Denise started dancing at the age of 5 and received extensive training in Tap, Ballet, Modern and Scottish dancing from an array of the finest teachers of the time – Isabelle Mayberry, Anna Nell, Marjorie Sternum, Poppy Frames and Jose Orlandini.

After matriculating in Gauteng and having qualified as a Tap, Modern and Ballet
teacher, Denise ran a successful and enterprising dance academy “The Turning
Point”, together with Rosemarie Middleton, an acclaimed Gauteng teacher. Denise
was the Ballet Mistress and shared the Tap and Modern commitments. The “Turning
Point” is still running successfully today, although under new direction. While still in
Gauteng, Denise was part of a team who started the “Roodepoort Dance Festival”
which too, continues to thrive to this day.

A move to Cape Town and her involvement with the W.P.D.T.A. led to her serving as
their Vice-Chairlady for two years, Chairlady for two years and then as Treasurer for another two years. Denise was actively involved in starting “The Autumn Dance Festival” in the Cape. This competition ran successfully for over ten years. In 2004 Denise, Diane Fincham and Janice Tighe founded the Theatre Dance Association, which is today run by Denise and Diane.

Denise taught Creative Theatre at Reddam House Constantia in the mornings for 3
years to the Pre-school children and has been teaching dance as a subject to the
foundation phase pupils since 2005.

After many years of teaching Tap, Modern, Creative Theatre as well as Musical
Theatre in the afternoons Denise today specializes in teaching Tap Dance.