Iain MacDonald

I have been a part of a professional ballet company for 32 years, during which I worked through the ranks becoming a principal dancer followed by Ballet Master and currently the Artistic Director.

I have a passion for working with both the professional and pre professional students motivating and inspiring them to become better dancers as well as artists. I love to take the time to express the importance of not just focusing on the technique but interpreting the story and emotion of the work.

I love spending time with my family and friends which is more often than not spent with the sharing of meals filled with fun and laughter.

I am currently the founder member and Artistic Director of Joburg Ballet, South Africa. I was a principal dancer and performed with PACT Ballet as well as the South African Ballet Theatre, now known as Joburg Ballet. 

i have performed the principal role in all the classics from Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty and Romeo and Juliet to name a few. I also had the privilege's of performing Balanchine's Agon, Who Cares, Rubies and Ballet Imperial. I have been blessed to work with great choreographers such as Ronnie Hynd on The Merry Widow, Andre Prokovsky in The Nutcracker,  David Bintley in Still Life at the Penguin Cafe as well as Val Caniparolis Lambarena.

I have coached, rehearsed, staged and produced many of the great classics as well as choreographed two full length ballet's on Joburg Ballet namely Cinderella and Snow White.

The Joburg Ballet repertoire is varied and comprises of the classics as well as neo classical and contemporary works.

We have three development schools which we teach ballet to the disadvantaged members of our community as well as a school for talented students which leads into our Academy known as the Joburg Ballet Academy.

I teach company class and the students of the Joburg Ballet Academy and also run a very successful adult ballet class where I am inspired by their determination and passion for dance.

The arts in South Africa has been through tough times and we can hold our heads up high as we celebrate our 23rd year of existence this year.

After matriculating I joined PACT Ballet and was taught and learnt the skills and experience i carry with me today. I have been a guest teacher and judge for a number of ballet competitions both locally and internationally. 

I am a qualified personal trainer through Reebok fitness education.