Lisa, Carla, Tracey, Rachel

Carla:

I started ballet when I was four - my experience was not a positive one.  The teacher was unfriendly and stern and had a cane for tapping bottoms and tummies that weren’t doing as they should.  I remember feeling a bit nervous from the sound of the ballet teacher's shoes clopping on the cold wooden floor. 
Needless to say I didn’t last long!  I continued to dance at home by myself dreaming of one day becoming a ballerina (as many young girls do!).

I had a 6 month stint of jazz dancing but had to stop as my mother could no longer afford the lessons.

When I was 9 I started gymnastics which blew me away.  I loved it so much and competed at a national level.

When I left school I joined a performing arts group – ‘Nga Mahi a Rehia’.  We toured New Zealand and Japan performing Kapa Haka.

I then studied at the BOP Academy of Performing Arts directed by Peter & Yvonne Edwards.

I was accepted into the New Zealand School of Dance in Wellington in 1996.  It wasn’t for me.  It was (and of course should have been) quite structured and I disliked the competitiveness of it.  It made me realise I didn't want to dance as a career but rather wanted to dance for the pure pleasure of it - however and whenever I felt like it.

I decided to travel the world and had the most incredible experiences along the way.  I lived in the UK and the States and travelled to over 20 countries.

I settled with my kiwi husband in Sydney where we had our two children.  It was there that I worked for a dance school teaching children dance.  I also studied fitness and small business management and taught yoga.

When we arrived back in Tauranga in 2006 I saw the need for a dance school that offered a more relaxed approach, without the seriousness and expense of more traditional dance schools.  In 2008 ‘Rhythm Kids’ was born and, as they say, the rest is history!

Tracey:

Hi, My Name Is Tracey Olivier and I am 24 years old.  I was born in South Africa but have been living in NZ for 10 years and recently moved to Tauranga after graduating from AUT in Auckland with a Bachelor of Dance.

My studies have given me a wide range of choreographic skills which enables me to guide students to create their own works of art.

I have been dancing for over 10 years in a range of genres such as Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop and Contemporary.  I am so passionate about dance and love educating children about all forms of dance – their abilities never cease to amaze me.  I hope to one day own my own dance company and choreograph large scale dance productions.

Rachel:

Hi, my name is Rachel Sorensen. I am 22 years old and have lived in Papamoa for the past 10 years.

I have always loved children and I made the decision to work with them in some capacity when I was 13.

Throughout my college years I studied dance as a subject and loved every class, I just couldn’t get enough.  I passed all dance assessments with excellence.  They included Contemporary, Hip Hop, Salsa and choreographing group and solo dance pieces.  I participated in many extracurricular dance related activities such as stage challenge and fashion shows.

Once I graduated from college I followed my enthusiasm for working with children, completing the National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care level 5 at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.  I have worked in early childhood centres and as a nanny.

I specialise in teaching dance with the preschool age group but enjoy teaching all ages.

It is a pleasure to work for Rhythmz Dance Co.  Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for this fantastic opportunity to teach something I love and have a passion for.

Lisa:

Hi I’m Lisa and I’m 29 years old.  I have been dancing since I was about 4 and began with jazz ballet and modern dance. I have always loved to dance and believe it’s the best way to express yourself and gain confidence and body awareness. 
I started classes with Rhythmz Dance Co last year and was part of their performance team.  I was lucky enough to be offered a position teaching with them which I am thoroughly enjoying.  It has given me a new appreciation for dance and I love seeing my students progress and grow and learn to believe in themselves.  I have a six year old daughter who I hope to pass my love of dance on to.