Lizé Mentz

Lizé, a long-limbed 19yr old, joined JBA from the Joffrey Ballet Trainee Program Chicago, USA. She grew up on a small farm outside Pretoria in South Africa where her mother trains horses.
She started modern dancing at the age of 9, but ballet was only introduced to her at the age of 12. Under the passionate guidance of Tanya Fourie from Leap for Joy Dance, she fell in love with the beauty and expression of ballet. She completed the advanced Royal Academy of Dance syllabus at Southdowns Dance Academy under the very capable and technical hands of Debra Gush. After entering an international ballet competition, she received an invitation to join the Joffrey Academy of Dance in Chicago.
Living in a big city was a wonderful experience, and it opened her eyes to all that ballet had to offer. Here, for the first time, she could see major companies and star dancers performing, and all this furthered her determination to continue on to a professional career.

Lizé: “I knew that I wanted to continue my training at JBA after seeing Dance Europe’s film of the rehearsals for their production of Cinderella. I felt inspired by the passion, artistry and attention to detail of JBA and I feel that JBA will help me develop and grow into a dancer who can reach the audience through artistry and passionate storytelling. Furthermore, the support and career guidance of the teaching faculty is invaluable.”

Lizé has always been interested in European ballet companies; the Northern Ballet Company in England is one she feels showcases the versatility of ballet’.
As for favourite choreographers, the works of Crystal Pite, Wayne McGregor, and Kenneth MacMillan have always moved her because each create their own physical language. Having grown up in the outdoors, Lizé is a nature lover but does love reading as a hobby.
Let’s hope that here in the heart of Europe, this young South African will find her dancing future.

©Filip Van Roe