26 July 2024 09:26

South African examiner, Dianne Cheesman FRAD passes away

We are deeply sad to learn of the passing of Dianne Cheesman yesterday after a long illness.

Dianne was a much-respected teacher and had been a member of the RAD's panel of examiners since 1983. She was both a standardisation and Solo Seal examiner and was exemplary in all aspects of the role. Despite her very difficult personal situation the last few years, she continued to be involved in examiner activities, meetings, and seminars and was marking filmed footage up to a few months ago.

Dianne trained under Majorie Sturman, graduating from the Johannesburg Art, Music, Ballet and Drama School. She danced with the PACT Ballet Company from the age of 17. She continued dancing professionally with the Cape Performing Arts Board, performing with them until 1973, before becoming a ballet teacher. She became the South African representative of the Executive Committee of the RAD in 1983.

In 2002 Dianne graduated from Durham University with a B.Phil. (Hons) degree in Ballet and Contextual Studies of Dance, and was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Dance in 2023.

Part of Dianne's great legacy in South African dance was starting the Cape Junior Ballet (formerly Cape Town Youth Ballet). Her former student, Mlindi Kulashe, won the Genée bronze medal in 2011 and now dances with Zürich ballet.