Royal Academy of Dance New Zealand

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Royal Academy of Dance New Zealand

Royal Academy of Dance connects and inspires. From studio to stage, through community and creativity

From studio to stage, through community and creativity, we teach the world to dance and share it with you.

08/10/2026

MOVE. CONNECT. BE INSPIRED.

Ready to move, learn and see where dance could take you?

The Royal New Zealand Ballet presents The Boys’ MOVE Programme — a FREE one-day dance intensive created especially for young male dancers aged 11–18.

Join other boys who share your passion for dance and experience what it’s like to train in a professional dance environment. Learn from RNZB male dancers and leading dance teachers, try different styles, discover training and career pathways, and get inspired by the possibilities ahead.

WHAT’S ON?
Get ready for an action-packed day featuring:
• 🩰 Ballet & repertoire
• 🔥 Contemporary dance
• 🎭 Jazz or musical theatre
• 🕺 Hip-hop or other Street Styles
• 🎟️ A guided tour of the theatre and The Sleeping Beauty production set
• ⭐ Meet professional dancers, hear their stories and discover where dance could take you
• 🎭 A FREE ticket to the RNZB performance of The Sleeping Beauty that evening
📅 SAVE THE DATE
Friday 11 December 2026
Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland

FREE OF CHARGE — PLACES ARE LIMITED! Book your place here: https://rnzb.org.nz/for-dancers/the-boys-move
And the best part?

There’s no audition. No competition. No pressure.
COME AND MOVE WITH US.

*The programme and schedule are subject to change. A full schedule will be sent directly to confirmed participants.
Royal New Zealand Ballet

06/10/2026

What a wonderful day with our Wellington Silver Swans on Sunday 4 October.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our sold-out Silver Swans Workshop Day at Te Whaea. It was fantastic to see the studio filled with dancers enjoying a day of movement, music, learning and connection.

Our dancers enjoyed Ballet & Repertoire with Jun Samblaceno, Musical Theatre with Emma Maddock, and Dance Conditioning with Tessa Martin — three very different classes and plenty of opportunities to try something new, be challenged and, most importantly, enjoy dancing together.

Thank you to Jun, Emma and Tessa for sharing your expertise, energy and enthusiasm with our Silver Swans, and a special thank you to Maia Browne for her fabulous demonstrating throughout the day. ❤️

And, of course, thank you to everyone who came along and made the day such a success
And we're not finished yet! Auckland you are next this Sunday and there are still spaces available.

Christchurch — 1 place has come available if anyone wants to join
Rotorua — only a few places remaining
We'd love to see you there!
Find out more and book your place:https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/en-nz/dance-classes-and-workshops/become-a-silver-swan/

05/10/2026

Yesterday was World Teachers’ Day, but we think our wonderful dance teachers deserve more than just one day of celebration. ❤️

Across Aotearoa New Zealand, RAD teachers do so much more than teach steps.

They encourage confidence, nurture creativity, celebrate progress, inspire a love of dance and create studios where friendships and memories are made.

From a dancer’s very first plié to vocational training and beyond, teachers play such an important part in every dancer’s journey.

So, one day late but no less heartfelt, we want to say a huge thank you to all our RAD teachers for the knowledge, passion, patience and care you bring to your students every day.

We’d love to hear from our dance community too, is there a teacher who has made a difference in your dance journey? Give them a shout-out in the comments.

Photo: RAD Registered teacher and examiner Sue Nicholls teaching at Summer School

02/10/2026

Auckland Silver Swans — Shaun is looking forward to meeting you!

We caught Shaun James Kelly in the RAD office and asked him about our upcoming Silver Swans Workshop Days.

Shaun will be teaching Ballet & Repertoire in Auckland and Christchurch — and he has a little message for our Silver Swans dancers.

This Sunday - Wellington is now SOLD OUT
Christchurch 18 October - SOLD OUT
Auckland 11 October — we’d love to see you there!
Rotorua 1 November has just a few places remaining

Join us in Auckland for a wonderful day of dance with:

Shaun James Kelly — Ballet & Repertoire
Rebekkah Schoonbeek — Musical Theatre
Erin Bowerman — Dance Conditioning

Come along, try something different and enjoy a day of dancing and connecting with other Silver Swans.

book now via the link https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/en-nz/event/silver-swans-workshop-auckland/

30/09/2026

Happy International Day of Older Persons 2026

This year’s theme, “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” is a wonderful reminder that living longer should also be about living well.

For our Silver Swans community, dance is about so much more than ballet.

It’s about staying active and strong.
Building balance and confidence.
Connecting with others.
Learning something new.
And, most importantly, continuing to experience the joy of movement at every age.

That’s why we’re delighted that RAD New Zealand is affiliated with ACC’s Live Stronger for Longer programme, supporting the shared goal of helping older New Zealanders stay active, independent and connected.

Today, we celebrate our wonderful Silver Swans dancers and teachers around Aotearoa who show us that there is no age limit on dancing, learning or trying something new.

Here’s to moving, connecting and dancing our way towards longer, stronger lives.

Photo: Bosman Ballet Flow Silver Swans in Christchurch, photo supplied

29/09/2026

Celebrating Anne Rowse FRAD

During our recent celebrations marking 90 years of Royal Academy of Dance examinations in New Zealand, we had the immense privilege of recognising a truly remarkable contribution to dance.

Anne Rowse was presented with an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Dance (FRAD) — one of the RAD’s highest honours, awarded in recognition of outstanding service to the Academy and to the art of ballet.

Anne’s connection with the RAD spans almost the entire history of RAD examinations in New Zealand. She began learning ballet in 1934, aged just two and a half, and sat her first RAD examination in 1937.

After achieving her Solo Seal in 1950, Anne travelled to the UK and went on to become a soloist with London Festival Ballet. On returning to New Zealand, she taught alongside her former teacher Dorothy Daniels before joining the National Ballet School, now the New Zealand School of Dance, where she served as Director for 15 years and played an important role in the School’s development.

Her contribution to dance has continued throughout her life through teaching, leadership, scholarship, writing and service to numerous arts organisations. She remains Patron of the 14+ Dance Scholarship Foundation and in 2001 was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to ballet and dance.

It was especially fitting that the Fellowship was presented by RAD Vice President Li Cunxin, following an introduction from RAD New Zealand National Director Bronwyn Williams, herself a former student of Anne’s.

From a young RAD candidate in 1937 to receiving one of the Academy’s highest honours nearly 90 years later, Anne’s extraordinary connection with the RAD has come full circle.

Congratulations, Anne Rowse FRAD, and thank you for an extraordinary lifetime of service to dance.

27/09/2026

MEET OUR SUMMER SCHOOL 2027 BALLET TUTORS

We’re excited to introduce two exceptional artists joining us in Wellington for RAD New Zealand Summer School 2027.

Tonia Looker
Vocational Ballet Technique & Repertoire

A graduate of The Australian Ballet School, Tonia enjoyed a 10-year career with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, dancing Soloist and Principal roles and touring internationally, before joining Queensland Ballet in 2018. Her extensive repertoire included leading roles such as Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Giselle, Cinderella and Kitri in Don Quixote.

Now a freelance dance teacher and coach, Tonia specialises in technical enhancement and performance coaching and has taught dancers throughout New Zealand and Australia.

Shaun James Kelly
Grades - Ballet Technique

A highly experienced professional dancer, teacher and choreographer, Shaun has enjoyed an extensive career with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, bringing a wealth of professional performance experience, musicality and artistry to his teaching.

A familiar and much-loved face at RAD New Zealand events, we’re delighted to welcome Shaun back to Summer School, where he’ll be working with students in Ballet Technique.

Learn. Be challenged. Be inspired.

Summer School is an opportunity to learn from outstanding industry professionals, develop technique and artistry, make new connections and spend a week immersed in dance.

Find out more information https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/en-nz/dance-classes-and-workshops/summer-school/

25/09/2026

Places are filling fast

Our upcoming Silver Swans Workshop Days are just around the corner, and we’d hate for you to miss out!

Join us for a wonderful day of ballet, repertoire, musical theatre and dance conditioning, with fantastic tutors and the chance to dance, connect and enjoy being part of the Silver Swans community.

Wellington | Auckland | Christchurch | Rotorua

Secure your place today!

Register now:
https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/en-nz/dance-classes-and-workshops/become-a-silver-swan/

22/09/2026

TEACHERS - APPLICATIONS CLOSE 1 OCTOBER!

Thinking about professional development in 2027? The Creina Gee Memorial Award could help make it happen.

Created in memory of RAD Member and examiner Creina Gee, the award provides financial assistance of up to $1,000 towards eligible professional development and training.

It’s a fantastic opportunity if you’re considering:

RAD Summer School 2027 Teachers’ Course
RAD Musical Theatre training
RAD CPD courses
RAD global webinars
Other eligible training that contributes towards Time-Valued CPD hours

Whether you’ve been eyeing up a course, wanting to build your skills in a new area, or hoping to join us at Summer School, this funding could help turn those plans into reality.

📅 Applications close 1 October 2026

Don’t miss out — get your application in before the deadline!

🔗 Find out more and apply:https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/en-nz/about-the-rad/14-dance-scholarship-foundation/creina-gee-memorial-award/

Address

Opening Hours

Monday	08:30 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:30 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:30 - 17:00
Thursday	08:30 - 17:00
Friday	08:30 - 17:00

Telephone

+6443828924

Website

https://nz.royalacademyofdance.org/

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