Our Story
Step of Life
Entering its 35th year, Pas de Vie Ballet takes its name from the French for "step of life," a phrase that not only points to a guiding belief in its art form's vitality, but also in its role in the lives of its dancers. Indeed, Pas de Vie's artistic director, Natalia Botha, and its ballet master, Charles Hagan, are devoted to dance—both enjoyed professional careers before turning their focus to choreography and instruction. Today, their company shares the joy of classical dance with the Tallahassee community, hosting outreach programs for local youth and staging sparkling productions ranging from short pieces to an annual take on The Nutcracker.
Natalia Botha, born in Pretoria, South Africa, began her training in Canada as a chosen scholar at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. At age 11, she was awarded a full scholarship for the summer to attend the Joffrey Ballet School in New York. Also on scholarship, and under the continued tutelage of her mother, Gwynne Ashton, Ms. Botha studied at the National Academy of Arts in Champaign, Illinois, training both in the United States and abroad with many world-renowned teachers of this century. She soon became a member of the National Ballet of Illinois.
To further her career, Ms. Botha joined the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in 1976 under the direction of Patrick Frantz and later Patricia Wilde. During her tenure, she danced many soloist and principal roles of varied repertoire from the great classics (Giselle, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker) to original contemporary works by Alvin Ailey, Agnes de Mille, Domi Reiter Soffer and George Balanchine.
Currently Ms. Botha teaches, directs and choreographs locally for Pas de Vie Ballet. Ms. Botha and her husband Charles Hagan staged Peter and the Wolf for Chattanooga Ballet in 2008. Most recently, and also for the Chattanooga Ballet they staged an original work, Totemotion.
NAtalia Botha
Ballet School Director
CHArles Hagan
Ballet Company Director
Charles Hagan began his early training with Sylvia Waters in his hometown of Evansville, Indiana. At age 16, he was awarded a full scholarship to attend the National Academy of Arts under the direction of Michael Maule. After graduating from the Academy, Mr. Hagan joined the National Ballet of Illinois and in a short time became soloist.
In 1978 he joined Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and in 1980 was named soloist. Because of his versatility in dance, mime, makeup and dramatic ability, Mr. Hagan was promoted to principal character dancer in 1985 – a title created especially for him. During his tenure he danced all the principal character roles along with many leading classical roles ranging from the “Blue Bird Pas de Deux” (Sleeping Beauty), “Pas de Trois” (Swan Lake), “Peasant Pas de Deux” (Giselle) and a variety of Balanchine repertoire.
On the administrative side, Mr. Hagan served locally, statewide and nationally for the American Guild of Musical Artists and as company manager for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre when they toured.
In addition to his position as Ballet Company Director for Pas de Vie Ballet, he teaches locally, choreographs for and serves as ballet master for Ballet Theatre South and enjoys a second career as a piano technician.