Miss Chloe

Chloe began dancing when she was 8 years old starting with HipHop and Jazz. She completed exams through the Jazz Addict and Urban Ignition syllabus gaining high marks. Chloe also participated in lyrical and musical theatre. Chloe wanted to further her training so she completed the British Ballet Organisation (BBO) Jazz exams and NZAMD Contemporary and HipHop exams. She has also done multiple NZAMD medal exams. Chloe has completed 2 levels of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) exams for ballet. 

Chloe has competed in competitions around the Waikato region for Jazz, Lyrical and Contemporary and has competed in solos, duos and group dances. Her highlight was competing at the BBO dance days in Christchurch where she won gold for Jazz, Contemporary and Advanced Contemporary while having the pleasure of working with international dance instructors. 

Chloe assisted in teaching Acro and contemporary for 5 years. 

On the side, Chloe performed in multiple local musicals for singing and dancing and has performed in Cabaret-style musicals, which is one of her favourite dance genres. 

Chloe will be teaching Jazz, Contemporary and Ballet at St Paul’s Dance Studio and Soulful School of Dance for 2024, as well as competition work. 

She is a very bubbly person who enjoys getting to know new people and building relationships! Her approach to teaching is about creating a positive and fun environment for students to feel comfortable and confident.

She is excited to return to teaching and strengthen others’ passion for dance like hers. 

Miss Francesca

For the past two years (2021 & 2022) Francesca has choreographed competition troupes for her school gaining extremely successful results. In 2022 Francesca choreographed a Year 9/10 Contemporary Troupe ‘Be a Lady,’ which won 1st Overall in the Junior category at Regionals and went on to win 1st Runner Up a Nationals. As well as that, Francesca has also performed in some school productions such as, The Addam’s Family (2021) and Shrek Jr (2019)

Francesca has completed a range of exams with numerous syllabuses, including NZAMD, IDTA and NZAHND. She has trained in styles such as, Jazz, Contemporary, Highland, Tap, Hip Hop and Lyrical. 

In 2022 Francesca completed Level 5 Contemporary and Intermediate Jazz through NZAMD, gaining Distinction in both exams and being nominated for an NZAMD scholarship. Francesca has travelled throughout Aotearoa to compete at Highland dance competitions, she has also attended workshops and performed at events, throughout the community.

Francesca has won a number of scholarships for her dancing, as well as a number of cups and trophies. Some of the most recent at her school, including 1st in NCEA Level 1 Dance, Top Junior Dancer 2021, Top Junior Arts Award 2021 and the exam scholarship in Christchurch for Highland dance 2022.

Francesca continues to train regularly with open classes, syllabus and competition work. She continues to explore the world of dance and her creative freedom. Francesca is delighted to work with St Paul’s Dance Studio, and  hopes to share her knowledge and passion with the students.

Miss Gracie-May

Gracie-May has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She describes dancing as her happy place and a sport that she is extremely passionate about. 

Gracie-May started her dancing journey at Auckland City School of Arts (ACSA) and trained in all dance styles. She started competing as a soloist and in dance troupes at 5 years old with Pink Cadillac being her very first Jazz solo. 

Gracie-May then relocated to Hamilton and was one of the first students to dance at the St Paul’s Dance Studio when it opened. Gracie is currently training in Intermediate Ballet, Advanced 1 Jazz, Level 5 Contemporary, Senior Acro and Level 6 Tap. She is a competition dancer and competes around New Zealand with a jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, contemporary and tap solo as well as being a part of the St Pauls Dance Studio Trio. 

Gracie-May has been an assistant teacher alongside Mrs Norman since the beginning of the St Paul’s Dance Studio and in 2023 she began teaching her own classes. She loves teaching dance, and especially enjoys passing on her passion for dance to her students, so that they can grow their love for movement and music. Gracie-May is wonderful at building relationships with the students, she is extremely hard working and is a great role model to inspire students to reach their full potential. She has a positive and enthusiastic personality and reflects the St Paul’s Dance Studio values in her classes. 

Gracie-May cannot wait to start 2024, to meet all of her students and explore dance together. 

Miss Imbi

Imbi started her dancing journey at four years old, when she started ballet classes. Later in her dance journey she picked up Jazz and Contemporary.

Imbi was one of the first students at St Paul’s Dance Studio. Imbi is currently training in Advanced Ballet, Advanced 2 Jazz and Level 6 Contemporary. Imbi was previously a competition dancer and competed around the North Island in Classical Ballet and Lyrical solos, she was also a part of a St Paul’s dance studio duo in 2023.

In 2023, Imbi completed the Intermediate Ballet and Contemporary Level 5 NZAMD exam and received excellent results. 

Performing arts has always been a strong aspect of Imbi’s life, she always auditions for her school production and for the past two years has landed speaking roles. Besides dancing, Imbi is in numerous singing/musical groups and has competed in Barbershop Regionals and Nationals in 2022 and 2023. 

In the later weeks of term 4 2023, Imbi shadowed Mrs Norman in a few ballet classes. Imbi is very excited to start teaching her own classes and share her love and passion of dance to the younger students at St Paul’s Dance studio. Imbi cannot wait to begin her teaching journey to begin in 2024 !!

Miss Lily

Lily began her dancing journey when she was 4 years old, starting with Ballet classes. Later on she then picked up Jazz knowing she wanted to excel as a dancer.

Lily joined St Paul’s Dance Studio in 2021 and was one of the first students at the studio. She has completed many levels of IDTA Ballet exams at her previous studio and Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop and Contemporary NZAMD exams receiving high marks across all. She is currently training in Intermediate Ballet, Elementary Jazz, Level 5 Contemporary, Level 6 Hip Hop, Acro intermediate and competes at local competitions around the Waikato with six solos. 

Previously Lily has competed in many Jump Jam competitions making it to top categories and competing nationally for her school. In 2021, Lily’s team was the national champions winning the year 5-6 category. Lily has also been a part of many school productions gaining roles of lead dancers and a couple of speaking roles which shows her love for performing on stage as well. 

In 2023 Lily has been assisting Mrs Norman in Ballet and Hip Hop classes, knowing that she would love to share the passion of dance she has to her peers, others and younger generations. Lily is extremely excited to be a part of the teaching team at St Paul’s Dance Studio willing to create a happy, safe and fun environment to help and inspire others to grow and reach their goals in their own dancing journeys. 

Lily is very excited for what 2024 has in store and to meet her students and help them achieve and have a great year!

Miss Carol

Carol started dancing when she was 3 years old while living in Brazil. 

She is currently studying Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary. Carol competes in competitions around New Zealand throughout the year and is extremely passionate about dancing. Her favourite style is Ballet, in 2023 Carol sat her Elementary Ballet exam and received Distinction as well as a NZAMD scholarship for gaining 97% or higher. 

In 2023 Carol taught along side Mrs Norman and is very excited to be teaching the Intermediate technique class and grade 4 ballet this year. On top of Carol's weekly dance classes at home she follows a number of extension programs from international tutors and therefore has a wealth of knowledge to share with her students. 

Carol is excited to support her students to develop the same love and passion for dance that she has.

Miss Danika

Danika started dancing 12 years ago, when she was 6 years old. She started with Ballet and Contemporary and a few years after started Indian dance styles back in South Africa. Danika moved to Hamilton from South Africa in 2022, and has done her Intermediate Ballet exams and her Level 5 contemporary exams. She got promoted to be a member in a professional Indian dance company in 2021, where she trained with talented dancers and choreographers in the industry from South Africa and India, for gigs and several dance productions. 

Danika hopes to inspire students with her passion and love for dance, and help students reach their full potential while having lots of fun. Her favourite dance styles are Contemporary and Ballet. Danika is determined and hard working, and strives to create a positive environment. She is extremely excited to start teaching in 2024 and share her passion with the students.

Miss Spenceley

Jane is the Teacher in Charge of Chemistry, and Deputy Housemaster of Harington Day House at St Paul’s Collegiate School. She spent 12 years during primary and high school dancing Tap, Jazz and a brief stint of Contemporary. After reaching Level 7 in Tap she hung up her shoes to pursue her BSc and MSc at Waikato University before starting her teaching career in 2015. Tap has still remained in her life, making appearances on the Riverlea Theatre stage and at a fun adult class over the years. The best part about dance has always been performing for an audience, as well as the sparkly costumes! 

When not teaching Jane enjoys baking and tramping. To celebrate the start of 2023 she walked the Abel Tasman Coat Track, her third Great Walk.

Jane is excited to be able to support the St Paul’s Dance Studio’s senior tap students and is thoroughly looking forward to making a lot of noise!