SIMON WATTS HipHop...............................................................................................................................................
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.
TRACEY PURCELL
Jazz Tutor
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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.
ANGE NORTON
Body Health and Fitness Tutor
SONJIA TAOAI
Choreography Tutor