| TEACHERS |
Principal/Owner, RAD Junior and Senior ballet, Solo competitions
RAD Junior and Senior ballet, Stretch and Strengthening, Solo competitions
Stephanie began dancing at the age of 7 originally learning BBO tap and solo competition work at Fulton School of Dance. At 11 years she started learning RAD ballet at Donna Nairne School of Dance which was then bought and is now known as Michelle Lucca School of Dance. Stephanie has also studied NZAMD Jazz and NZAMD Contemporary dance, been involved in troupe competitions and for a short time learnt Broken Beat Hip Hop. She is currently working toward sitting her last exams in ballet, jazz and contemporary. In 2006 she started a Bachelor of Dance programme at Auckland University of Technology. After 3 years' study Stephanie graduated in 2008 also receiving her Royal Academy of Dance Registered Teachers Status. She originally started assistant teaching at Michelle Lucca School of Dance before taking over her own classes and has now been teaching there for around 5 years. Stephanie loves teaching ballet and continues to enjoy working for the school.
NZAMD Jazz, Tap and Hip Hop, Solo and Troupe competitions
Sarah began her dance training at the age of 5 as a student of Mount Maunganui Dance Academy in Tauranga. During her time there she completed all grades of the NZAMD Jazz Syllabus, including the Solo Diploma Exam which she sat in 2004. In addition to Jazz she also sat exams in NZAMD Tap and NZAMD Hiphop, as well as taking open Contemporary classes and competing in Solo and Troupe Competitions. From 2000 she studied RAD Ballet at Michelle Lewis School of Dance and later at Gillian Moore School of Dance. From 2003 she was a member of Tauranga Musical Theatre and performed in a number of musicals including the New Zealand Premiere of "Copacabana". In 2005, Sarah moved to Auckland when she was accepted into Auckland University of Technology's Bachelor of Dance programme. She graduated in 2007 and was awarded "The Hilary Peacocke LeMieux Scholarship Award". Sarah has taught at many dance schools over the years and has been teaching for Michelle Lucca School of dance since the beginning of 2009. Her passion is teaching Jazz, Tap and Hiphop and she especially loves choreographing for shows and competitions.
RAD Junior and Senior Ballet, NZAMD Contemporary
Jenny started her dance training at the age of six in Ballet (RAD and BBO), and later on jazz, contemporary, tap, irish and musical theatre through the Dance Education Centre, Tauranga, and competed in numerous dance competitions around New Zealand. She then went on to further her training under Marie Walton-Mahon in Newcastle Australia where she gained her RAD solo seal. In 2002 and 2003 Jenny represented New Zealand at the prestigious International Genee Awards. She was then accepted into the Zurich ballet and completed a season dancing with the Ajkun ballet theatre company. On her return to New Zealand Jenny has continued to teach throughout Auckland as well as completing her degree in Health Science. She is currently undertaking her Masters Degree in Osteopathy and hopes to combine her love of dance and her knowledge of Osteopathy in the near future.
Assistant Teacher- Ballet
Sierra started dancing when she was 11 years old and has done Jazz, Ballet, Rhythmic Gymnastics, and Contemporary dance with Voice Production Company. She then started at Michelle Lucca School of Dance and has been involved in troupe competitions as well as sitting Ballet and Contemporary exams. Last year she sat her Advanced 1 RAD exam and is now working towards her Advanced 2 exam. She is currently in 2nd year at Unitec doing a fulltime degree in Contemporary Dance and is really enjoying it. Sierra loves dancing and teaching and sharing her love of dance with others.
Assistant Teacher-Ballet
Rachael has been dancing ever since she can remember and the older she gets the more she realises just how much she loves it. Rachael started Ballet lessons when she was three and since then has also enjoyed Jazz, Hip-Hop and Contemporary classes. It's been so exciting for Rachael to help teach the girls the exact same exercises she used to do when she was their age! At the moment Rachael is studying Biomedical Science at the University of Auckland, hoping to get into Medical School next year.
Assistant Teacher- Jazz and Ballet
Alex has been dancing for the past 10 years, attending classes in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Hip Hop. She is currently working towards her Advanced One exam in Ballet as well as her Advanced exam in Jazz. Alex represents Michelle Lucca School of Dance in Solo Competitions, dancing in Jazz, Contemporary and Lyrical sections. She is also committed to the dance school's Senior Troupe.