Umdloti ballerina Shiloh Godefroy is dancing her way onto some of the world’s most prestigious stages.

This year alone, the 16-year-old completed a five-week summer course at the School of American Ballet in New York and claimed the advanced senior solo title at the Disney International Dance Competition in Orlando.

Her time in America is the latest in a series of international trips to compete and expand her ballet repertoire.

“Dance has been a part of my life from the very first moment I stepped into a studio. For me, it is far more than learning the steps – it is a way to express feelings, tell stories and connect with others through movement,” said Shiloh.

“Each class inspires me to improve, challenges me to grow and teaches me patience, discipline and resilience.”

Shiloh became a back-to-back age group world champion at the Dance World Cup in 2024 and 2025 and has also built up considerable stage experience. This year, she toured South Africa as part of the corps de ballet in Joburg Ballet’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, while also performing the Oompa Prima role. She has previously performed with both the South African Ballet Theatre and Mzansi Ballet.

She is home-schooled to accommodate her busy performance schedule, while also training for around 25 hours a week. Her coaches include Camille Bracher, Karen Beukes, Angela Malan, Michelle Lombaard Nesbitt and her mother, Nicole Godefroy.

“I have a close family who support me in everything I do and I love spending time with my dogs. Outside of the studio I also enjoy being in nature, spending time at the beach, reading and drawing,” she said.

Despite her demanding schedule, Shiloh remains firmly focused on her ultimate goal of dancing professionally.

“I hope to become a professional ballet dancer, performing on international stages while bridging the elegance of classical technique with the excitement of modern expression.”