The Northmead resident, and owner of Henri Noppé School of Dance, died on June 3, after a three-year battle with cancer.
He died at his home, alongside his wife of 40 years, Pamela.
Henri was born in Bloemfontein on January 29, 1951.
He attended Dagbreek Laerskool in Welkom and Helpmekaar Hoër Seun Skool, in Braamfontein.
After completing his school career, Noppé enlisted in the South African Navy, based in Simonstown, where he served for a year.
He was destined to spend the rest of his life on stage and imparted the love he had for dance to thousands of children and adults alike.
Henri’s love for dance could be seen the moment you walked into his home, with photographs of dancers lining the walls of his abode and studio.
According to Pamela, “dance was also [Henri’s] mistress”.
“He was a wonderful husband and he will be sorely missed,” she added.
“He was one of those men – I was fortunate; he never ever forgot an anniversary, with flowers, presents — even on his death bed, he actually bought me a present.
“He was really a very special person.
“Henri was a good family man, he enjoyed his children, but his passion was his studio, which he never neglected.”
According to the Joburg Ballet Facebook page, Henri proved himself as a professional performer in dance in numerous musical theatre productions, operas and corporate productions on stage and television, for various companies and choreographers.
The messages said Henri danced with the then PACT Ballet Company for numerous years where after he performed as soloist for the Mayo Modern Dance Ensemble.
Since 1983, Henri choreographed and directed various productions for stage and television, including Cliff Richard – The Musical, Joe Masielle Not at the Palace, Alabama (1983 – 2007) and ATKV Crescendo Gala Productions (1988-1998).
During December 2002 and 2004, they said, Henri directed Navidad Nuestra for Johannesburg’s The Dance Factory – a production he directed various times in South Africa and in Canada.
His dancers performed at the FNB Vita Dance Umbrella and The National Festival of the Arts in Grahamstown, as guest performers for the Johannesburg Youth Ballet.
He lectured at the then Pretoria Technikon (now Tshwane University of Technology) and the Sibikwa Community Theatre; in 1993, he was invited to conduct classes for the West Coast Cecchetti Society in Vancouver, Canada.
During 1993 and 1997, Henri choreographed The Vancouver Island Dancers and conducted various contemporary dance workshops in Vancouver.
In 1999 he was presented with the Greater Benoni Mayoral Achievers Award for his contribution to the development of the performing arts, said the Facebook page.
These are but a few of his achievements in an illustrious career.
The Northmead resident was also prolific in Benoni, having opened his first studio in his 20s, at the corner of Prince’s Avenue and Voortrekker Street. He later moved it to the Cranbourne Centre, after which he moved it to his Northmead residence.
One of his former pupils, Marianne Ferreira, said she admired Henri’s ability as a dancer.
“Busting our buts, that what he was,” she said when speaking of Henri as a teacher.
“He worked us hard, he was a brilliant teacher.
“He had good basics of dance and I don’t think there is anyone who has the passion he had for dance.”
Pamela said Henri used to create birthday cards which he would hand to his pupils on their birthday.
Justin said his father always went the extra mile with his pupils, family and friends. .
Henri’s memorial service was to be held at the Northfield Methodist Church on June 10, at 1pm.
He leaves behind his wife, Pamela, and two sons, Brett (35) and Justin (33) Noppé.
