Louise learned ballet for many years (both Royal Academy of Dance and British Ballet Organisation) and LOVED it…but sometimes hated the classes and their rigid structure. Her aim is to encourage kids to have fun and get to know dance the way they should – on their own terms. Still a passionate lover of ballet, a favourite childhood keepsake is her first pair of pointe shoes (ouch!) By day she is a government Senior Advisor, and by night she balances studying for a Masters degree with binge-watching TV shows, reading books, and drinking too many cups of tea.

April started dancing in Perth, Western Australia, when she was four – many, many pirouettes ago. She studied classical and jazz ballet, worked as a professional dancer/choreographer and has run her own ballet school. April and her Kiwi husband moved back to NZ to kick back and retire but April thinks she still has a few high kicks left in her!

Ayreen studied ballet (RAD) until the age of 21 and has also dabbled in tap, contemporary, and salsa. She began attending adult ballet classes again in early 2015. Having re-discovered the self-awareness, energy and joy dance brings, she’s excited to share that experience with the kids of Wellington. She has worked  in community development, venue and event management and currently works in arts administration. Ayreen likes baking, marshmallow-making, crochet, parrots, and dressing up.

Louise L had the good fortune to study ballet full time at the NZ School of Dance and then the Royal Ballet School in London. After graduating and a short stint with the Birmingham Royal Ballet she returned home and decided to go to university instead of continuing to pursue a ballet career. After working in the public sector and having two children she now volunteers with the Community Comms Collective. It was a no brainer to get involved with Ballet is for Everyone as it combines past and present passions – ballet, children, and volunteering. A win win win!

Charlotte learned RAD ballet for 14 years growing up, as well as contemporary, jazz and hip-hop. After a decade off, she’s returned to ballet in recent years and realised the joy it gives her in a less stressful environment. She believes creative expression through dance shouldn’t be limited to children of particular gender expressions, ability levels, or body types, or to those whose parents can afford it. She is a freelance writer and journalist who also works for a non-profit.

Katie is a research analyst and mum to a fun and active two year old. She would love her son to have the same opportunities and fun that she had growing up, and to be able to reconnect with her own love of dance. Katie was lucky enough to start ballet classes when she was just three. There she met her oldest friend and together they learned ballet for the next 11 years. Katie also loves contemporary dance and gymnastics (It’s like riding a bike right?!). Outside of work Katie volunteers for Mother’s Network, is a member of Wellington Timebank and daydreams about writing a book and changing the world.

Jess is a former sexual health educator and nonprofit manager who now works in tech. She grew up taking ballet and contemporary dance lessons and credits them with her ability to be spectacularly klutzy without injury as an adult. An avid theatre-goer, she is passionate about expanding access to the arts. In her spare time, Jess enjoys cheese, puppies, craft beer, elaborate fundraisers, knitting, and dismantling patriarchal gender norms.

Tamara is a former dancer who danced competitively across the wellington region and wider New Zealand for many years. She has trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary and hip hop. She is currently working as a qualified nanny as well as part time in retail. Tamara has a real passion for working with children as well as dance and saw this opportunity and decided it was something she wanted to support.

Jack started ballet in preschool, picked up jazz a couple of years later, and only stopped dancing when knee problems struck in his mid-teens. He hopes to encourage kids to love moving and discovering what they can do as dancers; and to show that there’s no one type of person who can be a ballet dancer. Jack works as a freelance writer and copy-editor; a job that fits nicely around refereeing rugby and playing indoor cricket.