Director/Choreographer
Denise Henderson
Years Experience
Students
%
students passing exams with distinction
Denise Henderson
Running Dance Classes For Kids in Dunedin Since 1981
Denise is considered to be one of New Zealand’s most respected and successful Tap Dancing choreographers, teachers, and adjudicators, having successfully run dance classes in Dunedin for over 44 years to the highest level of national and international competition. Denise trains over 50 dancers ‘one on one’ for competitions as well as classes in musical theatre and acting. In 2020 we introduced the NZAMD American Jazz programme and now offer the first four grades of Jazz, which will grow in due course. Our Jazz programme is headed by a fantastic team of teachers.
The studio boasts a talented teaching staff of fully qualified teachers with extensive performance, musical theatre, singing, tap and ballet/jazz training, qualifications and experience.
Denise has been a musical theatre performer since the very early 1980’s and has a string of successful roles to her credit, favourites include; Velma (Chicago) Miss Hannigan (Annie) The Wardrobe (Beauty and The Beast) and Madame Thenardier (Les Miserables).
Denise also very involved directing musicals and having directed My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music for Taieri Musical, Anything Goes for Bayfield High School and a lavish production for the South Canterbury Drama League of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in 2018. Most Denise directed and choreographed ‘Future Stars a Musical Revival’ for MTD. In 2021 Denise directed and choreographed Columba College’s Musical, High School Musical and more recently Taieri Musicals immensly successful season of Frozen Junior in October 2023.
Students of the Denise Henderson Studio of Tap, Jazz & Musical Theatre are extremely successful in concert, competition and exam work. Students are consistently placing the highest in their competitive work with 80% of all students sitting exams passing with distinction (over 95%).
Besides running a busy dancing and musical theatre studio, Denise has a real passion for directing and choreographing musicals, not just for the major societies in Dunedin, but enjoys working, on a freelance basis, with a variety of societies, high schools and organisations and societies out of Dunedin. Denise prides in herself in her attention to detail, polish and knowledge of a variety of musical theatre eras and genres. All her shows have been presented to sell out audiences and have gained rave reviews.
Denise as a…
Choreographer
• 2023 – Frozen Junior – Taieri Muscial Society
• 2021 – High School Musical – Columba College
• Anything Goes – MTD
• 42nd Street – MTD
• Pre-Match entertainment package for the NZRFU All Black/South African test
• My Fair Lady – Taieri Musical
• The Sound of Music – Taieri Musical
• Anything Goes – Bayfield High School
• Future Stars, a Musical Revival – MTD
Denise as a…
Director
• 2023 – Frozen Junior – Taieri Muscial Society
• 2021 – High School Musical – Columba College
• 2019 – Future Stars: a Musical Revival – Musical Theatre Dunedin
• 2018 – Beauty & The Beast –
South Canterbury Drama League
• 2017 – Anything Goes – Bayfield High School
• 2015 – The Sound of Music – Taieri Musical Society
• 2014 – Beauty & The Beast –
Bayfield High School
• 2011 – My Fair Lady – Taieri Musical Society
• 2000 – 42nd Street – Musical Theatre Dunedin
• 1993 – Anything Goes – Musical Theatre Dunedin
Denise as a…
Performer
• Velma Kelly, Chicago – MTD
• Maggie Jones, 42nd Street – MTD
• The Wardrobe, Beauty & the Beast – MTD
• Miss Hannigan, Annie – Taieri Musical
• Madame Thenardier, Les Miserables – Taieri Musical
Les Mis 1994 MTD
Denise as Madame Thenadier in Taieri Musical’s production of Les Mis 2013
Denise as Madame Thenadier in Taieri Musical’s production of Les Mis 2013
Denise as Madame Thenadier in Taieri Musical’s production of Les Mis 2013
Denise with Lara (aged 6) in Annie – Taieri Musical 2006
Denise as Miss Hannagan Annie – Taieri Musical 2006
Denise as Madame De La Grande Bouche – The Wardrobe in MTD’s Beauty & the Beast 2006
Team
Denise’s Teachers
Immy Morey
Immy has been a dedicated member of the Denise Henderson School of Tap, Jazz, and Musical Theatre since the age of five. In 2021, she began teaching at the Māori Hill Studio and now proudly leads the branch, overseeing private tap lessons and musical theatre classes.
A highly accomplished dancer, Immy has completed all levels of NZAMD Tap examinations, including Solo Seal, all with distinction. She has earned NZAMD scholarships for every eligible grade and has excelled at competitions nationwide. Career highlights include winning Champion of Champions in both Dunedin and Invercargill, multiple Musical Theatre awards, and the prestigious Vi Stewart Award. Immy also represented Dunedin at the PACANZ National Young Performer Awards in both troupe and solo tap categories, reaching the semi-finals — a milestone moment in her career.
In addition to tap, Immy has trained extensively in ballet, singing, jazz, musical theatre, and aerobics. She has also represented New Zealand internationally in aerobics.
Her stage credits include, The Sound of Music (Marta), A Christmas Carol, Ovation, and The Highlights (Children’s Chorus/All Star Troupe), Footloose and Frozen Jr (Anna) — for which she received an OSTA nomination for best female lead.
Immy is passionate about nurturing young talent and is excited to inspire and guide the next generation of performers through her teaching and love of the stage.
Briar Gager
Briar is in her third year studying Marine Science at the University of Otago. She has been tapping with Denise since she was 9 and has trained in both jazz and ballet and began teaching Denise last year.
She has completed all the original NZAMD tap exams including Solo Seal as well as up to the elementary jazz exam gaining her NZAMD scholarships and is currently working on the grade 8 American exam. In both 2022 and 2024 Briar competed at the PACANZ Nationals for tap, including Denise’s “Anything Goes” tap troupe. She has additionally performed in ‘It’s Showtime’ and ‘Chicago’ with East Otago Musical Theatre.
Briar cannot wait to continue her teaching her wonderful Thursday Musical Theatre class with Denise.
Amelia Ross
Amelia is a graduate from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Music endorsed in drum performance and a minor in education. Her interest in rhythm first started with her passion for tap dance. She started tapping competitively at the age of 9 with Denise and has loved it ever since.
Some highlights from local competitions include winning the Intermediate and Senior Champion of Champions awards, and the Vi-Stewart award. In 2022 Amelia was a nominee and semi-finalist at the National Young Performer Awards, in 2023 was placed in the top 3 at the Auckland Caledonian Dancing Society’s Noel Burnett Awards, and in 2024 was a nominee and finalist at the NZAMD Scholarship Awards. In 2025, New Zealand took a team of dancers to the International Dance Organisation’s World Tap Dance Championships in Prague for the very first time, where Amelia was placed in the top half of dancers in the adult’s section against 45 dancers from across the world.
Amelia has achieved distinction marks of over 95% for all of her tap exam grades, and marks of 100% for original grades 6-9, American grades 3-8, and in her solo performance diploma.
Amelia has enjoyed teaching tap at Denise’s studio since 2022, offering tap exam classes, private tap lessons, and choreography for students. She is excited to continue sharing her love of tap dance with her students!
Ellen Theobald
Teacher
Ellen is studying toward degrees in both Law and History & Politics at the University of Otago. Dancing since the age of five, she has trained in Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Musical Theatre. Ellen began dancing at Momentum Dance Company in Blenheim and moved to Fargher Academy of Dance in Richmond when she began secondary school.
Ellen has been dancing competitively since 2015 and has successfully competed throughout New Zealand and Australia. She has completed NZAMD exams in Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip Hop, including gaining Jazz and Contemporary solo diplomas and various scholarship nominations.
Ellen has been teaching weekly dance classes at her home studio since 2022, and in 2025, when she moved south, she joined the Otago Dance Association as both a dancer and teacher. She has been a part of their Jazz/Contemporary Performance Troupe and played the lead role of Alice in Alice in Wonderland in 2025. Ellen has been elected as the Secretary for ODA in 2026.
Ellen’s teaching experience includes regular classes, choreographing competition solos and duos, teaching and performing at national secondary school performing arts competitions, and ODA weekly classes. Ellen has also performed at Dunedin’s IDD celebrations, Otago Rugby games, Relay for Life, and ID Fashion Week.
Ellen looks forward to sharing her passion for performance with young dancers and watching them and their talent shine.
Summer Johnson
Summer Johnson is a fully registered primary school teacher and educator with training in dance, music, and musical theatre. She trained in tap dance with Denise Henderson for 18 years, starting at age four, completing all tap exams and achieving her NZAMD Solo Seal Diploma and Grade 9 American Tap. Summer competed at PACANZ Nationals in 2016 and 2018 and was a nominee for the 2020 Nationals. She taught tap and musical theatre at the Denise Henderson Studio from 2017–2022.
In addition to tap, Summer trained in jazz for three years with Robyn Sinclair and has continued developing her movement through heels classes in Auckland. Her performance experience includes productions with Taieri Musical, Musical Theatre Dunedin, and Pop-Up Productions, such as Chicago, Heathers, The Highlights, Mary Poppins, and The Sound of Music.
Summer’s musical background includes ten years of classical vocal training with Judith Borrick, followed by three years of contemporary and musical theatre voice with Arlie McCormick. She is also a trained classical pianist, having studied for 18 years with Sandra Dingwall and completed examinations through Trinity College and St Cecilia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and English from the University of Otago and a Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching from Massey University, and has been teaching across Auckland for the past three years.
Chloe Woodhouse
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.
Zoe Mills
Zoe has recently graduated from the University of Otago with a degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition. She has been dancing since the age of 5 and danced at the Tracey O’Dell School of Modern Dance in Tawa Wellington from ages 9 through 18. Zoe has completed all the NZAMD Syllabus in Jazz and Contemporary with high honours and distinction results. Zoe has also attended the NZAMD scholarships for contemporary and completed her solo seal diplomas for both jazz and contemporary in 2021. At age 13 onwards, Zoe started competing in troupes with her studio in both jazz and contemporary. She Attended PACANZ nationals in 2016 and 2018, with a third nomination in 2021 which she was unable to attend due to covid restrictions.
Since moving to Dunedin, Zoe has been an active member of the Otago Dance Association. having taught weekly classes for the club and choreographed pieces for their showcases. For their 2023 show of ‘Titanic’ Zoe was awarded showcase choreographer of the year with her Co-choreographer for their contemporary piece in the show. Zoe have also been on the directing team for the shows in both 2023 and 2024.
Most recently Zoe took part in the Dunedin Fringe festival as a dancer in the show ‘Motion Sickness’ and was included in several pieces in a range of dance styles.
Zoe is super excited to join Denise’s team and meet all our aspiring young jazz students her in classes.
Talia O'Neil
Talia is majoring in psychology and politics at the University of Otago. Talia has been training with Denise Henderson since she was 5 years old, she has trained extensively in tap, ballet, jazz and contemporary in Dunedin and Christchurch.
Talia has performed in ballet and jazz competitions all around New Zealand and Australia. Talia was a part of the Otago Dancers and was privileged to dance at regional and national events with the team. She really enjoyed her time teaching last year and is looking forward to another great year.
Hannah Geary
Trainee Teacher
Hannah is a 13 year old student at Queens High School. She is trained in tap, jazz and musical Theatre with Denise Henderson and ballet with Dunedin School of Ballet. She is also part of Queens High School’s Audacity hip hop crew.
Hannah has appeared in local shows including: The Highlights (All Stars Troupe), Moana Jr (ensemble) and is looking forward to performing in The Lion King Jr and Frozen Jr as part of the ensemble later this year.
Hannah is looking forward to teaching and watching her students grow.
Isla Kamo
Teacher
Isla is a passionate dancer with many years of experience. She has been trained in many dance styles including hip hop, lyrical, and ballet, but she specifically loves tap and jazz. She has been doing tap for 11 years, and has been dancing with Denise since the age of 9. She received NZAMD scholarships for all eligible exams, and was nominated as a soloist to compete at the 2024 PACANZ national young performer awards.
Isla loves performing, with stage credits including The Highlights with the all-stars children’s troupe, Elsa in Frozen Jr (Taieri Musical), Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Trinity Catholic College), Kim Easton in Back to the 80s (Trinity Catholic College), Ariel in The Little Mermaid (Trinity Catholic College), and ensemble in Mamma Mia (EOMT). Film roles include Green Witch and The Man Who Brought the Olympics to Tokyo. Along with her 14 years of dance training, she has also trained extensively in vocal training.
Isla is excited to be sharing her passion for dance with the next generation of successful tap dancers.
Sophie Butson
Teacher
Sophie is 14 years old and goes to Queens High School in Year 10.
Sophie has been dancing tap and performing musical theatre since late 2018 with Denise’s Studio. She has also danced ballet, jazz and hip hop since age 5 and singing from age 11.
Some highlights have included to date:
2025 Top 5 highest Scoring overall at NZDA Alexandra Regional and Top 5 Intermediate, 2024 intermediate champion of champions, 2024 OSTA for Best Supporting Female in Musical – Olaf in Frozen, 2023 Oamaru Performing Arts Most promising vocalist Overall, 2023 Gold Guitars – Highly commended in Vocal Solo,2022 Junior Overall Winner of Country Music Dunedin Awards
She has performed in a number of musicals including : 2022Moana , 2022 Raise your voice Jr, 2023 9 to 5 Jr (Ros) , 2023 Frozen Jr (Olaf), 2024 Fame Jr (Mabel/Miss Bell)2024 13 Jr (Kendra), 2025 Shrek Jr (Princess Fiona) /Sister Act Jr/ High School Musical Jr.
She looks forward to sharing her passion through teaching and her love of musical theatre and dance with the Waverley Juniors.
Lucia Morey
Teacher
Lucia is a Year 10 student at Otago Girls’ High School with a passion for the performing arts. She began tap dancing and musical theatre at age four under the guidance of Denise Henderson and has since flourished into a highly accomplished and dedicated performer.
Lucia has completed all levels of NZAMD Tap Exams, earning outstanding results. She was one of the youngest dancers in New Zealand to achieve her Advanced Tap qualification and has received NZAMD Scholarships for three consecutive years, placing her in the top 5% nationally. Some of her dance highlights include winning the Petite Tap Scholarship at the NZ Dance Awards, performing in the ‘Anything Goes’ Tap troupe at PACANZ and was named runner-up in Champion of Champions in 2025. Lucia is also a NZ rep for Aerobics.
Lucia’s musical theatre credits include performances in Ovation, The Highlights, Future Stars, Moana Jr, Lion King Jr, and Frozen Jr. Her portrayal in Moana Jr earned her an OSTA nomination.
Lucia enjoys her role as assistant teacher in the mini musical theatre programme at the Māori Hill Studio and loves mentoring younger students in the Saturday morning classes.
Stasa Tucker
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.
Jamie Hannagan
Assistant Teacher
in singing, dance, choir and most recently the school production ‘School of Rock’.
Jamie began dancing at age 3 and began with Denise Henderson school of Tap, jazz and musical theatre at the age of 8. Jamie has weekly Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Singing classes.
A highlight of 2025 was winning the Intermediate Tap Championship in the DPACS Tap Competition. Another highlight of 2025 was taking part in a DKCM performance of ‘Revolting Children’ from ‘Matilda The Musical’ at the town hall.
Jamie was very pleased to be asked to be teacher in training of a junior musical theatre class with Denise in 2025.
Amber Dawson
Teacher
Amber is 18 years old and is going into her first year of Teacher’s College at the University of Otago. She has been a dedicated and passionate member of the Denise Henderson Studio of Tap, Jazz, and Musical Theatre since she was six.
She has completed all the original NZAMD tap exams including Solo Seal. She has also completed some of the American syllabus. In 2024, Amber was nominated and competed as a soloist in the tap section and she was a member of Denise’s tap troupe “Anything Goes” in the troupe section at PACANZ.
Amber also has training in Jazz, Singing, and Musical Theatre and has performed in many shows as an ensemble member throughout the years. These include A Christmas Carol, Future Stars, The Highlights, and Frozen Jr.
Amber is excited to share her passion for dance and teaching to guide the next generation of talented young dancers.
Lara Davidson
Lara is currently living in London, she works as an Occupational Therapist and is pursuing professional performance work in the UK. In her spare time Lara is arguably one of the most successful Tap Dancing competitors to come out of her generation.
Winning over 120 championships, DTDS Champion of Champions 7 times, The Dunedin Performing Arts Musical Theatre Award 4 years running, both the Auckland Song & Dance Award at the Auckland Caledonian Competitions twice and The NZ Dance Award Musical Theatre Award. Lara, now in the twilight of her competitive performing time enjoys teaching her own students in the studio for both competitions and exams gaining impressive results. Lara teaches both beginners and the highest grades of NZAMD American Tap syllabus. Balletically and Jazz trained with Chris Rout, Dunedin School of Ballet, Anna Nees and Lizzie Adams Clarke, Lara has extensive experience as both an exam and competition dancer in both ballet and jazz. Gaining Jazz exams, RAD ballet to Intermediate and NZAMD Original syllabus 1-10 including Solo Diploma and American 6,7,8,9.
In 2011 Denise, Lara’s mum sent her to Barbara Hendry for vocal training, this gave Lara an absolutely wonderful foundation in singing and technique, before moving to Arlie Julia in 2016 and additionally Judy Bellingham in 2018. Lara has an impressive list of both vocal competition successes and theatrical credits to her name, including; Molly in Annie (Taieri Musical), Louisa in The Sound of Music (Taieri Musical), Ariel in Footloose and Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes (Bayfield High School), company in Wicked (MTD) and is extremely excited to have been cast in the role of Cossette in MTD’s 2020 production of Les Miserables. Lara is looking forward to expanding her teaching in 2020 to be running the new Jazz programme for the studio.