If you are looking for Partner Dance Lessons in 2025 you have come to the right place. I am qualified to Fellowship standard with the South Australian Teachers of Dance and the New Zealand Federation of Teachers of Dance. I teach:
Ballroom (Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep and Viennese Waltz),
Latin American (Rumba, Cha Cha, Samba, Jive and Paso Doble) ,
New Vogue ( such as the Merrilyn, Gypsy Tap, Tangoette, Swing Waltz plus the rest of them including The Presidents Daughters Waltz) ,
Classical Sequence, which was Old Time (such as the Veleta, Mayfair Quickstep, Saunter Reve, Tango Solair plus the rest of them),
Modern Sequence and I am also qualified as a Ceroc/Modern Jive Teacher.
I’ve choreographed theatre shows, many formation teams and performance show cases. I’ve competed in Pro-Am comps both with an amateur male lead and dancing same sex as lead with an amateur female follow. I love teaching aerials and tricks and I have a passion for teaching adult beginners. Whatever your reason for wanting to learn to dance I’m sure I can help.
A little Modern Jive
I also teach Wedding couples.
Meet Jeff and Allie who were married in January 2025.
“We came to Elly super excited about our wedding day, but nervous about the first dance. We’re both shy, and not ones for the spotlight. Our inhibitions and lack of confidence were easily swept away by Elly giving us confidence, and some pretty sweet moves to pull out on the night. Our first dance turned from something that we feared into a highlight of the night thanks to the commitment, patience and confidence that Elly showed in her lessons. “
Jeff and Allie had fortnightly lessons to fit with their family commitments and brought their two children to every lesson.
Wanting to learn social partner dancing?
There are many couples social dancing really well in our city. There are options for lessons in all kinds of styles. However, not everyone wants to attend regular lessons or group classes. However it IS possible to get just a little bored with what you already know or lead, or you might want to learn a new New Vogue dance in a way thats much easier than following another couple on the floor.
So if all you need is a few new moves you can use – or a little confidence to help you get out onto the floor please call or email, I’m sure I can help and I do promise that we will have fun. As one of my new couples said “…its great to try something new and we both (think) you are an amazing passionate teacher”.
The best day for occasional lessons is Sunday in Bureta, however there are often other times free during the week.
I have just started a “Ladies who Latin” class on Wednesdays 11.00am – 12 noon at St Columba’s Church hall in Cherrywood. The classes do have a technical aspect and we are working on a routine. This is a 6 week series focusing on one dance at a time. There is a great group of women of all ages, some with experience and some who have none. If you need more information about the NEXT series, starting on Wednesday 5th of March get in touch.
December performance
My Tuesday Group Class performed as part of the Tauranga Over 50’s Ballet studio Christmas performance. It was a great experience for the six couples to prepare a Rumba routine to be danced on a stage. They did very well and I was so proud of them.
In addition, one of my couples performed a solo waltz routine. Normal partner waltz travels anti clockwise around the edges of a bigger space, so preparing something for a smaller space with a single audience focus was a challenge. Loads of fun though.
Wedding couples
I am always amazed by the music choices couples use for their First Dance/Wedding Dance. Caleb and Catherine said:
Thank you for making our wedding day magical.
Its easy to create a “magical” first dance when the music they wanted was …
Its always best to dance to a song that means something to you both or one that has suitable lyrics. Even if all you want is a single lesson I can help you look a little more comfortable on your big day. If this sounds like you get in touch.
My Tuesday Group Class is performing this Saturday as part of the Tauranga Over 50’s Ballet studio Christmas performance. Its been a great experience for the six couples to prepare a Rumba routine to be danced on a stage. Wish us luck.
This year I have had the honor to teach a wonderful group of couples their First Dance/Wedding Dance. Their music choices have been amazing. Its always best to dance to a song that means something to you both or one that has suitable lyrics. I’ve been introduced to some new artists too, and been able to create something fresh and new to music I’ve been asked to choreograph to before. Even if all you want is a single lesson I can help you look a little more comfortable on your big day.
New Group Class in 2025
From Sunday 12 January I will be offering a new 6 week group class for couples who want to learn to dance together. These group classes are from 5.00pm to 6.00pm in Bureta and will cover 1 Latin dance and 1 Ballroom dance over the 6 week block. Each lesson in the series builds on the previous ones so I don’t accept new students after the series starts. If you are interested send me an email or phone for more details.
New “Ladies/Follows who Latin” class in 2025
From Wednesday 22nd of January I will be starting a “Ladies/Follows who Latin” class on Wednesdays 11.00am to 12 noon at the St Columba Church in Cherrywood. This will also run in 6 week blocks and will cover one Latin American dance per series. Again, each lesson in the series builds on the previous ones so I rarely accept new students after the series starts. If you think this might be just what you need to look forward to in 2025 send me an email. I promise a fun class with a good dollop of technique.
Dance Company will be closed from Sunday 22nd of December and I am back teaching from the 5th of January.
I receive the nicest comments from the couples I have the pleasure of working with:
“Just wanted to let you know we pulled our dance off brilliantly! The guests were incredibly impressed that we’d been to dance lessons and couldn’t believe my husband picked it up so easily! We had a lot of fun and were so proud we nailed it! Thanks so much for your choreography and positive teaching.” L&C
“The wedding was amazing and we surprised everyone with our dance. They all absolutely loved it and were so impressed! Thank you for your patience and crafting a dance that suited us, you really made learning easy and fun. Definitely a memorable experience and I’m so glad we did it.” K&N
Right now there are still a few lesson times free in December so if you want some help with your wedding dance do call or email.
I have one last 6 week group class starting on the 12th of November for dancing couples with some experience. These group classes are from 7.30pm – 8.30pm and cover 1 Latin dance and 1 Ballroom dance over the 6 week block. Each lesson in the series builds on the previous ones so I don’t accept new students after the series starts. If you are interested send me an email or phone for more details.
Dance Company will be closed from Sunday 22nd of December and will be back teaching from the 5th of January.
Looking for just a little help with your social dancing or first dance?
There are many couples social dancing really well in our city. Not everyone wants to attend regular lessons or group classes. However it IS possible to get just a little bored with what you already know or lead, or you might want to learn a new New Vogue dance in a way thats much easier than following another couple on the floor.
PLUS not every couple wants a fully choreographed wedding routine. You might just want a few moves and variations that you can use both at your big day or at any other social occasion when dancing might happen. Just like Alice and Jamie.
In Jamie’s case dancing in public, even in front of friends and family, was something he really wasn’t looking forward to. So he came to a few lessons by himself, not to learn a routine or steps, but to gain enough confidence so he could take Alice out on the floor.
They said “it went well and it wasn’t long before (our) parents stepped in. Thank you so much for your time and confidence building!”
So if all you need is a few new moves you can use – or a little confidence to help you get out onto the floor please call or email, I’m sure I can help and I do promise that we will have fun.
The best day for occasional lessons is Sunday in Bureta. I can either teach you some moves that work well with any music or some that match the music you want to dance to.
If you are looking for dance lessons you have come to the right place. I am qualified in Ballroom (Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep and Viennese Waltz) Latin American (Rumba, Cha Cha, Samba, Jive, Paso Doble) New Vogue ( such as the Merrilyn, Gypsy Tap, Tangoette, Swing Waltz plus the rest of them including The Presidents Daughters Waltz) and Classical Sequence, which was Old Time (such as the Veleta, Mayfair quickstep, Saunter Reve, Tango Solair plus the rest of them) and I also qualified as a Ceroc/Modern Jive Teacher. I’ve choreographed theatre shows, many formation teams and performance show cases. I love teaching aerials and tricks and I have a passion for teaching adult beginners.
A little Modern Jive
I also teach Wedding couples.
Kerry and Brian are heading home in a week to get married and show off their new skills to their friends and family.
Our wedding dance lessons with Elly were nothing short of exceptional! From the moment we met her, we knew we were in great hands. She was incredibly personable, making us feel comfortable and at ease. Her teaching style was clear, patient, and tailored to our abilities, which made learning so enjoyable. She worked with us to create a dance that was perfect for our special day, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. Thanks to Elly, we felt confident and excited to perform. We highly recommend Elly to anyone looking for a fantastic dance instructor!
Kerry & Brian
If you and your partner are interested in having some wedding dance lessons, do book them in advance – that means one less thing to worry about closer to the actual day.
And, if you want to learn some social partner dancing also give me a call or email.
