Dance Company will be closed from Thursday 26th June with lessons resuming on Tuesday 5 August. Its time for my annual holiday to somewhere warm.
Do send me an email if you are interested in any of the teaching options I have available, I wont be able to respond to phone calls.
Lesson options from August
Group Classes – these are planned to continue on Sunday 6pm and Tuesday 7.30pm. They run over 6 weeks and generally you need to bring a partner. They cover 1 Latin dance and 1 Ballroom dance over the 6 week block. Each lesson in the series builds on the previous ones. If you are interested send me an email for more details. I like to keep the lesson numbers low – around 6-8 couples.
Private Lessons – If you are interested in regular or occasional lessons in ballroom, latin, new vogue and even classical sequence and modern jive do email and check availability. I dance lead and follow so all aspects of the dances are covered if you don’t have a partner.
I also am available to take 2/3 couples in a private lesson hour if you want to learn to dance with friends or family. This works well if you have a special occasion coming up, if you are just a little bored with what you already know or lead, or if you want to learn a New Vogue dance in a way that’s much easier than following another couple on the floor.
“…its great to try something new and we both (think) you are an amazing passionate teacher”..
Wedding dances – I always advise that having your choreography done at least 2 weeks before the big day gives you one thing less to stress about. You can also learn your choreographed wedding dance well in advance and come back for a final run through before your wedding – and that works well for some couples. Do consider booking your wedding dance lessons in advance – that means one less thing to worry about closer to the actual day.
Practice – Every fortnight I offer a Sunday practice – 6.00pm – 7.30pm, $5 per person at the St Johns Church Hall 94 Bureta Rd. This is a chance to dance those moves you know, and ask any questions. Its very relaxed and covers off any of the ballroom, latin, new vogue, classical sequence, modern jive etc dances that couples want to go over. The last one before the holiday is the 15th of June and the next post holiday one is 10th of August.
Chair and Floor based Stretch and Strengthening class
I was looking for a class for myself to balance the dance teaching I do and I was delighted to find this class. Its suitable for everyone to join no matter what fitness level you have. $70 for 5 classes or $120 for 10 classes. Term 3 starts 14th July – 19th September. Fridays 10.30 – 11.30 at the Bethlehem Community Hall. Please email Michelle at: over50sballet@gmail.com to register.
Have a wonderful July – and I hope to see you in August
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.
