Running Dance Classes For Kids in Dunedin Since 1981

Amelia is in her third year at the University of Otago studying a Bachelor of Music endorsed in performance. She has been doing tap dancing with Denise since the age of 9, and has also previously spent four years doing musical theatre, singing, and ballet. She has found that she is most passionate about tap dancing and playing the drums, and has teaching experience in drumming as well as in tap.

Amelia has completed NZAMD original tap exam grades 3-5 with 95% and above, and grades 6-9 with 100%, as well as American tap exam grades 3-7 with 100%, getting her two NZAMD Scholarship Awards nominations. She has also participated in tap competitions since the age of 9, a highlight being winning Champion of Champions in 2017.

She has performed in A Christmas Carol (DOS), and Theatre Restaurant shows Future Stars and What’s on the Goggle Box (MTD). Amelia is very excited to teach for Denise, and is looking forward to sharing her passions with other students.

Immy is in year 12 at Otago Girls High School. She has been dancing with the Denise
Henderson School of Tap, Jazz and Musical Theatre since age 5 and started teaching at the Māori Hill Studio in 2021.

She has completed all her Tap NZAMD examinations and will sit her solo seal later this year. She gained NZAMD scholarships in both 2020 and 2021. Immy has been successful in dance competitions throughout New Zealand, highlights include winning Champion of Champions for both Dunedin and Invercargill, winner of numerous Musical Theatre Awards and placing runner up in the prestigious Vi Stewart Award in 2022. She is excited to represent Dunedin at the National Young Performer Award in October this year

Immy has also had training in Ballet, Singing, Jazz, Musical theatre and Aerobics. Last year she qualified along with her partner for the World FISAF Aerobic competition, placing 6th overall.
Her stage credits include ‘The Sound of Music’ (Marta), Christmas Carol (Children’s chorus) ‘Ovation’ (children’s chorus), ‘The Highlights’ (All Star Troupe) and has appeared in 3 Theatre restaurants (“West End to Broadway”, “Future Stars” and “It’s Showtime”)

She can’t wait to share her passion for theatre and performing with the next generation of children.

Kelland is in his third year studying Psychology and Management at the University of Otago. Kelland started tapping at the age of 5, training with Denise Henderson. He has also trained in Ballet, Jazz and Piano and enjoys Tennis. Kelland’s dancing highlights include placing 2nd at the Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge, 3rd at the Auckland Caledonian Competitions, and was a Semifinalist at PACANZ in 2017 and 2022. Kelland’s Musical Theatre performances include being a member of the ensemble in Oliver, My Fair Lady, Priscilla, Wicked, and the playing the lead role of Billy Crocker in Bayfield High Schools, highly acclaimed production, of Anything Goes in 2017. Kelland is excited to be teaching the Boys Class this year and is grateful for the opportunity to pass down his knowledge.

Chloe is a 16-year-old year 12 student and has been tap dancing with Denise Henderson for 14 years.

She competes in Jazz as well as running her own Aerobics club where she is the head coach and choreographer. In October Chloe competed at the 2022 PACANZ Nationals for tap dancing alongside other Denise Henderson pupils. One of her greatest achievements was representing New Zealand at the 2021 FISAF World Championships for Aerobics.

Chloe is hoping to bring lots of fun and smiles to her Tuesday Musical Theatre class this year.

Lydia was born and bred in Dunedin and has always loved being involved in the local performance scene.

She has trained in many genres of dance such as ballet, jazz, hip hop (Dunedin School of Ballet). She started at the Denise Henderson Studio of Tap, Jazz and Musical Theatre at 6 years old, and through this
found a passion for performance, dance and Musical Theatre.

She performed in her first musical, Annie, in 2006. Since then she has had highlights in shows such as Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, The Sound Of Music, Grease: The Arena Spectacular, and The Last Five
Years.

While studying, she choreographed musicals for Kings and Queens High School such as The Lion King, and Jesus Christ Super Star, and directed Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She studied at the University of Otago, graduating with Bachelor of Performing Arts in 2016.

In recent years, Lydia had tutored at Xpression Dance Studio in Christchurch, and travelled for 3 years with Perform! Education, bringing educational theatre to the tamariki of New Zealand.

Lydia is excited to be back in Dunedin and come back to the amazing community that Denise Henderson Studio of Tap, Jazz & Musical Theatre provides.

Jasmine hails from Auckland and is currently a full-time student at the University of Otago studying first year Health Science with the intension of studying physiotherapy next year.

Dance has been a huge part of Jasmine’s life, beginning Ballet at 3 and quickly starting Tap Dancing, Jazz, Contemporary and Lyrical. Jasmine has competed in a range of styles learning from Expressions Dance and Raewyn Burgess for Tap Dancing Competitions.

Jasmine has completed BAL advanced Jazz and BAL Tap, level 10, with honours with distinction. Jasmine has additionally choreographed multiple classes at Expressions Dance along with troupes at school and thrives on a challenge and getting involved in everything she can.

Jasmine has taught Jazz, Tap and Ballet for Expressions Dance, as well as choreographing the end of year show pieces for Advanced Jazz and Tap in 2023 and IST and BAL exam work.

Jasmine is excited to be joining the Denise Henderson Studio of Tap, Jazz, and Musical Theatre. Jasmine will be teaching Musical Theatre at Waverley and at Māori Hill, as well as Tap Dancing.

Trainee Teacher

Stasa is 13 years old and attends Trinity Catholic College. She has been dancing with Denise Henderson since she was 5 years old and has grown into a successful competition dancer. Stasa is currently the Intermediate Champion of Champions. She trains in tap, jazz, lyrical, aerobics and singing. Stasa’s Jazz/lyrical training was for many years with Lara Davidson and is now learning from Amy McNicholl at Denise’s studio. Stasa learns singing from Arlie Julia.

Stasa’s musical theatre experience includes appearing in Les Miserables (Little Cosette), The Highlights (Matilda) Ovation (Youth Ensemble), and the Theatre Restaurant, Future Stars. She is thrilled to be in Taieri Musical’s upcoming production of Disney’s Frozen.

Stasa is excited to be sharing her passion for dance and musical theatre with her Minis Musical Theatre class.

Teacher

Inese has 14 years’ experience across ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary. She has attended MoveItDanceworks in Wellington Island Bay since turning five, taking a range of open and exam classes over the years and provided teaching when required.

Inese started as a balletdancer at the age of four, but soon found my groove in genres such as jazz, contemporary and tap – whilst still taking ballet classes and strength and conditioning classes. Since the beginning of high school she began to involve herself in local dance competitions through solos in jazz, lyrical and contemporary, duos in jazz and contemporary and troupes in jazz, tap and contemporary – placing regularly in the top 3. In 2021 her MoveItDanceworks tap troupe was nominated for PACANZ and in 2022 she became dance captain for the troupe that competed as one of only 4 tap troupes at PACANZ NYPA.

Throughout her years of dance Inese has consistently taken jazz, tap and contemporary exams in NZAMD getting high honours and distinction results and is very familiar with the NZAMD style and format. During her first year at university (2023) Inese has become very involved in the dance life in Dunedin, taking a level two dance paper (DANC201) in contemporary dance, achieving an A+. This paper included researching choreographers and learning about their style as well as choreographing a solo and a group dance which was performed at the end. Inese has also been heavily involved in the Otago Dance Association where she teaches classes (mainly in jazz, contemporary and tap) additionally securing one of the lead roles for the 2023 showcase. Inese is also on the 2024 executive team for ODA.

Inese is extremely excited to join Denise’s amazing team of teachers and dancers in 2024.

Teacher

After completing a degree majoring in Human Nutrition Hannah is now studying physiotherapy at the University of Otago. Hannah has been dancing since the age of 4 and has been trained in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Musical Theatre and Hip Hop. In 2014 she started dancing at Levings School of Dance where she danced competitively from the age of 14. Hannah has competed throughout New Zealand as well as internationally at Showcase Australia, gaining several national titles.

Hannah joined the Otago Dance Association in 2021 and has been a member of their performance troupe for the past 3 years. In 2021 she played the lead role of ‘Cady” in ODA’s production of ‘Mean Girls’ and since then has been the Co-director of ODA’s Showcase productions of ‘The Hunger Games’ in 2022 and ‘Titanic’ in 2023. Last year Hannah was the president of ODA and has been re-elected as president for 2024.

Hannah is a part of the Otago Dancers and is excited to be in her third year with the team. With the Otago Dancers Hannah performs at the Otago Nuggets home games and has had the opportunity to perform at other sporting events such as the All Blacks, Black Ferns, and Highlanders rugby games as well as taking part in the Otepoti Flash Mob.

Hannah’s choreography and teaching experience has included choreographing for ODA weekly classes and ODA showcases, relieving at various dance schools around Dunedin as well as choreographing and performing at several Corporate events including the Otago Business Awards and the Otago Medical Research Gala.

Hannah is excited to have the opportunity to teach for Denise and is looking forward to sharing her love of dance with the students.