WATCH: From Rosettenville to the world stage: Jayden Samuels’ ballet journey
With years of dedication, a powerful support network and a dream in sight, Jayden is ready to make his mark.
Jayden Samuels (14), a talented ballet dancer from Rosettenville is set to shine on a global stage at the Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP) in Tampa, Florida, this month.
Currently a Grade Nine learner at the National School of Arts, his love for ballet began at the age of six, sparked by performances he saw on television. “I remember my dad recording a documentary on the Youth America Grand Prix competition and when I saw all the dancers going to the competition, I said that’s the stage I want to be on,” expressed Jayden.
A dream come true
Growing up in Rosettenville, he faced challenges that many young artists know too well – long journeys to training sessions in Braamfontein and Parkhurst and the constant worry of affording ballet gear and tuition.
@southern.courier Jayden Samuels (14), a talented ballet dancer from Rosettenville is set to shine on a global stage at the Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP) in Tampa, Florida, this month. Currently a Grade Nine learner at the National School of Arts, his love for ballet began at the age of six, sparked by performances he saw on television. “I remember my dad recording a documentary on the Youth America Grand Prix competition and when I saw all the dancers going to the competition, I said that’s the stage I want to be on,” expressed Jayden. A dream come true Growing up in Rosettenville, he faced challenges that many young artists know too well – long journeys to training sessions in Braamfontein and Parkhurst and the constant worry of affording ballet gear and tuition.
But for Jayden, every hurdle was simply another step in his dance, pushing him to work even harder. “My teachers and my parents have kept me motivated and have always supported my dream. Also having friends who have accomplished their goals has been inspiring for me because it has given me the courage to continue reaching for my dream despite the challenges,” said Jayden.
With the opportunity of a lifetime right at his fingertips, Jayden highlighted that he is feeling slightly overwhelmed but he is keeping himself composed and directing his focus on the end goal. “I try to ignore all the distractions or things that might hold me back, and just keep going,” said the talented dancer.
To qualify for the finals of this prestigious competition, Jayden had to compete last year in another ballet competition, the South African International Ballet Competition (SAIBC) in Cape Town. There, the young dancer was announced a finalist and was awarded a scholarship to attend YAGP.
The importance of great leadership
Jayden is currently under the mentorship of Mario Gaglione which has been described as a partnership that is meant to be. “I first met Jayden in 2020, when he was about eight. He was training at the Joburg Ballet School, and I had just joined the Joburg Ballet company. I immediately recognised a talented artist in the making,” shared Gaglione.
From that moment, a strong mentorship was formed. “When I met Mario I was very young and I didn’t really see what he saw in me but it’s been inspiring to have a talented mentor because there is more I can learn from him, especially with his experience,” added Jayden.
Jayden’s journey has been shaped by incredible mentors. While Gaglione has guided his choreography, Thabang Mabaso and Yana Auger have also played the most vital role in his training, refining his technique and pushing him to excel.
In addition to his incredible mentors, Jayden also looks up to Russian and Argentine ballet dancers, Vadim Muntagirov and Marianela Núñez.
His journey of preparation
With the kind of talent Jayden has, it requires much conditioning. “Because I go to the National School of Arts my typical training day includes dance training either before or after academic classes.”
Watch Jayden dance his way to the world stage:
His dance classes are usually two hours every day and either consist of physical training or learning theory about body composition and ballet terminology. With YAGP coming up, Jayden attends practice at Joburg Ballet for one and a half hours, being coached by either Mario or Thabang.
“After my session at Joburg Ballet, I go to the Russian School of Ballet which is usually two to three hours long,” said Jayden.
The young dancer is excited for the upcoming competition and highlighted that it is a dream come true. “Going to YAGP has been a dream of mine since the age of eight and I remember begging my ballet teacher and she said ‘no’ simply because I was not ready at the time but now I am,” expressed Jayden.
Although there is much excitement, preparing for the competition has been an important part of the journey. “I believe with consistency and staying focused, I am ready,” shared Jayden. He does regular stretches to keep his body alive even when he feels exhausted.
His advice to other young dancers or athletes is, “Just keep going no matter what. Sometimes it will be too far to get to practice or your gear might be too expensive but don’t let stop you.”
“It’s about having the right mindset and staying consistent or else it will start to feel like a chore,” said Jayden.
His mother, Carmen Samuels shared her sentiments about her son: “We are very proud of him. We also want to thank God and the community of Joburg Ballet for always supporting him. Despite us having very little and going through many challenges, it is amazing to see Jayden persevering and having the kind of support he has.”
Support his dream
Jayden hopes to get into a school overseas to continue growing as a dancer and ultimately becoming a principal dancer which is the highest rank and then coming back to South Africa to train other dancers – which he hopes will be a full circle moment for him.
Preparing for the YAGP comes with significant financial hurdles, but the community has rallied to support the cause. In March 2025, Mario launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to help cover the expenses of flights, accommodation, and visa fees. With a fundraising goal of R90 000, the campaign has already raised over R34 000 from 39 generous donors, showing widespread support for Jayden’s journey.
This initiative is not just about raising funds – it’s a celebration of talent and the power of collective action. “We can never thank everyone enough, but we are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support from close friends and people of all ages who are cheering for Jayden with such optimism. We hope all our donors feel connected to this journey, witnessing Jayden’s performances and shining on stage as only he can,” Mario expressed with heartfelt appreciation.
For aspiring dancers across South Africa, Jayden’s story is a beacon of hope. It demonstrates that with hard work, raw talent, and a supportive community, dreams can come true. His performance at the YAGP will not only shape his own future but also inspire others to chase their passions, no matter the challenges they face.
To support Jayden Samuels visit their BackaBuddy campaign link here.
For more information, contact 072 988-0619 or 071 248 5683.
