. >> reporter: dirk badenhorst judges ballet internationally and organizes ballet competitions in south africa. he's pushing to bring more ballet teachers to soweto. >> are the conditions ideal to do what we are doing? no. is it the perfect way of doing it? no. but if we don't start somewhere, we're never going to have it. >> reporter: one of his recruits is maria de los angelas quintanilla-- known affectionately as miss maria-- an experienced ballet instructor from cuba. she arrived in south africa a few months ago and has already developed a strong bond with her students. i have always loved children, she says, but god didn't give me the chance to have my own. the talent is one thing. the physical ability is something else, she says. we need to give the children time to develop the skills as well as to demonstrate they have real talent. >> reporter: the truth is ballet has never been big in the black townships. there is zero history here-there were never any qualified teachers for one thing, but now there are. these are the first. the classes cost $10 a month, but if a family can't af