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
Nancy Holland-Schroder
Director
Nancy trained at The Nesta Brooking School Ballet and General Education London (Scholarship) and went on to study at The Arts Educational Stage School London (Scholarship) in all Dance genres, Acting, and Singing, followed by Theatre Directing with Raymond Hawthorne in NZ.
She has had Lead Acting /Dance roles in Theatre and television which include;
Mercury Theatre The Crucible, Carousel, Amadeus
Court Theatre Daughters Of Heaven, Gypsy, Wind In The Willows, Private Lives
ATC Travesties
Summer Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
Theatre In The City Blood Wedding
Silo A Kind Of Alaska
National Tour Shirley Valentine
Shortland Street
Hercules
Street Legal
To date, Nancy is the Studio Owner and Artistic Principal of The Auckland Academy of Dance, and Artistic Director of The Stage Co. - Directing and producing professional productions for over 10 years from Shakespeare to Pantomime.
Teachers
Danielle Timbers
Senior Jazz
Danielle trained with Momentum Productions, Diamond Entertainment, Auckland Academy of Dance, Jazz Dance - NZ- Solo Seal Diploma, RAD Ballet / Contemporary Syllabus, and JDNZ Hip Hop Syllabus. As a professional dancer she has been a Commercial and Contemporary Dancer for Diamond Entertainment, Momentum ProductionsRoyal Caribbean Cruise lines, Moulin Rouge, SkyCity Cheer Team Cheerleader (Dance Captain/Dancer for the NZ Warriors & Breakers, XFactor NZ Season Dancer, All Blacks’ Performer, Season Two Hearts Performer, Tempo Dance Festival 2015-2016 and Fringe Dance Festival 2017-2019. She has also worked extensively as a freelance teacher and choreographer across Auckland.
Justine Butcher
Pre-School, PrePrimary and Primary Dance
Justine's training includes Auckland Academy of Dance (since aged 3), Keri Edley Modern Dance Jazz - Advanced with Distinction, Pre School training with Jill Arkley. As a dancer, Justine has competed in both ballet and jazz including national and international competitions. With over 25 years of Pre School teaching experience, she thoroughly enjoys teaching the younger students. Justine specialises in Pre School dance but also covers all levels of jazz and ballet.
Samantha Keighley
Ballet CBTS & ARAD
Samantha's dance training was completed at the Auckland Academy of Dance in the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Pre-School to Advanced 2 Ballet all 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 in Ballet and Jazz including Alana Haines.
She has obtained her RAD certificate in Ballet CBTS & RAD. With well Over 10 years of freelance teaching across Auckland, Samantha is a sought-after leading teacher and expert on the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus.
Daniel Cooper
Ballet + Contemporary Teacher
Daniel was trained at the prestigious New Zealand School of DanceAs a Dancer, he has performed in Billy Elliott (older) for Auckland Theatre Company (ATC), Douglas Wright's 2002 season of Inland, Black Grace Dance Company (4yrs), Atamira Dance Company, Okareka Dance Company. He has choreographed for
Black Grace, Stars in Their Eyes, Montanan Sunday Theatre, Okareka Dance Company, Atamira Dance Company and The World of Wearable Arts. Daniel is a freelance teacher across New Zealand, including
Dance Educator Royal New Zealand Ballet
Independance, Atatmira Dance Co., Raising the Barre,
Okareka Dance Co., WOW, UNITEC and Auckland Academy of Dance
Maria Wrassky-Bulmer
Training
Professional Development
Josh Cesan, Andrew Cesan, Indigo Sagala, Christa Albert, Kiel Tutin, Todd Williamson, Identity Dancecrew, The Bradas Dance Crew, Kayla Paige, Jane Strickland, Ginny Sc- Ahill, Tracey Rogers, Matthewmoore, Rebekah Shoonbeek
Pre-Professional Development Training - Momentum Productions (2017) Pro-Development training - Momentum Productions (2018/20)
Adult Development Programme - Nzx Next (2020/21)
Summer Jam Dance Camp - Singapore (2017)
Fair Play Dance Camp - Poland (2019)
Shay Program - Amsterdam (2022)
Linda Lopez
Teams and Extension
Linda started ballet at the age of five and trained under Philippa Campbell and Joye Lowe, gaining distinction in all her RAD exams.
She also attended Fulton School of Dance and gained Solo Seal Jazz at 15 years old.
She successfully reached the top 12 in ballet and the top 6 in jazz at PACANZ.
Linda was accepted and attended the New Zealand School of Dance as a classical major at 17 years old.
Deciding to leave was an extremely hard decision, but one that was right for her, and she went on to study a Bachelor in Business (Accounting) and a Diploma in Human Resources.
She competed nationally in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and contemporary throughout her childhood.
Linda loves teaching children and watching their passion for dance grow.
Jacob Cameron
Hip Hop and Tap
Education and Training
Unitec Mt Albert Campus - Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts
NCEA Scholarship winner in Dance and Media Studies.
BOYZDANCE2
Hip Hop to Level 6
Teen development
Varsity Competitions
Tap to Level 8
Work & Accomplishments
Dance Teacher
Auckland Academy of Dance, Tap and Hip Hop
The Dance Studio – Tap and Hip Hop.
Choreographer and Lead Dancer for the championship-winning hip-hop school dance crew - MAGS Megacrew
IDCO (Identity Dance Company) – Hip Hop
World Hip Hop Championships, representing New Zealand in 2022 and 2023
Double silver medalist 2022 “Swagganauts” and “Yung ID” (Varsity and Megacrew divisions respectively).
Back and back double silver medalist 2023 “Swagganauts” and “Yung ID”. (Hip Hop Varsity and Megacrew divisions respectively).