The Space For Creative Excellence
John Linden
Creative Director
John Linden began his dance training in 1976 in O’okiep, Namaqualand, under Alfred Hinkel, later joining Dial Dance Company and performing freelance across South Africa. A founding member of Jazzart Dance Theatre in 1986, he excelled as a performer, teacher, and choreographer, earning five FNB Vita Choreographic Awards. Notable works include Water from an Ancient Well (2000) and contributions to celebrated productions like Cargo and Rain in a Dead Man’s Footprints. From 1996, he directed Jazzart’s Dance Joint program and shaped its growth until 2010, collaborating with prominent artists like Mark Fleischman and Lara Foot.
Returning to O’okiep, Linden co-founded Garage Dance Ensemble with Hinkel, fostering local talent and creating acclaimed works. In 2019, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award and directed the award-winning documentary Die Dans van My Heenkoms. Linden continues as artistic director of Garage Dance Ensemble, enriching Namaqualand’s cultural scene.
Alfred Hinkel
Mentor
In 1976, Alfred Hinkel founded the Namakwalandse Dans Geselskap in Nababeep and O’okiep, launching a prolific career in dance. He co-founded the Dial Dance Company with Dianne Sparks in Windhoek before moving to Cape Town in 1981. In 1986, Hinkel acquired and transformed Jazzart Dance Studios into Jazzart Dance Theatre, one of South Africa’s leading performing arts institutions. He also co-founded Durban-based companies Phenduka Dance Theatre and Siwela Sonke in the early 1990s.
As Jazzart’s artistic director (1986–2010), Hinkel made groundbreaking contributions to training, performance, and socio-political advocacy in dance. His work earned him ten choreographic awards and seven major honors, including the 1997 Standard Bank Special Award and the 2015 Arts and Culture Trust Lifetime Achievement Award. Returning to O’okiep in 2010, Hinkel co-founded Garage Dance Ensemble, continuing to train dancers and create innovative works. Celebrated for his visionary leadership and transformative teaching, Hinkel remains a cornerstone of South African dance.
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Byron Klassen
Founder Member & Artistic Director Designate
Byron, a founding member of the Garage Dance Ensemble (2011), has emerged as a distinguished dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Born in Vier Kamp, O’okiep, and raised in Eerste River, Cape Town, he studied Dance Studies in high school and briefly worked with Namjive and Dance For All before joining Garage Dance Ensemble. Mentored by John Linden and Alfred Hinkel, Byron became a key creative force in the ensemble’s productions and teaching methodology.
He has taught across all thirteen Western Cape Dance Focus Schools, at Dance Umbrella workshops, and for The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative. His choreographic works include I Don’t, I Can’t, I Won’t and Elk Een, as well as the acclaimed Klomp Goed in My Tuin (2019). Byron’s 2021 film, Gat Innie Grond, Wond in My Siel, explores Namaqualand’s socio-cultural landscape and has been recognized for its artistic impact. Winner of the 2017 Arts and Culture Trust Impact Award, Byron is poised for leadership in South African dance.
Faroll Coetzee
Dancer/Photographer/Editor
Faroll, a native of Vier Kamp in O’okiep, began his dance training with Dawn Langdown at O’okiep High School and later at Garage Dance Ensemble under John Linden and Alfred Hinkel. At 17, he debuted at Johannesburg’s Market Theatre, later earning acclaim for his versatility in contemporary, tap, acrobatics, urban street, and traditional dance. Since joining Garage Dance Ensemble in 2014, he has performed in major productions like Dansmettieduiwels and Krummelpap, Afval en Sunlightseepbaddens, as well as international tours in Qatar, the USA, and Europe.
In 2017, Faroll ventured into filmmaking, becoming Garage’s official photographer and directing a 2022 adaptation of Krummelpap featured on DSTV’s Woordfees channel. Known for his improvisation and unique skills like stilt dancing and fire manipulation, Faroll exemplifies creative versatility. In 2023, he co-founded OFJ Media, providing photography, videography, and sound engineering services, expanding his artistic influence beyond dance.
Esmé Marthinus
Dancer/Actress
Born in 1976 in O’okiep, Northern Cape, Esmé began her dance journey with Dawn Langdown at Namjive, where she worked from 1997 to 2010, developing her teaching and performance skills. In 2013, she joined Garage Dance Ensemble as a wardrobe mistress and community dance teacher, later transitioning to acting with a breakout role in Mooigenoeg om Engels te Praat (2017).
Esmé has since become a cornerstone of Garage’s text-based productions, earning acclaim for her performances in Mooigenoeg om Engels te Praat, Krummelpap, Afval en Sunlightseepbaddens, and STOF, the latter securing her a 2023 Fiesta nomination. She starred in Byron Klassen’s film Gat Innie Grond, Wond in My Siel and toured internationally, including a U.S. tour of Krummelpap (2023) and European tours with Robyn Orlin (2024).
Esmé’s evolution from community dance to global acclaim highlights her exceptional versatility and commitment to the arts.
Al-Jerreau Richards
Finance & Marketing
Born in Nababeep, Northern Cape, Al-Jerreau graduated from Concordia High School in 2012 and joined Garage Dance Ensemble in 2023 as the NAC Help Desk representative. Collaborating with Alfred Hinkel, he assisted artists in the Nama-Khoi region with funding applications, enabling successes like a fledgling Sanddrift arts organization securing support.
Al-Jerreau’s role quickly expanded to managing Garage’s funding applications, securing grants from the NAC and Goethe-Institut in 2023. Additionally, he assumed responsibility for social media marketing, financial administration, and creating Garage’s widely praised new website.
His diverse skill set and commitment have made Al-Jerreau an indispensable asset to the ensemble, significantly contributing to its operations and outreach. Through his administrative expertise and innovative contributions, he supports the organization’s growth and ongoing success in the arts sector.
Georgia Julies
Dancer
Georgia, a Vredendal native, discovered her passion for dance while studying it in high school, where she first encountered Garage Dance Ensemble. Inspired by their work, she joined the company as a trainee in 2021, undergoing three years of rigorous training that honed her technical, performance, and artistic skills.
During this time, she gained extensive stage experience, performing alongside both students and professionals while also taking on technical responsibilities, particularly in sound operation. Her adaptability was evident during Garage’s USA tour hosted by Centerstage, and in 2024, she further established herself internationally on a two-part European tour, performing in Robyn Orlin’s How in Salt’s Desert Is It Possible to Blossom?
Under the mentorship of Byron Klassen and influenced by Robyn Orlin, Georgia has developed a commanding stage presence that resonates with audiences worldwide. Her remarkable progress and dedication have set her on a promising path toward a distinguished career in contemporary dance.
Jaime-Lee Hine
Dancer/Teacher
Jaime-Lee, born in Kuils River, Cape Town, graduated from the Western Cape Sport School in 2015 before joining Garage Dance Ensemble in 2018. Though she did not grow up in the Northern Cape, her maternal ties to the region have deeply connected her to its heritage.
A versatile and acclaimed performer, Jaime-Lee has gained nationwide recognition for her roles in productions such as Mooigenoeg om Engels te Praat, Krummelpap, Afval en Sunlightseepbaddens, and Gat Innie Grond, Wond in My Siel—both the film and the 2025 outdoor site-specific production. She has also excelled in Garage’s film projects and was a key part of the company’s successful 2023 Centerstage USA tour.
Beyond performing, Jaime-Lee has established herself as a dedicated teacher, achieving outstanding results with young students. From 2020 to 2023, she also managed Garage Dance Ensemble’s financial administration with great efficiency.
Although she left Garage in late 2023 to pursue freelance opportunities in Cape Town, she remained involved in short-term teaching and performance projects with the ensemble throughout 2024, leaving a lasting impact. In January 2025, she rejoined Garage Dance Ensemble as a full-time dancer and teacher, with a renewed focus on developing her choreographic voice.
Bertram Isak
Dancer/Actor
Born in O’okiep in 1985, Bertram began his dance and theatre training at O’okiep High School under Dawn Langdown. From 2008 to 2011, he performed with Langdown’s company, gaining experience in performance, choreography, and teaching, notably in the award-winning production Mense van Mense.
In 2022, Bertram joined Garage Dance Ensemble as a freelance performer, showcasing his talent as a dancer, singer, and actor in Stof (Dust) and Byron Klassen’s Babalas (Hangover). The following year, he traveled with Garage on their successful USA tour, serving as a repetiteur and leading traditional dance workshops.
In addition to his work with Garage, Bertram is a soloist in the O’okiep Male Voices choir and an expert teacher of Namastap, a traditional Namaqualand dance vernacular. His versatile artistry and dedication to preserving cultural heritage make him an invaluable contributor to the arts.
Manon-Lee Saal
Junior Dancer
Manon-Lee, a dedicated dancer from Vredendal, discovered her passion for contemporary dance through the Garage Dance Ensemble’s school outreach programs. After joining the ensemble as a trainee in 2022, she spent three years in intensive training, overcoming financial hardships with her family’s support. In 2025, she earned a professional contract, solidifying her place in South Africa’s contemporary dance scene.
Beyond performing in acclaimed productions like STOF, Dinto tsa Moya, and GAT, Manon has excelled as a dance instructor, connecting with students of all ages. Her resilience, artistry, and leadership mark her as a rising force in dance, embodying the Garage Dance Ensemble’s mission to develop future leaders in the field.
Keeanu Samuels
Junior Dancer
Keeanu Samuels, born in Okiep to performing artist parents, faced a difficult upbringing marked by instability and substance abuse. Dropping out of school at 13, he was left illiterate with limited opportunities.
In 2022, Byron Klassen recognized his talent and brought him into the Garage Dance Ensemble’s three-year training program. Initially struggling with discipline, Keeanu gradually transformed into a skilled, dedicated dancer. Beyond his artistic growth, he also overcame illiteracy, a testament to his perseverance and the program’s life-changing impact. His journey highlights the power of mentorship and structured support in reshaping lives.
