FAD Instructors:

Ferdinand

Ferdinand completed his diploma in Musical Theatre at Pretoria Technikon in 1999. After his studies he joined “African Footprint” for three years (704 performances) as part of the original cast, touring abroad to Atlanta, Georgia and performed at the “Royal Variety Performance” in 2000, London.

He has also performed for “Celebrity Cruise Lines” and “Princess Cruises” as singer/dancer and guest entertainer for two years. On Ferdinand’s return to South Africa he choreographed and starred in “Bestof the boys - Calendar Boys” as lead vocalist at the Performer Theatre, following he choreographed “Duke” for Tswane University of Technology (TUT) for their annual Dance Season in 2005. Other Shows include: “7’Tease Fever” “The Wizard of Oz” “Vodacom CEO Awards 2005” Fred Casely in “Chicago” the Musical “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” Galileo understudy in “We Will Rock You” and wowed audiences as the John Travolta character Tony Manero in the West End hit Musical “Saturday Night Fever”

He is proud to be part of the Department of Education’s board of Chief Examiners of dance. Ferdinand is co-owner and founder with his wife, Diani, of their entertainment company FADCreationS, which specializes in Production Management for School Shows, Workshops, running a Dance Studio and currently focusing on their Dance Instructional DVD’s.

Amelia

Amelia “Mills” grew up in a town called The Basin, in Victoria Australia. She started with gymnastics at a very early age and completed her (RAD)Royal Academy of Dance Ballet exams. Amelia has been trained extensively in jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop and cheerleading.

By the age of 16 “Mills” was dancing professionally at soccer games, basketball games, corporate functions and became a professional cheerleader for the Melbourne Tigers NBL (National Basketball League) AFL (Australian Football League) grand finals, TV commercials and interviews to name a few. She has danced with and for people such as Sue-Ellen Shook who was Bo Peep in the recent Moulin Rouge Film, Penny Higgs a finalist in ‘So You Think You Can Dance Australia’, alongside J West in 2003 and Rosemary Simms choreographer and director of Dancers Edge PTY LTD and Cheerleading Victoria.

She has just come back from America (The Australian Outlaws) where she competed in the World Cheerleading Championships. In 2006 Amelia did her first year in Bachelor of Contemporary Arts Major in Dance at Deakin University Melbourne Australia. Mills is passionate about dancing and teaching and strive to pass on her experience and talent.

Ashley

Ash has graced the stages of South Africa on numerous occasions in productions such as Fame, Chicago, African Footprint, The Johannesburg Pantomimes, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Buddy Holly,We Will Rock You, etc etc, the list is endless!

He started dancing at 8 years and since then he hasn’t stopped. Recently he was seen leaping about on national television in the premier season of So, You Think You can Dance and triumphantly made it to the top 3.

Unlike most male dancers Ash dances with rugged charm and would like nothing more than to see more “oaks” learning how to boogie.

Carlo

Carlo McFarlane, the consummate performer, is a dancer, actor and singer. His passion for dance was birthed at his local church and it wasn't long thereafter that his ability propelled him onto stages around South Africa.

Carlo's break into television came as the heartthrob 'Shaun', in the youth soap Backstage. He soon featured in the television series Villa Rosa and played the role of 'Malcolm', a hotshot lawyer in the popular South African television series Muvhango. In 2004 he won the award for Best Performance by a Newcomer at the Naledi Theatre Awards for his portrayal of the lead 'Tyrone' in Fame – The Musical. Carlo was featured in Harry Sideropoulos's smash hit Big Band Blast and continued to impress audiences as 'Billy' in Janice Honeyman's Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Other productions Include the sell out rock musical We Will Rock You (South Africa and New Zealand) and the stage production Beautiful Creatures. Carlo recently played the lead character “Ren” in the International production of “Footloose”. He is currently a presenter on the Christian Magazine program Life 24/7.

Carlo is a writer, director and choreographer and has staged a number of original productions. He is a director for the 4Change Foundation, an organization committed to bringing about positive change in communities.

Diani

Diani began her career with the South African Ballet Theatre, performing in ballets such as SWAN LAKE, THE NUTCRACKER GISELLE, CARMEN, LES SYLPHIDES, COPPELIA and SLEEPING BEAUTY.

In 2003 she joined the Fantastic Flying Fish Dance Company with the production GRASS GARDENS, followed by the second season of BIG BAND BLAST. She joined the cast of CHICAGO-The Musical in 2005 and also Janice Honeyman's GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS.

She later performed in the Queen musical WE WILL ROCK YOU, as well as its New Zealand Tour in 2007. Diani played the role of Gloria in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE and appeared in THE KING AND I in 2008. She joined the second season of CHICAGO-The Musical in 2008.

Diani also performs at various corporate events and teaches dance on a freelance basis. She's studying towards a BCom Marketing degree and is co-owner of the performing arts and events company FADCreationS.

Rampai

Rampai started dancing in 1993 and while with Mmabana foundation took part in numerous theatre and dance productions as dancer and choreographer. He is also a founder member of a community arts group “D & T Theatre Projects” which one best contemporary dance ensemble during the 1995 FNB Dance Umbrella, fringe category.Rampai studied at Tswane University of Technology (TUT) completing his Musical Theatre Diploma with Jazz and Tap as his passions.

As a professional performer he travelled across the globe with shows like “African Moves” Australia,“Vibrating Africa” Europe, “African Footprint” UK, USA & Europe. Corporate functions include “Coca Cola” and “Bidvest” only to name a few. In 2009 Rampai featured in the Paramount Pictures film “The curious case of Benjamin Button”

He has also taken the roles of Dance teacher, choreographer, director and producer for the “National Department of Arts and Culture” and “Africa Diaspora Conference” Rampai teaches part time at TUT, Pro Arte Alphen Park and National School of the Arts (NSA) He has recently started his own company which will provide entertainment services for corporate and public sectors.

Timothy

After graduating from the National School of the Arts where Timothy majored in Drama he trained as a dancer at the Tswane University of Technology. He joined the PACT Contemporary Dance Company from 1992 to 1995. After leaving PACT Timothy has continiued to freelance as a dancer and choreographer. He has worked with dance companies such as “Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative” “Playhouse Dance Company” “Free Flight Dance Company” “Fantastic Flying Fish Dance Company” “Vusa Dance” and “Wilda Dance” in Copenhagen. Timothy has worked extensively as a corporate Choreographer including productions for “Microsoft” “Barclays Bank Dubai” “Vodacom End Year” “Clover” and “Alexander Forbes” His Musical Theatre credits include: “Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat” “Jesus Christ Superstar” “Hair” “Goldilocks” “Aladdin” and Peter Pan” Recently Timothy has choreographed two contemporary works “Angst” for Mzanzi Dance Theatre and “With Stones” for the Tswane Dance Theatre.