Judges
I am honoured to be a judge for Dancing for Life Education.
My lifelong journey with dance began during my childhood in Perth. I credit my original ballet teacher who ignited my passion for stage performance initially on children’s television shows, dancing at community events and culminating as a soloist with the West Australian Ballet Company at the age of fifteen. Over the next eight years, I toured throughout Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Performing regularly in the Festival of Perth and Seasons of Ballet was a significant personal milestone.
Sharing my craft through teaching when I relocated to rural New Zealand drew enthusiastic students to train in woolsheds and at a military camp before moving on to Taupo where my creative license flourished in numerous Centre Stage productions. My dancing for life education continues, returning to the ballet studio for weekly sessions with our troupe of “Silver Swans”, an international initiative to improve mobility, co-ordination and energy levels.
This event is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate dance, movement and our community. I applaud the participants, instructors, organisers and crew for their dedication and commitment to ensuring a memorable and entertaining evening.
Breakfast Host of the 93.6 More Fm Taupo Breakfast Club.
Andrew was one of our inaugural dancers in our 2019 event, partnering with Sharon Wiggins and delivering a mean Rhumba. He is no stranger to the spotlight, and will certainly know what a challenge our dancers have in front of them.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to be a judge for this amazing fundraising night of dancing & entertainment for Dancing for Life Education Trust Central Plateau.”
Holly started dancing when she was 5 years old doing jazz, ballet and contemporary. At university she competed in modern jive competitions around the country. She then moved on to West Coast swing where she has competed in New Zealand and abroad. Holly is a senior veterinarian and shareholder at VetPlus. She loves being involved in community events. She has been a previous dance teacher for Dancing for Life Education and has choreographed for and performed in other local charity events. Holly is super excited to be a judge and can't wait to see what wonderful routines this year's couples and teachers put together.
MP for Taupō and Minister for Social Development and Employment, Louise also hit the dance floor to support Life Education Trust Central Plateau in 2019.
Leading a very busy lifestyle, Louise has three teenage children who she loves spending time with along with doing work on her lifestyle block just south of Cambridge.
Louise is very supportive of the work that Life Education does teaching children about making healthy choices in life. She says “Thousands of children have been impacted by Harold the Giraffe and I’m keen to see this work reach more kiwi kids.”
“I have gone outside my comfort zone on several occasions since I became the MP for Taupō, but have to say being a dancer in Dancing for Life Education in 2019 was the scariest. Having been told as a child I was too “big” to do ballet or any form of dancing I really am a beginner. I hope that going well beyond my comfort zone shows others they can “feel the fear and do it anyway.”
