Meet Danielle Battista, the new School Director of Razzamataz Performing Arts Dubai. We caught up with Danielle as she prepares to open the first Razzamataz school in the Middle East this January. Danielle shares her inspiring journey from performer to lawyer to entrepreneur, revealing how the performing arts gave her the confidence to keep pursuing her dreams and why Dubai is the perfect place to bring Razzamataz’s family-friendly ethos to life.
“Dubai is an exciting place to live where no dream feels too big, an ethos I share and one that I’m eager to cultivate in our students as we launch the very first Razzamataz here.”
In the beginning
Originally from Perth, Australia, Danielle has been performing since the age of five and didn’t leave her theatre school until she was 23.
“I started as a student, became a Teacher’s Assistant at 13, a Teacher at 15, and later the Head Dance Teacher and Choreographer,” Danielle explains. “That school was my second family for 18 years, and leaving to pursue a career in law was one of the hardest goodbyes of my life.”
It’s that same warmth and sense of belonging that drew Danielle to Razzamataz.
“The supportive and family-friendly atmosphere felt instantly familiar. I’ve danced and performed all my life, and the life skills I learned through the performing arts, such as confidence, teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills have been invaluable in my professional life as a lawyer.”
Learning life skills
Danielle says that the performing arts taught her some of the most important lessons she’s ever learned.
“Performing gave me confidence and strong public speaking skills, which later proved invaluable in the courtroom. It also taught me resilience and shaped me into the person I am today, lessons I continue to apply in every area of my life.”
Her experience in family law, where she represented parents in court, strengthened her belief in empathy, teamwork, and staying calm under pressure, all values she now brings to Razzamataz Performing Arts Dubai.
After several years as a lawyer, Danielle transitioned into more of a practice management role in a law firm and completed her Practice Management course where she was trained in efficient business and people management, small business marketing and finance. “I developed my business acumen through my experience in legal practice management, in addition to my career as a lawyer, my marketing degree and entrepreneurship studies at university,” she says. “But I always had this pull towards the arts and a dream of living in Dubai.”
The lightbulb moment
“Being a lawyer, I’ve always been a bit risk-averse, but I had always dreamed of running my own theatre school,” Danielle admits. “So when I saw the advert for the Razzamataz School Director role, it just made perfect sense. It combined everything I love, performing arts, business, management and children’s education, within a trusted and supportive larger network.”
On researching Razzamataz, Danielle discovered an organisation that matched her own values.
“I immediately felt the same family atmosphere that I’d loved for so many years in my theatre school in Australia. I was especially drawn to how Razzamataz uses performing arts to build children’s confidence, something that completely transformed my own life.”
Starting the journey
“The training week was absolutely amazing,” Danielle recalls. “I felt at home straight away. Talking to people at Head Office, who also came from a corporate and performance background, gave me so much confidence. The amount of knowledge within the Razzamataz network is incredible, and everyone was so welcoming and supportive.”
She was particularly inspired by how much business expertise is offered with every school operating with strong values, underpinned by exceptional branding and community engagement.
The Razzamataz ethos
Danielle’s mission is to bring everything that Razzamataz represents in the UK to Dubai including high quality performing arts education, fun, family, inclusivity, and supporting young people to be the best they can be.
“We want our students to thrive, not just as performers but as confident, capable individuals,” she says. “Our teaching approach builds creativity, teamwork, and resilience in a supportive and safe environment. We’re not about pressure or perfection, we’re about joy, growth, and self-belief.”
Building confidence and life skills
“What I really love about Razzamataz is its strong family ethos,” Danielle continues.
“When I was a child, I would have been overwhelmed in a strict environment. But with the right support, performing arts gave me the confidence to perform lead roles in musicals, to advocate in a courtroom and now to run this business. The life skills we teach through Razzamataz such as confidence, communication, resilience and teamwork will help our students thrive both on stage and in life.”
Connecting with the community
“Musical theatre in Dubai is still in its infancy, which makes this such an exciting time,” Danielle says. “We already have connections with top performers in London’s West End, one of whom will be attending our launch event on 10 January.”
Razzamataz Performing Arts Dubai also aims to become a valued part of the local community.
“We’ll be involved in local events and will celebrate cultural holidays, ensuring our curriculum is inclusive, respectful, and welcoming for everyone.”
Looking to the future
Razzamataz Performing Arts Dubai officially opens on January 10th with a special launch event offering free trial sessions for children. Families can discover what makes Razzamataz unique, from its nurturing ethos to its international opportunities, including performing in Disneyland Paris and in London’s Indigo by the O2 music arena.
“For me, Dubai feels like a place where dreams can truly come to life,” Danielle says. “The weather is amazing, the people are all so kind, and there’s such a positive, can-do attitude. It’s a place which complements our mission for our students to feel that they can reach for the stars, because no dream is too big in Dubai.”
Curious to find out more about international and UK Razzamataz opportunities
Book a Discovery Den: https://www.razzamataz.co.uk/discovery-dens/
