Commitment.
Focus.
Fun.
40 Years of Experience
Our Philosophy
Dance is the study of form, and it can be applied to many aspects of life. There is no doubt that dance helps with the efficiency of movement in everyday life. A dancer is an ultimate athlete as they must execute their movements without obvious effort - and yet the effort is immense.
Additionally, it is the deeper benefits of the social and psychological aspects that are not initially seen.
To be an achiever in life, one must first learn discipline, and the ability to apply oneself. Dance helps to develop the ability to practice regularly to reach a level that will make an impact, or change the status quo, to propel one forward in life, and gain the skills & confidence to fulfill one's personal goals. To possess the stamina to carry on when it counts, in spite of fear, tiredness, or self-doubt.
In dance class, a student learns about themselves, their expectations, limitations & disappointments, followed by determination. These attributes are important life skills.
Within the studio, the student learns to work with others and to take on board direction, in a healthy and positive way.
With dance comes creative artistic expression. The expression of large emotions and the freedom and space to do so; to interpret a story physically in partnership with music, where one becomes intuitive with the sound, its rhythm, and its feel.
Whether or not the intention is to be a prima ballerina or a bus driver, dance gives a lifetime structure of emotional, physical, and mental well-being that will see one through to old age.
Staff
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Directors & Managers
Nancy Schroder
Director
Training
Arts Educational Stage School London (Scholarship)
Nesta Brooking School Ballet and General Education London (Scholarship)
Raymond Hawthorne NZ Directing
Professional
Lead Actor/Dancer Theatre & Television Includes;
Mercury Theatre The Crucible, Carousel, Amadeus
Court Theatre Daughters Of Heaven, Gypsy, Wind In The Willows, Private Lives
ATC Travesties
Summer Shakespeare Twelfth Night
Theatre In The City Blood Wedding
Silo A Kind Of Alaska
National Tour Shirley Valentine
Shortland Street
Hercules
Street Legal
Current | Artistic Director of KISS Theatre
Penny Dodd
Director
Training
Piano Performance - Victoria University Wellington
Professional
30 years in NZ, UK & Aus
Musical Director
Mercury Theatre
The National Theatre, London
Civic Theatre Auckland
Evita/Chicago 42nd St/ Cats/Anything Goes
Auckland Theatre Company - High Society/ Stepping Out/Jesus Christ Superstar (Vocal Coach)
Arranger & Conductor
Symphonic Rock Concerts with APO
Coca Cola Christmas In The Park (17 years)
Pianist/Performer
'Hell' Cabaret with Helen Medlyn since 1998
Current
Browns Music Ltd providing Bands, Orchestras, Musical Arrangements, Musical Direction & Theatre Production since 1993
Musical Director of KISS Theatre
Katrina Elia
Administration Manager
Professional
Ed-U-Kate Network Solutions Ltd
Director - Administrator
Background Talent -
Background Actor - Films, Commercials -TV
Team Manager for Auckland Academy of Dance-
Hip Hop Team - HHI - 2017
Contemporary - Cheerbrandz -Bid to Las Vegas 2017
Contemporary/Jazz - Eisteddford Comps - Brisbane 2017
Contemporary/Jazz /MT- Pacanz 2016-2017-2018
Dance Life Unite -
Staff - Auckland Competitions 2017
Baxter-Empire Studios -
Logistics-Team Manager
Hip Hop - Dancebrandz Finals - Hawaii - 2016
Jazz - Dancebrandz Finals - Hawaii - 2016
Hip Hop - DanceBranz - Wellington Finals - 2015 Bid Won
Hip Hop - DanceBrandz - Christchurch Finals 2016 Bid Won
Candy Lane Studios -
Office/Admin *- Capezio Dance Sport Competition (Akld) 2013-2014
Fundraising Team - Capezio Dance Sport Competition (Akld) 2013-2014
Teachers
Nicci Mcewan
Head of Senior Ballet
Training
Canadian National Ballet School
Graduated Royal Ballet School
Professional
Teacher
2000-2013 Leading Ballet Academies - Glasglow, Scotland
2013 Company Ballet Mistress New Zealand Dance Company
Professional Dance Experience
Principle Dancer for The Scottish Ballet Company - Performing all around the world including the Bolshoi Theatre, the Kremlin in front of Gorbachev, in front of the royal family of South Korea
Represented The Scottish Ballet in Brazil performing for the Royal Academy of Dancing
Samantha Keighley
Ballet Teacher
Training
Auckland Academy of Dance Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Pre-School Advanced 2 Ballet with Distinction
Auckland Academy of Dance Contemporary to Level 6 with Honours & Distinction.
Auckland Academy of Dance Jazz to Solo Seal level with Distinction.
Competitions Ballet and Jazz including Alana Haines
Qualification
RAD Certificate in Ballet Teaching CBTS
Bianca Paine
Hip Hop + Musical Theatre Teacher
Training
The Palace Dance Studio Parris Goebel
The Actors' Program Graduate
Cirque du Soleil Creation Process Training
Professional
Special Awards
The World Hip Hop Championships Bronze Medal The Palace Dance Studio Las Vegas/Nevada
The World Hip Hop Championships Gold Medal The Palace Dance Studio Las Vegas/Nevada
The World Hip Hop Championships Gold Medal The Palace Dance Studio Las Vegas
Professional Work
Cirque du Soleil- Michael Jackson ONE Dir. Jamie King Las Vegas/ Nevada
Chicago Ensemble The Court Theatre
Performer- The Stage Company/TAPAC
Rapunzel Witch Dir. Nancy Schroder The Satge Company
Vernon God Little Various Dir. Leon Wadham Basement Theatre
Snow White Happy Dir. Nancy Schroder The Stage Company
Peter Pan Pirate Dir. Nancy Schroder The Stage Company
Sleeping Beauty Prince Dir. Nancy Schroder The Stage Company
Teaching The Palace Dance Studio Hip Hop 2010 - 2012
Children Adults
Beginners Advanced
Hayz Pincheira Rowe
Head of Jazz + Tap
Training
Italia Conti Academy Of Performing, London
Professional
Director of NZPA and Junior Associates Program
Italia Conti ISTD Teacher
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Alice London
The Snowman Penguinâ UK
Wind In The Willows Elsieâ
Music Video Dancer
Rachel Stevens
Outcast
Beyonce
Black Eyed Peas
Choreographer & Teacher
Auckland Academy Of Dance
Pakuranga College
TAPACg
Daniel Cooper
Ballet + Contemporary Teacher
Training
The New Zealand School of Dance
Professional
Dancer
Billy Elliott (older) Billy Elliott ATC
Douglas Wrights 2002 season of Inland
Black Grace Dance Company (4yrs)
Choreographer
Black Grace
Stars in Their Eyes
Montanan Sunday Theatre
Assistant Director/Choreographer
Okareka Dance Company
Atamira Dance Company
World of Wearable Art
Teacher
Dance Educator Royal New Zealand Ballet
Independance
Atatmira Dance Co.
Raising the Barre
Okareka Dance Co.
WOW
UNITEC
Jane Leonard
Musical Theatre Teacher
Training
National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA)
Actor, Singer, Dancer, Teacher, Director & Choreographer.
Professional
The Court Theatre - Amadeus, The Mikado, Legally Blonde the Musical,Vivienne Kensington, Alternate Velma in Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, Puss in Boots.
Showbiz - Elphaba in Wicked, Scaramouche in We Will Rock You, Diva in Priscilla Queen Of The Desert; The Mistress in Evita
Meg Giry in Phantom Of The Opera
Magnitude Productions - Regina in Rock Of Ages
Teacher & Coach - Marrzipan Drama.
Ashley Elia
Jazz Teacher
Training
Standard 1 Dance Teaching Certification through the Independent Dance Educational Syllabus
Auckland Academy of Dance
Empire Studio
Candy Lane Studio
New Zealand Performing Arts as Junior Associate for two years
The Arts Factory
Professional
Music Videos
Lost Soul (Valkyrie)
Running (Julia Turner)
Winner (Amara Duru)
Keep on Moving (Amara Duru)
Surface breaks (Ekko Park)
The Usurper (Arma Del Amor)
Dancer / Performer
Backup dancer for Famous Bollywood actor Salman Khan in the New Zealand leg of his worldwide Da Bang Tour at Spark Arena
Backup dancer for Gospel Singer Amara Duru for all her New Zealand performances
The Stage company’s quarterly charitable KISS (Kids In Show Seats) productions including Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Robin Hood, A Christmas Story, Alice in Wonderland and Aladdin at the Logan Campbell Centre.
Tom’s Marvellous Imagination for the 2017 extended season, TAPAC
Dancer in The New Zealand National Body Art Awards (2018)
The Warriors Mini Cheer Squad
2013-2014
Justine Butcher
Head of Junior School
Training
Auckland Academy of Dance (since aged 3)
Keri Edley Modern Dance Jazz Advanced with Distinction
Pre School training under Jill Arkley
Competed in both ballet and jazz including international competitions in the Brisbane Eisteddfods
Over 35 years with AAD and 20+ years of teaching and training with Pre School students and students in Pre Primary and Primary ballet.
Professional
Teacher
Auckland Academy of Dance
Keri Edley Modern Dance School
Tonia Robertson School of Dance (past)
Membership
Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Full Member
Jazz Dance New Zealand
Professional Dance Experience
Fight for Life
Tip Toes
Pepsi
Auckland Harbour Cruises
Gemma Boswell
Jazz Teacher
Professional
NAPATA award-winning Choreographer
Auckland Music Theatre
Rebel Theatre Company
Center Stage Theatre
North Shore Musical Theatre
Dancer – Highly Flammable
Ritz entertainment & Deluxe Models as a fire V8’s
Fuji Xerox 50th anniversary
Fire & Ice show
Taupo Arts Festival & 2015 Highlife - Waiheke
Daniela Vegas
Acro Tutor
Training
React Studio, aerial circus skills (2016-2018)
Dust Palace, aerial circus skills (2016)
Flip n Fly, aerial, tumbling and contortion skills (2017)
PUC Chile, Aerobics gymnastics (6 years)
Club Providencia, Rhythmic Gymnastics (12 years)
Chilean National Team, Rhythmic Gymnastics (3 years)
Qualifications
Contemporary Dancer, Escuela Moderna, Chile (2010-2012)
Professional
Circus Performance Work
Imaginarium (2019)
Carnaval de la noche (2018)
Sudaka Latin Party (2018)
Apollo Dance School (2017)
Stunt Work
Power Rangers
Acting Work
Spartacus (2013)
KFC TVC (2013)
Vodafone TVC (2013)
Power Rangers (2013-2014)
Almighty Johnsons (2014)
Teacher
React Studio (2017)
Flip n Fly circus school (2019)