Kellie Schroer - Principal/Director/Choreographer

Kellie began her dancing journey at the age of 6 with her Mother who was a ballet teacher. She later added Jazz, Tap and Musical Theatre to her repertoire. Winning a scholarship at the age of 16 to study at the Victorian College of Arts in Melbourne made it easy for her to decide that dance would be her future.

Over the years, Kellie has enjoyed a successful career as a professional dancer with many jobs in TV, on stage and in theatre. She has been fortunate to travel the world with dance contracts and has worked with Cher, The Bee Gees, David Hasselhoff and the late king of pop Michael Jackson, the highlight of her career.

In 2008, Kellie settled in Cambridge and opened KS School of Dance. Offering a variety of dance styles to children aged 4 - 18, Kellie bases the school on a good ballet technique. "This is a must."

Kellie is a Registered Teacher and holds her 'Fellowship' Teacher's Exam, equivalent to a Masters Degree in Dance. In 2017 Kellie was appointed by the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association) based in the UK, to become a Ballet examiner for New Zealand and Australia.

Meet our Assistant Teachers

Holly Sinton

ASSISTANT TEACHER

Holly began dancing with the KS School of Dance at the age of 5 years old. She has studied, ballet, jazz and hip hop. Holly is currently working towards attending her level 6 hip hop exam and enjoys taking dance as a subject at school.

Last year Holly competed in the KS Showcase and placed 2nd in the solo and due section performing hip hop. She enjoys performing and sharing her passion with others. She wants to help and encourage younger dancers to find their own hip hop style.

Her favourite colour is red and her favourite food is nachos!

Anneliese O'Brien

ASSISTANT BALLET TEACHER

Anneliese began dancing when she was 3 years old - her passion being ballet.

With KS School of Dance she has also studied contemporary and jazz being nominated in 2019 for an NZAMD jazz scholarship and an IDTA ballet scholarship. In 2019 Anneliese gained the highest score for her Advanced 1 ballet exam 94% distinction. She is currently studying toward her pre-associate ballet exam for teaching.

Anneliese loves dancing and says 'Dance class is always the best part of her day'. Her favourite colour is blue, her favourite food is lasagne and her favourite school subject is French.

Hanna Simmonds

ASSISTANT TEACHER

Hanna began dancing at the age of 5 years old. Along with dance she has also studied acro for many years. Successfully attaining her advanced 1 ballet exam in 2019 with distinction she is now busy working towards her pre-associate teachers ballet exam.

Hannah loves teaching, especially assisting with the kindy class and one day hopes to pursue a career in teaching dance. Hanna feels dance is a way of expressing yourself through movement when words are simply not enough.

Her favourite food is sushi and dance genre is contemporary.

Gracie Jolley

ASSISTANT TAP TEACHER

Gracie is a year 12 student at Cambridge High School and began dancing with the KS School of dance when she was 4 years old.

She has studied ballet, jazz, musical theatre and tap - her favourite. Dance has always been a passion for Gracie since she was very little. Constantly striving to achieve higher in her ballet and tap grades she is now currently working towards attaining her classical ballet award two, level eight American tap and studying towards her pre-associate tap exam.

From dance Gracie has formed life lasting friendships, confidence and helped develop her leadership skills. Her favourite colour is green and school subjects are art & music.

Emily Carr

ASSISTANT TEACHER

Emily began dancing when she was for years old with KS School of Dance. She has trained in ballet, jazz and contemporary.

Achieving distinction in all exams - Emily is somewhat of a perfectionist. She is currently studying to take her pre- associate teachers ballet exam this year. Emily loves performing and feels dance is a great way to express yourself. Her wish it to continue on to full time dance training and then become a professional dancer.

Her favourite colour is blue and she loves donuts.

Laura Harnett

CONTEMPORARY TEACHER

Laura hails from Tauranga and has trained in classical ballet, jazz and contemporary. She has attained distinction at every level of exams whilst training. In 2016 after she attained her 'solo performance diploma' she was nominated to attend the NZAMD scholarship classes where she reached the finals. IN 2015 Laura received a nomination to compete in PACANZ - New Zealand Young Performer of the Year Award - she placed in the top 6 out of 70 dancers.

Laura strives for excellence and her level of achievement reflects this.

Liora Saad

STRETCH TEACHER

Liora comes to us from California though she has called New Zealand home for almost 13 years. Liora fell in-love with dance at a young age of 3. She has trained in classical ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary. She discovered yoga at the age of 20 and then became a certified Total Barre instructor in 2017.

Liora's passion for wellbeing and movement comes across in all her classes as she works with the class to improve on their flexibility and strength.

When Liora's not in her studio you can find her at her favourite coffee shop in town where her drink of choice is an almond flat white with a cheese scone on the side.