About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
Every student at Chandler Dance is dear to us. Inside the safe walls of our studio, students are empowered and peers become life-long friends.
Inspired students are supported towards their goals through elegantly structured classes.
We believe in working alongside families for the best of our students.
Our Story
Chandler Dance Academy was established in 2015 to give students and parents the experience they deserve. With the focus on our students in the studio and on stage, we are committed to providing quality dance training through inspiring and inclusive classes. Our staff is comprised of an amazing group of talented professionals, each possessing a wealth of expertise, passion and genuine love of dance and young people. Together, we create an environment that fosters positivity, creativity, ensuring every dancer enjoys transformative and memorable dance experiences.
Meet the Team
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Director / Teacher
Dannielle Chandler
Dannielle is the phenomenal director of cDa. She believes everyone deserves the right to feel confident in who they are and what they can do.
Through positive reinforcement, she encourages students to challenge themselves to improve. Dannielle’s advocacy for young people began during her early dance teaching experiences and through her undergraduate and postgraduate dance studies. Originally from Kapiti, Dannielle began teaching 20 years ago and believes that the hauora of the individual should be at the centre of dance training.
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Teacher
Jill Arkley
Jill is a highly valued freelance ballet teacher who loves to see joy and love of dance instilled in her pupils. A Todd Scholar recipient and NZSD graduate, Jill has opened dance academys in Queensland and Auckland (Auckland Academy of Dance). She cherishes the opportunity to help children of all ages build confidence and develop a lifelong passion for dance and has loved being a part of many dancer's lives and careers.
Teacher
Oranna Blanke
Oranna is a highly valued freelance ballet teacher holding a Diploma in Vaganova Technique. With a passion for enriching lives, Oranna started her dance journey at John Cranko School and went on to dance at Stuttgart Ballet and Ballet Zurich.
From a family intertwined in the arts, her father was a concert master and her mother an opera singer (her sister also owned a ballet school).
Oranna's favoute colour is turquoise and she is subscribed to the Auckland Philharmonic.
Teacher
Simone Beacham
Simone is one of our beloved ballet teachers. A school teacher by day, she loves to connect with students on their dance journey at cDa in the afternoon. Originally from Hastings, Simone moved to Auckland to complete her Bachelor of Dance at AUT (where she met Miss C), became a RAD Registered teacher and went on to gain her Grad. Dip. Primary School Teaching. During this time she taught at a few dance schools on the North Shore and even owned her own ballet school in Takapuna. Miss Simone loves sharing and helping you dancers and the community she works in - the bonus is seeing students and families out and about.
Teacher
Gabriella Croft
Gabriella has a love for ballet and contemporary dance which is evident when she performs. Having being taught by most of the cDa teachers,
Gabriella has now made the transition to be a teacher herself.
Her passion for dance has led Gabriella to do dance competitions, dance exams and choreograph dances for school shows and Christmas Productions.
Passionate about seeing students flourish and reach their potential, Gabriella loves to create a connection with students and feels honoured to be a part of their lives. Fun fact- she is an only child and an AMAZING singer.
Teacher
Gracie Greenough
Gracie’s love affair with dance started 20 years ago, now she shares that love through her teaching.
After a year at NZSD, and completing a Bachelor of Dance, Gracie still lives and breathes dance. She likes to support students through achieving their dance challenges and seeing students confidence grow when expressing themselves through dance.
Teacher
Kaylee Holst
Kaylee is our beloved Tap Teacher and loves to see the joy and pride on students’ faces as they master challenging steps. Completely her Solo Seal Tap exam and competing at NYPA wasn’t enough for Kaylee, she also wanted to pass on her knowledge and love of Tap onto the next generation. As one chapter of her competitive journey ended, another began with the exciting opportunity to teach.
Teacher
Kimberley Mear
Kimberley is passionate about ballet and loves to help students see their progress and improvement in class. She returned a little over a year ago from Melbourne where she trained full time and danced with Victorian State Ballet Company. Kimberley has a certificate IV in dance teaching and management, has completed all of her ballet exams and Solo Seal Contemporary exam and is also a trained STOTT Pilates instructor. Performance is a love and Kimberley has competed in numerous regional, national and international competitions as well as touring a multitude of full length ballets. Kimberley values the opportunity to pass on her passion and enthusiasm on to the next generation.
Teacher
Erin Meek
Our multi-talented, Erin Meek, is passionate about the importance of inclusivity, functional technique, nurturing creativity and expression. Underpinned with her Diploma in Dance Performance (NZSD) and Actor’s Program, Erin frequently works across the performing arts spectrum as a professional dancer, choreographer, actor, and teacher.