TEACHING FACULTY
Our team of talented teachers are part of what make our studios so special. Each teacher brings a unique skill-set and personality to class, whilst still upholding our high standard of dance education. All of our teachers are trained in our chosen syllabi, and receive mentorship from our studio director.
Miss Catie - Studio Founder/Owner, Ballet and Jazz
Catie was born and raised in the Coromandel Peninsula where she completed the majority of her classical dance training under ex-RNZB principal ballerina, Pauline Germon.
Prior to opening Bloom, Catie had been teaching dance professionally for a number of years, working for some of Auckland’s leading dance schools teaching a range of different age groups and dance disciplines including ballet, jazz, contemporary and specialised strength and conditioning programs. She quickly discovered a lack of dance classes in her local area of Parnell, prompting the establishment of Parnell School of Dance in 2018. After successfully building her student base in Auckland, she opened a second studio in her hometown of Thames and rebranded as the collective Bloom Academy of Dance.
Catie enjoys the creative challenge that comes with working with young dancers; teaching classes that incorporate the core foundations of movement and dance, whilst also providing an opportunity to use imagination and creative expression. She has been teaching pre-school dancers for many years, and takes pride in her ability to connect with young dancers in a kind, calm, and encouraging way. Her Tiny Dancers pre-school dance program has been delivered in early childhood centres and pop-up workshops in and around the Auckland region.
Aside from dance, Catie is a qualified pilates instructor having completed her Certificate IV in Mat & Reformer Pilates and STOTT Pilates Barre and pre/postnatal qualification. Catie is passionate about continuing professional development often attending training and seminars to further her knowledge in the field of dance and movement. This includes the Professional Development Teachers Seminar through the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Teaching Tools through the NZ School of Dance, and ongoing training through the Royal Ballet School in the UK.
Associations: Affil A.T.O.D Teacher, APDA Registered Teacher, Royal Ballet School Primary Steps on Demand Provider, Cert IV in Pilates, STOTT Pilates Barre Certification.
Miss Neve - Ballet, Jazz and Acro
Neve has recently moved to New Zealand from the UK where she had been a dance teacher for 7 years. Neve studied dance in higher education after developing her skills from the age of just 4. She has a wealth of experience teaching ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics and performance throughout a number of schools and dance schools within the UK. For her, each lesson should be about progressing and most of all having fun.
Miss Ronja - Ballet and Jazz
Ronja has been dancing for over twenty years and has trained in various genres, including jazz, ballet, contemporary and lyrical. She has completed her NZAMD Solo Diplomas at a Distinction level and was a finalist in the NZAMD Scholarship awards.
Special dance highlights for Ronja include being a corporate dancer for Kathryn Wilson, and being selected to dance at events like Breast Cancer Cure and New Zealand Fashion Week. Also, she worked for Prada at the 36th America’s Cup for Prada COR and presented medals at the prizegiving, which was an experience of a lifetime!
Along with dancing, Ronja has taught dance to children aged 2 - 18 for nine years across Auckland (NZAMD and APDA). She is a qualified Barre instructor. Ronja is passionate about teaching and hopes to develop each students love for dance in her classes.
Currently, Ronja is completing a bachelor in Law (Hons) and Global Studies conjoint degree at the University of Auckland. She has just returned from a year studying abroad in the UK and in Paris (Sciences Po), and is so excited to get back to dance teaching!
Are you our next teaching superstar?
We are currently seeking passionate, experienced dance teachers to join our teaching team on a permanent, part-time basis. We are a growing dance school located in the suburb of Parnell. We specialise in delivering high quality dance education in small group environments. Our aim as a dance school is to create a warm, kind, and encouraging learning atmosphere for all of our students, whilst also ensuring we teach reputable, industry standard syllabi. We are looking for teachers who have experience in one or more genres of dance, are open to learning and teaching our studio syllabus, and who are passionate about a career in the performing arts. Whilst our preference is to hire experienced teachers, we are open to training a junior level teacher. As this role entails working with children under the age of 5, we are specifically seeking teachers who have a great rapport with preschool and primary-aged ballerinas. Whilst working for us, you will be supported, encouraged, and challenged to evolve and grow as a teacher. To help you achieve this, we will provide you with ongoing training opportunities, an excellent hourly rate, and a warm and welcoming work environment. To succeed in these roles, you must have an authentic and confident teaching style, the ability to teach students ranging in age and ability, commitment and loyalty to the studio, and a genuine passion for dance and movement. Interested? Email Catie at hello@bloomacademyofdance.com to express your interest/apply.