Staff

Students will have a variety of tutors throughout the year, depending on the structure of modules and tutor availability. All tutors are experienced in teaching dance and, as practicing professionals themselves, bring valuable skills and knowledge of performance demands and expectations.

Candice Egan         DIRECTOR

Originally from Melbourne, Candice obtained her Double Bachelor Degree in Arts and Teaching from Deakin University in 2005, with a focus on contemporary dance and theatre. She then taught Performing Arts at Ringwood Secondary School (Melbourne) which included directing and choreographing musical productions and co-leading a world tour.

As a performer Candice has appeared at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, been involved with many musical productions, toured with a Theatre in Education company and has had wide experience with various television, sporting and charity events.

Candice moved to Christchurch in 2009 and as well as appearing on stage for Canterbury Children's Theatre and Repertory has taught for both St Margaret's College and Rangi Ruru Girls' School.

Sheryl Robinson        FOUNDER

After graduating from the New Zealand School of Dance in 1989 Sheryl performed with a number of companies including Manawa Nui, Eric Languet and Dancers, Paul Jenden and Company, Dance Core and Local Weeds. As a choreographer she has had over 15 years of experience in teaching dance to a wide band of age groups and abilities from beginners to industry professionals.

In the mid-1990's Sheryl began teaching dance at Hagley College and brought her interest in all forms of dance into her classes including ballet, yoga and pilates. The College has established a strong record of excellence in dance and Sheryl directed the programmes offered to senior students as well as teaching and choreographing major performance pieces for Hagley Theatre Company.

Sheryl founded Hagley Dance Company in 2000 and sadly passed away in 2010 after a short but brave battle with cancer.

Fleur de Thier               

After completing her training with Auckland Performing Arts (now UNITEC) Fleur spent a number of years freelancing as a professional dancer. In 1998 she established one of Christchurch's leading dance companies, Scrambled Legs and together with Lyn Cotton formed Jolt Mixed Ability Dance Company in 2001.

Fleur is in great demand as a tutor and choreographer and has been involved with teaching curriculum dance at all levels with a number of secondary schools including Rangi Ruru Girls' School and Rudolf Steiner.

Fleur completed a new work for the Christchurch Arts Festival in 2009 with Scrambled Legs and is actively involved with the Body Festival.

Erica Viedma

After graduating from Hagley Dance Company in 2000, Erica went on to complete professional training with UNITEC.

She was a recipient of the Aotea Performing Arts Trust Award in 2002 and graduated from UNITEC in 2004 with senior scholar status.

Since then Erica has worked with a number of notable choroegraphers including Toby Behan, Julia Milsom, Fleur de Thier and Megan Platt. Her professional engagements have included Touch Compass, Scrambled Legs, Cold Harbour White and Commotion Dance Company.

Amy-Leigh Broadstock

Amy-Leigh studied dance with Hagley Dance Company for two years and graduated in 2006.

She has since worked for a variety of companies as a dancer, choroeographer and teacher while also devising and promoting her own independent dance events.

For Amy-Leigh the opportunity to work with Hagley Dance Company allows her to further explore her choreography and promote contemporary dance.

Julia Milsom               

In 2000 Julia was part of our inaugural student intake and went on to graduate from UNITEC in 2003. For the past six years she has been consistently working as a dancer, choreographer and improvisor.

Julia has produced many independent works that have been shown in festivals aorund the country and in 2007, with support from Creative New Zealand she completed an internship with Magpie Music Dance Company in Amsterdam. That same year she was named Female Contemporary Dancer of the Year (The Listener) and in 2009 was named Most Outstanding Performer at the New Zealand Fringe Festival.

In her short career Julia has already worked with many notable dancers and choreographers including Raewyn Hill, Michael Parmenter and Julia Sadler.

Sean James

Graduating with a Performance Diploma from the New Zealand School of Dance Sean has been actively involved in all facets of the dance arena, as a performer, tutor, technician and director. He has danced with the Royal New Zealand Ballet and has also completed national tours of both Chess and Cats. Currently the manager and house technician for the Southern Ballet Theatre, Sean has also been a principal dancer for Southern Ballet as well as a tutor for their schools programme.

Sean is our official photographer and as well as producing stunning images he also creates our advertising material in addition to collating and editing film footage for our popular season, Through the Glass.