The staff at JDDC are all experienced qualified teachers in their specialised genres. They are all very active in Musical Theatre and performance work.
We have a policy of encouraging all our students in a professional and caring manner while nurturing them to grow with confidence to achieve their goals.
Senior students are invited to start their training in a Junior teacher programme working along side Sharon as assistants.
Miss Nicole
Nicole tutors Jazz, Hip Hop and an Adult group. She is qualified through to her advanced levels in AJDA. Nicole frequently performs in reviews and is choreographer for junior theatre productions.
"I have been part of the teaching staff at JDDC for 9 years. I love the confidence and enjoyment our pupils get from class. I believe in giving every student a solid dance education, guiding them to reach their full potential while unlocking their creative side."
Miss Gemma
Gemma tutors the Contemporary classes. She is a qualified teacher and enjoys the creative process of working with students and choreography. Gemma is extremely excited to be taking Baby Boomers classes.She also teaches dance in many school programmes in Masterton.
"I love seeing the next generation of students discover themselves in the world of dance. The essence of joy in every dancer, their enthusiasm and bravery inspires me to be more creative. I aspire to create a nurturing and positive environment where they can feel confident enough in themselves to take chances and be the best version of themselves, because they can."
Miss Jonelle
Jonelle returns to the teaching team as the Classical Ballet teacher.She is a qualified teacher and enjoys the challenges and disciplines Ballet requires. We are delighted to have her skills and talent included in the options available to our students.
“I love being in the space with students learning to be creative and expressive and sharing a joy of dance. I have studied many years of Ballet and Contemporary, completing a Bachelor of Dance whilst dancing with Company Z under artistic director Timothy Gordon. I am looking forward to creating a positive, nurturing environment for students to express themselves through dance.”
Pamela Robinson
I am honoured and proud to be the Music/Singing Tutor at The Jazz Dance and Drama Centre.
From a young age, I have enjoyed playing a variety of instruments and singing in various choirs. My passion as a child, teenager and adult was to sing and act on the stage. Music teaching is something I am very passionate about. I love to share my and knowledge with people of all ages.
I have the best job in the world teaching piano, clarinet, saxophone, ukulele and group singing, as well as class music Y1-Y13. I also enjoy the range of genres I teach for Chamber Group, Jazz Band, Rock Band and Ukulele Band and I also play in our local community orchestra.
In 2020 I tutored 4 singing groups that included Starjam, Solway College All Comers, Solway College Soul Singers and of course our wonderful Broadway Jazz students at JDDC.
I look forward to every Musical Theatre Production at the studio. I encourage the students to “set themselves up for success” and the high standard of our shows displays their commitment to achieving that.
Miss Sharon
As well as being the Owner/ Director of the busy Jazz Dance and Drama studios, Sharon is a previous Co-Director of the American Jazz Dance Affiliation [AJDA] and runs Phoenix International Dance Workshops.
Sharon has built up the studio business from scratch 40 years ago. She wears many caps as a spin off from her huge interest and passion for Dance and Musical theatre.
Representing AJDA Sharon has been an International Dance Examiner for over 30 years. This has required her to travel to Australia, England, Spain and America. She has also tutored at workshops throughout New Zealand and Australia.
Phoenix International Workshop is the biggest NZ annual Dance convention that involves over 1000 dancers nationally. The two day workshops feature top Choreographers from LA and Australia. Sharon and her business partner own this company are responsible for the total organisation involved in putting on these events.
Prior to becoming a Director of the AJDA, Sharon worked extensively as a Musical Theatre Director. She has worked as a tutor for the National Youth Drama School and many years ago as a Television Make up artist. Sharon’s training over the years has included all facets of Dance and Theatre work Her time now is mainly focused on the American Jazz Dance Affiliation and its continued commitment to keep New Zealand dancers and Teachers up to date and in contact with the International dance scene.
The studio productions will from 2021 be twice yearly as they have become so popular. The huge challenge logistically to keep working as one show with the huge amount of pupils involved has become difficult. So this will be an exciting year.
When Directing Sharon believes her job is to make sure the experience is fantastic for everyone. She does this by making sure the cast is fully drilled and confident in their work, the choreography slick, the lighting and effects magical, the costumes exciting and the music appropriate.
Sharon uses this belief and her vast knowledge to give those that dance with The Jazz Dance and Drama Centre a special experience.
All staff are supported to continue their training by attending any courses and dance events that are available to them. We encourage an open mind to new trends in the dance industry while maintaining a strong technical base to all our teaching. This ensures a vibrant but safe training base ensuring that young bodies are working in a “dance safe” way.
Students training in all genres are assessed and advised on any anatomical or health issues that may affect their rate of achievement and enjoyment.
Sharon is always available to discuss your child's needs and how best we can help to make the outcomes positive on all sides.
