Teachers

Sinead trained extensively in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical and Musical Theatre while a student at the Valerie Lissette School of Dance. She began teaching Ballet and Jazz classes at the studio while attending University.

Sinead is a fully registered Royal Academy of Dance ballet teacher, having completed her ‘Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies’ under the mentorship of Valerie. She also teaches our Jazz classes and has had several students achieve the highest examination marks in NZ. In 2020 she gained the Progressing Ballet Technique certification and introduced these classes to the studio.

In 2024 Sinead bought the studio and is proud and excited to continue the 47 year legacy that Valerie has created. Sinead’s passion for dance continues to inspire the next generation of dancers.

Valerie is a fully registered teacher and a life member of the Royal Academy of Dance.

Valerie established the Dance School in 1976 and after 47 years of teaching she has sold the business to Sinead, who will make her mark on the studio. Valerie will still teach our Silver Swans classes and help when necessary.

Valerie is very proud that some of her dancers are now the teachers within the studio.

Rebecca started her dance training in the UK. She joined the Valerie Lissette School of Dance as a student when she moved to New Zealand.

She trained in Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical and Musical Theatre and completed exams in RAD Ballet, TDI Tap and AJDA Jazz.

Rebecca has been teaching our Tap classes for over 15 years. Her expertise, precision and clever choreography is enjoyed by all her students. She is also our Junior Competition Troupes teacher and our qualified Acrobatic Arts instructor.

Rebecca is also a mum to two beautiful children but still manages to find time to share her love for dance with us all.

Jodie was a pupil at the Valerie Lissette School of Dance and later continued her dance studies at the East Auckland Performing Arts School. She has qualifications in Theatre, Modern Dance, Ballet, Tap, Dance History and Human Anatomy and spent time performing in musical cabaret shows for P&0 Cruises Australia.

Jodie is our Pre-School Queen – all of our tiniest dancers and their families love her classes, her care and attention to detail is appreciated by all. In 2023 Jodie also gained her Progressing Ballet Technique certification and enjoys teaching this work to our students.

She has three wonderful children who all dance – we are super proud to have the whole James family as part of our VLSD family!

Vicki has trained in Tap, Jazz, Ballet and Contemporary dance and completed teaching examinations as well as achieving a Bachelor’s degree in Dance and Commercial Dance Training.

She has performed internationally and continues to work in a creative capacity for local dance projects – most recently she has choreographed Riverlea Theatre’s production of Mamma Mia.

Vicki is a mum to three young children but finds time to put on her tap shoes and come in to teach our adult tappers.

Emily has been dancing for more than 15 years in various styles including Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet and Musical Theatre.

She has trained under many well known teachers and companies across New Zealand and Australia and is excited to pass on her knowledge to her students.

Emily has been teaching since she was 14 years old and loves it! She completed her AJDA syllabus exams and Solo Seal at 17 years old, and also holds her RBM Hip Hop teaching certificate.