Offering private coaching for aspiring Classical Ballet dancers. No dance classes available currently.
Founder and Director Kathleen-Malee Smith trained in Christchurch NZ, gaining her final ballet exam, RAD Solo Seal award, at only 15 years of age under Ann Judson. She then travelled overseas to train in Monte Carlo, Banff, Hamburg and London as well as participating in the Prix de Lausanne and Varna ballet competitions. A contract offer in Germany saw her remain overseas and from 1992 she was a p
rofessional classical ballet/contemporary dancer with the Dresden SemperOper Ballet where a varied repertoire, guest choreographers, international guest artists and world reknown ballet masters provided a platform for personal artistic growth. An offer to become a founding member and soloist of the Thoss Tanz Kompanie saw Kathleen move to Kiel and subsequently the State Opera House in Hannover as first soloist/principal, with German Choreographer Stephan Thoss. Within this period the company toured Europe, performed in galas including the world reknown Bayreuther Festspiele and Hamburg Ballet's Nijinsky Gala and premiered a vast number of pieces, many of which are now in the repertoire of international ballet companies. Since returning to New Zealand Kathleen danced with Footnote, completed a BA and attained her Certificate in Tertiary Teaching from AUT University; she also taught part-time on the AUT Bachelor of Dance programme as lecturer and rehearsal director for the AUT BDance Company, adjudicated ballet competitions and taught Master Classes. She currently tutors Classical Ballet for Unitec's Bachelor of Performing Arts, Contemporary Dance. The Dancer in Development programme achieved a 100% success rate with students accepted into New Zealand School of Dance, Rambert, English National Ballet School, Queensland Ballet Academy and European School of Ballet.
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