ABOUT US

We are a South African Ballroom and Latin American Dance couple. We've been dancing together since March, 2025. We are trained by some of the most prestigious trainers in Pretoria, South Africa.

We aspire to become South African 10-Dance Champions (SA Champions in both Ballroom and Latin American Dance) under the South African Dance Teachers Association (SADTA).

We wish to compete internationally, with our sights currently set on competing at the 100th Blackpool Dance Festival at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, UK.

In 2025, our first year of dancing together, we achieved SADTA Provincial and National Prestige Awards. We aim to achieve Protea Colours for both styles of dance in coming years.

When we had our first try-out in March, 2025, the magic was immediately tangible. From our very first Waltz, our movement together was effortless and beautiful, and the potential for this partnership was evident not only to us, but also to our trainers, Gary de Beer and Hayley Lamont.

Ballroom Standard dancing is a category of partner dances performed in formal ballroom settings, emphasizing elegance, precision, and smooth, flowing movement across the floor. It typically includes five dances: the Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep. Danced in closed hold, Standard ballroom focuses on posture, frame, musicality, and coordinated movement between partners, creating the impression of effortless glide and harmony.

Latin American dancing is a vibrant category of partner dances known for rhythm, energy, and expressive body movement. It typically includes the Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, and Jive. Unlike Standard, these dances emphasize dynamic hip action, sharp footwork, and expressive interpretation of the music, often showcasing playful interaction and dramatic storytelling between partners.

Morgan and Ryan compete and perform in both of these dance styles.

Follow along on their journey as they share their passion for dance and movement!

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The Team

Dancer

Ryan Kichenbrand

Ryan has both a love and passion for Ballroom & Latin American dancing. He has been dancing for 23 years and teaching for 19. As the co-owner of Dance Equation studio, he really does get to live out his passion for dance, people & teaching. Competing at SADTA competitions, he has achieved various accomplishments like: 4 times undefeated Ballroom Champion in Gauteng, 2nd & 3rd Place in South African Championships and many more.

He finds himself at home on the floor where his inner child gets a chance to show itself without any inhibitions.

Dancer

Morgan-Leigh Nortjé

Morgan fell in love with Latin and Ballroom dance when she visited her grandmother, age 12, and watched an episode of Strictly Come Dancing. When she was 15, she took up social dancing as a sport for 3 months, but was not able to continue due to financial constraints. When she was 19, she took a job teaching social dancing and learned on the go. Finally, in 2013, she decided to take up competitive dancing under Hayley's tutelage.

Ballroom Coach

Gary de Beer

Gary de Beer is a Fellow in American Rhythm and Smooth and an Associate in International Standard. He is the co-owner of Dance Equation and currently serves as Gauteng Vice Chair for SADTA International, American, and Pro-Am, as well as National Vice Chair for Pro-Am. A key leader in South African dance, Gary brings over 22 years of teaching experience and a deep commitment to developing dancers at all levels.

A two-time SADTA South African American Smooth Professional Champion, Gary combines competitive excellence with technical expertise and a passion for mentorship. His strong presence in both the Professional and Pro-Am circuits reflects his dedication to growing the sport and raising the standard of ballroom dance nationwide. Known for his integrity, professionalism, precision, and leadership, Gary continues to inspire dancers through performance, coaching, and adjudicating.

Latin Coach

Hayley Lamont

Hayley has been dancing since the age of 4. Her dancing career began with ballet and then moved on over the years to Freestyle, Latin American and Ballroom. She lived in London for 3 years training with some of the top trainers in the world and has been back in South Africa since 2004 passing on her knowledge, experience and passion for dance.
Her achievements and qualifications include:
• Juvenile, Junior, Youth and Adult South African Latin American Champion
• 10 years of International Competitive experience
•Semi Finalist in under 21 British Championships
• South African Freestyle Champion
• Participation in Stage Productions (Including Freestyle, Hip Hop, Rock n’
Roll, Latin American and Ballroom)
• Winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2006
• Runner up in Strictly Come Dancing 2008
• Freestyle World Championship Adjudicator 2008
• 2008 Rumba in the Jungle Professional Ballroom Champion
• 2008 South African Ballroom Showdance Champion
• Trained many Freestyle South African Champions and Runners up in the Freestyle World Championships
• 2012 Achieved choreography award at the American Dance Awards
• Took part in Strictly Come Dancing 2013
• Choreographer on So You Think You Can Dance 2013
• Fellow qualified under the SADTA (South African Dance Teacher’s Association) in Freestyle, Licentiate Qualified under the IDTA.
• Licentiate qualified under the SADTA & IDTA in Latin American and Ballroom
• Full Time Freestyle, Latin American and Ballroom teacher for 17 years
• Examiner for the SADTA in Freestyle, Ballroom and Latin American
• Part of the SADTA Teacher Training Body
• Part owner of the Beverley Hammond Dance School
• Freestyle World Championship Adjudicator