HANNAH BAGSHAW (BA,FIDTA)

Hannah began her dance training with Taisia Missevich in Christchurch where she trained in the R.A.D. syllabus up to Advanced level. She then went on to attend the New Zealand School of Dance in Wellington, where she was awarded a Diploma in Dance Performance. During her career as a professional ballet dancer Hannah performed with the European Ballet in London, the Santamaria Compania de Danza in Madrid and the Nordharzer Stadtebundtheater Halberstadt (Halberstadt City Theatre) in Germany.

She began her dance teaching career at the resident ballet school of Ballet Pforzheim in Germany. Since returning to New Zealand, she has been teaching ballet, jazz and creative dance at the Garden City Dance Academy. Hannah is a Fellow of the International Dance Teacher’s Association. She was awarded the Giles Bursary Award for Theatre for the best core subject Associate candidate in 2012 and the John Knight Award for the highest marks internationally in her Fellowship Ballet exam in 2019. She also has a Bachelor of Arts (1st Class Honours) in Childhood and Youth Studies from the Open University in England.

EKAITZ ESPINO

Ekaitz began his dance education at the Conservatory of Vitoria in his hometown in Spain. He then completed his training at the London Studio Centre in England, receiving a Diploma in Dance Performance. Ekaitz has had a long and successful career in dance including engagements with Gavina Ballet (Barcelona, Spain), the European Ballet (London, England), Santamaria Compania de Danza (Madrid, Spain), Halberstadt City Theatre (Germany) and Ballet Pforzheim (Germany). He  has also produced several successful choreographies for Ballet Pforzheim.

Since moving to New Zealand Ekaitz has been teaching ballet and dance in Christchurch and is a registered teacher with BBODance and NZAMD. He has completed the Level 5 Diploma in Dance Teaching with BBODance.

SELENA CROFT

Selena’s passion for dance began at Canterbury Ballet where she studied various dance genres including ballet, contemporary, American jazz and tap as well as choreography and teaching. Selena has completed RAD Ballet exams up to Advanced, NZAMD Intermediate Jazz, AJDA Intermediate 3 Jazz, BBO Ballet and more recently completed the BBO Teachers Associate 2 Exam, making her a fully qualified dance teacher.

Selena has performed for many companies over the years including Fresh Legs, Dance Corp, RASA, Showbiz and Canterbury Opera. She has danced and taught in Australia and England and on her return home in 2005 became Head Tutor at Movement Dance Centre until the premature arrival of her daughter in 2011. She is also a ballet and jazz competition adjudicator and has judged many competitions all around New Zealand.  Selena believes in achieving results and learning whilst keeping a fun and positive environment to grow and nurture the dancers and teachers of tomorrow.

CLAIRE O’CONNOR

At 4 years of age Claire began dancing at Canterbury Ballet under the direction of Taisia Missevich. Here she completed all her R.A.D. exams up to Advanced level. She furthered her dance training at the New Zealand School of Dance in Wellington where she achieved a National Diploma in Dance. Claire is passionate about dance and she is delighted to be teaching ballet, jazz and contemporary dance at the Garden City Dance Academy. She has three children of her own and has always thoroughly enjoyed working with children.