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 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.
Katrina Elia
Administration Manager
Katrina is the Director - Administrator of her company Ed-U-Kate Network Solutions Ltd. She has been a professional background actor for Background Talent for many years and regularly appears on Shortland Street. She is the Team Manager for Auckland Academy of Dance, proudly having brought AAD Teams to many competitions including - 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. Katrina has been around the world of dance for many years having been Office/Admin *- Capezio Dance Sport Competition (Akld) 2013-2014, and Fundraising Team - Capezio Dance Sport Competition (Akld) 2013-2014.
Teachers
Katie Proffit-McKinney
Senior Ballet CBTS & ARAD
RAD-qualified Teacher CBTS & ARAD
Pattan Academy of Dance - RAD Advanced & NZAMD Syllabus, Ballet & Jazz
Diploma in Classical Ballet - Australian Ballet School, Melbourne
Bachelor of Performing Arts, majoring in Contemporary Dance. Katie has danced with Sydney Opera House, Melbourne State Theatre, as a company Member of Black Grace, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, and been a freelance RAD Ballet teacher across Auckland RAD 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.
Hip Hop Teacher
Bianca Paine
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
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.
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
Jazz Teacher
Ashley Elia
Ashley has a Standard 1 Dance Teaching Certification through the Independent Dance Educational Syllabus
Auckland Academy of Dance, she has trained with Empire Studio, Candy Lane Studio, New Zealand Performing Arts as Junior Associate for two years, and with The Arts Factory training in Acting, Singer, and Dance.
As a professional dancer, Ashley has appeared in many music videos - including - Lost Soul (Valkyrie),Running (Julia Turner), Winner (Amara Duru), Keep on Moving (Amara Duru), Surface Breaks (Ekko Park)
The Usurper (Arma Del Amor). She has performed with Bollywood actor Salman Khan in the New Zealand leg of his worldwide Da Bang Tour at Spark Arena, Gospel Singer Amara Duru, 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, and Dancer in The New Zealand National Body Art Awards (2018), The Warriors Mini Cheer Squad
2013-2014. Ashley is a freelance teacher across Auckland. She is a very creative choreographer and teacher, bringing her teams to receive 1st and 2nd place.
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 international competitions in the Brisbane Eisteddfods, and Fight for LifeTip Toes, Pepsi Auckland Harbour Cruises, plus been a freelance teacher for over 35 years with AAD and 20+ years of teaching and training with pre-school students and students in Pre Primary and Primary ballet.
Millie Hanford
Musical Theatre & Tap
Millie Hanford trained at Impact Dance & Stage School in Tap, Jazz, and singing all to advance levels, Canterbury Ballet RAD to Intermediate level, studied improvisation with the Court Jesters, and was a youth company member at Court Theatre, and is a recent graduate of The Actors’ Program 2022. As a dancer, actor, improviser, writer, and comedian from Ōtautahi Christchurch, Millie has been a regular professional performer at The Court Theatre, appearing in a range of kids' shows, the late night comedy Show Scared Scriptless and the Anthony Harper Summertimes seasons.
her recent acting credits include the TAPAC 2023 kids show season, and new sketch comedy show New York Architecture and a Fish’ at the Classic Comedy Club.
Millie is an experienced dance, drama, and improvisation tutor. She has taught tap, jazz, and musical theatre to a range of children and adults across both Ōtautahi and Tāmaki Makaurau since 2015. Millie was proud to launch and lead the Court Jesters Youth Company in 2021, which is in its third successful year supplying improvisation training for youth aged 16-22