JAMES harris Hip Hop, Performance and Dance Mixes Tutor
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Since the age of 10, James has been trained in Jazz and Contemporary dance. He was a student at EXCEL in 2005 and was selected to tour in 2006. The tour was one of his greatest experiences to date.
James was named top male dancer of 2005 and "Most Promising Dancer" of 2006. In 2008, he was offered to tour Europe but could not make it due to injury.
Prior to moving to Auckland, James was also trained in Hip Hop at the local youth recreation centre in his home town. Once in Auckland, he spanned his horizons and started teaching more contemporary and Stage dances for dance studios.
James was involved in the Waitakere trash to fashion show in 2006 as part of a troupe performing act in between segments of the show. It was a great start to his corporate/commercial dance career, experiences which he brings with him to the school.
James has also danced in Video clips since then (Miss Jay) and been involved in Westfields holiday programme. James has experienced the journey of being a student at EXCEL and a performer in the real world. Through his classes, James will pass on this wealth of knowledge onto the next generation.
CATHERINE MCKAYDance Minor Tutor
Catherine has been dancing since she was five years old. She was trained in modern jazz for 13 years up to Grade Advanced 2 and also danced competitively in jazz for 9 years. In 2003, she competed in Australia with one of her dance academy teams and won the contemporary section.
She's been dancing the Hip hop genre for the last seven years- three years at Auckland Academy of Dance where she is now the Hip Hop tutor, two years at Excel School of Performing Arts studying and touring with the 2007 tour team, and the last two years taking classes and dancing with various Hip Hop Crews.
In Catherine's two years at Excel, she was awarded "Most Committed Dancer" in 2006 and "Most Outstanding Performer" in 2007.
Her dancing has led her to being in a Video clip “Dance Baby" by new New Zealand rap duo Crossbreed.
She is very happy to be back at Excel teaching dance minor and being part of the Excel family again.
LAURENCE BORJAHip Hop Tutor
MELissa ArissAmerican Jazz Tutor
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Melissa started her dance training in Auckland New
Zealand and is ANZAMD Jazz, AISTD Ballet/Modern, Solo Seal and BBO Tap qualified.
When she was 17 she moved to
London to commence full-time training.
She completed a 3 year course topping the school of 250 pupils twice in Ballet and Jazz.
Melissa graduated with a Musical theatre diploma, a Drama gold medal and teaching qualifications in Ballet and Jazz.
Melissa then commenced her career as a professional dancer working locally in
London, and then travelling all over
Britain and
Europe.
She then worked for 3 years on-board the largest cruise ships in the world for Royal Caribbean International as a dancer and travelled the world in the process.
Melissa now owns her own local
Dance School and teaches almost full-time.
She also still performs as a dancer and has danced for TV3 and TV1 and was recently a cheerleader for the NZ breakers.
She has also danced at the Vector Arena several times and has traveled
New Zealand dancing in shows for
Westfield and L’Oreal among others.
Melissa now hopes to give the students at Excel a chance to taste the Jazz training that she has benefitted from and prepare them for their futures as well-rounded performers.
richie cesanContemporary, Hip Hop and Choreography Tutor
Richie comes from a family of dancers and has been dancing since he was six years old. Starting with tap, jazz and ballet he completed all of his exams by the age of 13.
At this age, Richie found contemporary dance and was heavily influenced by Hip Hop. He has been dancing professionally in New Zealand for many years, and has recently completed a Bachelors Degree in dance at Auckland University.
Richie co-founded TMC (That Mean Crew) and has quickly established themselves as one of New Zealand's finest Hip Hop dance crews. He represented New Zealand at the world Hip Hop champs in America and is set to do the same again this July with his crew coming first at this year's New Zealand Hip Hop National Championships.
Richie is looking forward to sharing some of his experiences with the talented students at EXCEL this year.
joseph royal
Body Health and Fitness Tutor
Joseph was born and bred in Rotorua where he attended Te Aute College. He moved to Wellington and studied Exercise Prescription at Diploma level for two years at the New Zealand Institute of Sport. Being an avid rugby player, Joseph played for various age grade teams while in Wellington.
After completing his Diploma, Joseph made the move to Auckland where he was a gym instructor and personal trainer at Les Mills from 2006 to 2008. In 2007, Joseph also tutored Level 2 Sports at the Academy of New Zealand.
All the while, Joseph remained active in rugby, playing for some of Auckland's prominent teams. Joseph was actively playing for the Auckland Development Rugby team, Ponsonby Premier Rugby team, where they were the Auckland Club Champions, and for the Auckland Elite Front Row Academy.
Currently, Joseph is back to studying at the Auckland University of Technology where he is undertaking a Bachelors Degree in Sports and Recreation. Joseph tutors Body Health and Fitness at EXCEL School of Performing Arts.