Carole Speirs - Director of Ballet 

Carole Speirs (ARAD Adv. T Dip) is a Dance Educator/Classical Tutor and an Examiner (Grades and Vocational levels) for the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). She is also the RAD Moderator for the AUT University Bachelor of Dance program.

New Zealand born and trained, Carole has gained a very wide range of teaching experience. Over many years she has taught young children through to tertiary level students in the private sector both open classical technique and syllabus classes.

Contracted to the Royal Academy of Dance Internationally, Carole has secured extensive experience as an examiner/assessor of student progress and ability. Of particular interest is the professional development of teachers of classical dance and Carole is often involved in the construction of new courses designed to assist teachers in furthering their knowledge and skill.  For many years Carole directed her own school, focussing at Vocational Level. Former students have had many special achievements including Royal Academy of Dance “Adeline Genee” gold and silver medals.

Carole has organised seminars for teachers and students and has also been a member of the faculty for RAD Summer Schools including: Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Luxembourg and Munich.
 
Being totally passionate about the art form, to encourage greater awareness of the benefits of learning classical ballet has always been, and remains a strong priority. Carole is focussed on the education of mind and body through enjoyable participation in dance activities.

Patrick Suenderhauf - Contemporary and Classical Ballet Tutor

Patrick enjoys choreographing dances for end of year productions or for students who wish to compete or audition; he enjoys the creative challenges.

Sophie Ryan  - Classical Ballet Tutor

Sophie Ryan is a graduate of the New Zealand School of Dance (2006) who came to the School with a strong ballet background having completed RAD exams to Advanced II (94) and she also attended the Genee International Ballet Competition in Birmingham, England (2003) and Sydney, Australia (2002).
A change to contemporary dance followed and while at the School she had the opportunity to perform in La Sylphide, as well as Indigo Rose and Evening Songs by Jiri Kylian, and was first cast for two graduation pieces by Daniel Belton (2009 recipient of the Creative New Zealand Choreographic Fellowship) and Jane Pirani (previously Artistic Director of Dance North, Australia).

After graduating she successfully auditioned for Black Grace Dance Company. Sophie performed the new work (Amata) for Auckland Festival 07, and also toured the North Island. Since Amata she choreographed and performed two contemporary solos for the Latin dance show Café Pasion. She then created a new contemporary dance work with Ann Dewey, Flicker, which was performed in Auckland and Christchurch dance festivals as well as New Caledonia.  She is now in her second year of the Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) at AUT.

Sophie describes herself as an extremely dedicated and passionate teacher and performer and enjoys all forms of dance. She loves sharing this passion with dance students of all ages and passing on the knowledge she has gained from her experiences.

Erika Marais - Classical Ballet Tutor

 Ms Erika started Ballet at the age of four in South Africa. She was very serious about a career in Ballet and so attended the Pro Arte Alphen Park High School where she specialised in Ballet, Jazz and Spanish dance.  She also danced with C-Kruis, now 13th-Floor after school and any extra time she could find was spent dancing. Erika has served on the Gauteng Panel of the RAD and helped write the syllabus for the Spanish Presentation Medals of the NSDT.   Teaching then became her passion and she completed her RAD teacher training as well as becoming an SDS teacher in Spanish dance. Erika successfully ran her own school in South Africa unitl 2008 when she and her husband immigrated to New Zealand.  

Keri Edley - Director of Jazz

Keri Edley is the Director of Jazz at the Academy and Artistic Director for Jazz Dance New Zealand (JDNZ).

Keri started ballet dancing at the age of 8years, passing examinations in the British Ballet Organization Syllabus. She then continued onto Ballroom dancing where she became a teacher.

Keri studied the jazz idiom for several years in the New Zealand Association of Modern Dance (NZAMD) Syllabus passing examinations including the Advanced level. In 1980 she was asked to become an examiner for this association, a position which she held until 1992. In March 1979, Keri began her own dance school 'Keri Edley Modern Dance School', teaching jazz.

She is known for her amazing choreography. She choreographed and directed full length shows with her dance company 'Tiptoze', who performed all over New Zealand for a period of several years.

In 1993 Keri was invited to become the Artistic Director of JDNZ and has choreographed grade work for Beginners to advanced levels inclusive. She is also a national examiner for the JDNZ.

At the beginning of 2002, Auckland Academy of Dance incorporated Keri Edley Modern Dance School and moved to our larger current premises in New Lynn.

Over the years Keri's students have gone on to many different careers in dance including performers in stage musicals such as Cats, West Side Story, and Starlight Express as well as the Sky City Cheer Leaders, Vodafone Warriors and have been accepted into international dance companies.

Justine Butcher - Pre-School Tutor  

Justine is Auckland born and raised and a large part of her childhood was spent dancing. She started Ballet at age 3 and at aged 6 started jazz with Keri Edley where she completed all levels to Advanced 2.

Justine has danced in numerous competition teams and has always been known for her strong leadership and performance skills.  Justine has always played a key role in end of year performances in all dance forms and over the years has become established as Fairy Godmother to all our junior dancers.

Justine has a particular passion for teaching pre-schoolers and a special natural rapport with little ones loves. She especially enjoys helping every child discover the dancer within.  

 Amy Johnson -  Jazz Tutor

Amy started Ballet  at the Academy at the age of 4yrs and Jazz later. She has attained distinction at advanced levels of both Ballet and Jazz. Amy has extensive experience as both a solo dancer and as part of teams performing in local competitions and was a Junior Associate with the New Zealand School of Dance. Amy now choreographs both teams and solo work for the Academy for local competitions and performances. She is one of the Academy's first students to attain the JDNZ teachers qualification and also currently runs her own dance school  Urban Dance in Epsom as well as teaching for the Academy.

 www.urbandance.co.nz

Sophie Atkinson -  Jazz Tutor

Sophie began Ballet at the Academy age of 4yrs and Jazz at 7yrs.  She has completed both syllabi to advanced levels and participated in numerous teams at both performance and competition levels. Sophie teaches beginners and junior Jazz and has a natural affinity with our younger students. She also assists with competition teams and solo performance work.  Sophie is currently also studying Nursing at The University of Auckland. 

Catherine McKay - Hip Hop Tutor

Catherine teachers Grade and Competition Hip Hop work following the Jazz Dance New Zealand (JDNZ) syllabus. She is a former Jazz pupil of the Academy and graduate of Excel Performing Arts School where she was awarded "Most outstanding Student".  Catherine is a member of the new all girl Hip Hop crew formed by World Hop Hop Finalists Prestige and has extensive experience as a choreographer and teaches a number of younger students for competition work in both Jazz and Hip Hop.

Suzanne Morris -  Hip Hop Tutor

Suzanne is a current senior a Jazz and Hip Hop student at the Academy who has attained distinction in all grades to Advanced levels. She currently teachers beginners and junior Hip Hop. is a current senior Jazz and Hip Hop student at the Academy and teachers beginners and junior Hip Hop classes. Suzanne has also completed her Piano examinations to Grade 8 attaining distinction at every level. She is currently also a 2nd year language student at the University of Auckland.