DEVONPORT
SCHOOL OF DANCE TEACHERS
Emily Summerville
Principal, Preschool and Silver Swans Teacher
BDance AUT University, RAD R.T.S, PBT Certified Teacher, Silver Swans Licensee
​Emily is the Principal and owner of Devonport School of Dance and began her dance training in Timaru at The Timaru Dance Studio, sitting examinations in NZAMD jazz, hip hop, contemporary and RAD ballet. She then moved to Auckland, completed a Bachelor of Dance at AUT University and received the Top Academic Scholar award in 2013. Emily also gained her Royal Academy of Dance registered teaching status alongside this degree.
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Emily spent a year in Melbourne dancing full time, completing The Edge Certificate of Commercial Dance and Performance at The Edge Performers School. Here and throughout her years of dancing, Emily trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, tap, lyrical, commercial jazz, musical theatre, drama and singing. She has also performed in musical theatre productions with the South Canterbury Drama League and the North Shore Music Theatre.
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Emily has taught dance in Timaru, Melbourne and more recently, in various primary schools and dance studios around Auckland. She is experienced in teaching ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, tap, musical theatre, pre-school dance, adult dance, competition solos, duos and troupes. Being able to do what she loves and share her passion for dance, Emily considers her job to be the best!
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She absolutely loves teaching the Devonport School of Dance students and watching them develop their skills, confidence and love of dance.
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Miss Emily is currently on maternity leave but will still be managing the studio and carrying out administration.
Arini Going
Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Adult Barre Fitness & Competition Teacher​
Diploma in Musical Theatre, Apollo Theatre School & ADJA Jazz Teaching Certificate
Arini has an extensive background in both performing and teaching in all forms of dancing. She has been teaching for over 15years and has been a freelance dancer performing with Diamond Dance, Candy Lane and Soul of Siren. Arini has a teaching certificate in ADJA jazz, Diploma in Musical Theatre from the Apollo Theatre School.
CLAIRE BARRETT
Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary Teacher
Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts Majoring in Contemporary Dance, UNITEC
Claire Barrett began dance at an early age, studying creative dance at the Van Zon school of dance, she then studied Jazz and Ballet at Auckland West Dance Academy.
In 2001 Claire graduated from Unitec with a Bachelor of performing and screen arts, with a major in contemporary dance.
Since 2001 Claire has worked as a freelance dancer, dance teacher, children's entertainer and actor, both here in New Zealand and in Europe.
JENEEN COLMER
Ballet Teacher
BDance, RAD R.T.S, Post Grad Dip Teaching (Sec)
Jeneen has been teaching for over 15 years and is passionate about passing her knowledge on to her students to bring out the best dancer they can be.
Her journey started with Ballet lessons at three years old, sitting exams all the way through to the vocational level. After gaining teaching experience at the local after school centre, she then studied Dance at Auckland University of Technology where she gained her RAD Ballet teaching qualifications along side her Bachelor of Dance. This was followed by another year of study to become a Secondary School Teacher of Dance.
Over a decade later she has a wide range of experience teaching all ages both in the private and public dance sector.
JESSICA OPACIC
Ballet Teacher
RAD R.T.S, Diploma in Dance (Performance), Certificate in 3 and 4 in Fitness.
Born in Auckland, Jessica Opacic ARAD studied RAD Ballet, JDNZ Jazz and BAL Tap until she moved to Melbourne to further her dance education as a full-time student. During these studies, Jessica was offered a contract with Black Grace Dance Company and joined them for their 2007 tour of their work 'Amata' before completing her qualification.
Jess’s qualifications include a Diploma in Dance (Performance), Certificate 3 and 4 in fitness and a Diploma in Dance Teaching Studies (Distinction) with the RAD.
Jess has worked extensively with The Australian School of Performing Arts, toured internationally through Europe, America and Hong Kong as choreographer for the Australian Girls’ Choir and worked with Aboriginal Youth in remote towns in Australia.
Jess is an approachable and committed dance teacher with a particular love for classical and contemporary ballet and believes the arts are a vital aspect of education. Her dedication to fostering young dancers had led her to join Meghan Rowe with a joint vision of providing performance opportunities for young dancers in a collaborative environment through their youth company The Classical Collab.
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Ha'nah Mai Steveni
Acro Teacher
Ha'nah was a rhythmic gymnast for 10years and has been a dancer for 6 years. She has a passion for teaching and has been coaching gymnastics and dance since she was 12 years old. She loves being able to see all the children progress and grow as the time goes by and is super excited to teach at Devonport School of Dance!
Gabriella Day
Preschool, Acro and Ballet Teacher
More information coming soon
George Smith
Tap Teacher
More information coming soon