the company, giving dancers the chance to learn from different styles, perspectives, and voices. This would not only develop their versatility, but also help build a stronger, more connected dance community nationwide.
For South Africa, I see Soul Dance as more than a studio. I see it as a way of strengthening communities and building resilience in the next generation. At a time when many families are immigrating, I want to show that South Africa can still be a place where young people thrive, where Jewish life can flourish, and where the arts can be a source of hope and pride. Based in Glenhazel, a Jewish neighbourhood, my studio already serves as a hub for young Jewish dancers while also welcoming children from diverse backgrounds. I want to keep growing this community, keeping people connected, and proving that there is a bright and creative future here.
Ultimately, my vision is simple but powerful: to keep building Soul Dance Studio as a space of excellence, inclusivity, and opportunity; to grow myself as a teacher, choreographer, and psychologist; and to help create a South Africa where every child who wants to dance can step on stage, shine, and be seen.
