STUDIO OWNER & TEACHER

Sam grew up dancing from age 6, taking classes in jazz, lyrical & ballet and competing with the studio troupe teams and sitting annual exams. Sam also studied dance at high school where she had opportunities to choreograph and create group dances for a variety of performances.

In 2015, Sam opened her own dance school - Samantha Nicole School of Dance, alongisde nannying and studying Design at AUT.

Sam has loved getting to know all her students over the past 10 years and watching them grow a passion for dance alongside growing confidence, leadership and connecting with one another is her greatest achievement.

Sam continues to teach jazz, acrobatics and lyrical, while supporting her growing teaching team in their own classes.

TEACHER

Shay began dancing in tap & ballet at a young age, gradually moving through all the styles adding jazz, hip hop, ballroom and latin to her repertoire, training at a variety of studios. During her time training, Shay competed in both solo performances and dance troupes.

As well as being a dancer all her life, she also has a love for musical theatre and began performing in amateur theatre productions , with her first and favourite role of ‘Ursula’ rom the little mermaid.

Shay began teaching at SNSD in 2024 as our musical theatre teaching, and returns in 2025 adding jazz, lyrical & mini hip hop to her schedule.

TEACHER

Anya has been dancing since she was, training in both jazz & hip hop for many years, completing the APDA and NZAMD syllabi respectively. She hones her skills at Ettingshaussens Dynamic Arts Institute in Sydney, and has represented NZ at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships.

Anya’s most recent career achievement is dancing in the Disney+ movie ‘Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires.’

She has been teaching and choreographing for over 10 years and is extremely enthusiastic about sharing her passion for dance with students of all ages.

2025 is Anya’s second year teaching hip hop at SNSD and she is excited to continue encouraging her students and supporting them in their dance journeys.

TEACHER

Zoe started dancing at the age of 4, developing a deep love for the performing arts at a young age. Over the years, she has trained in a variety of styles, ranging from modern to classical techniques.

Her training includes the APDA syllabus in jazz, ballet & pointe, where she has achieved top marks. Additionally, she has gained extensive experience performing with dance troupes, hip hop crews and solos, competing across NZ and internationally. Zoe has also worked in film and live performances, expanding her repertoire.

Zoe’s passion for dance extends to being dedicated to inspiring the younger generation of dancers. Zoe joined the SNSD teaching team in 2025 as our contemporary teacher & assisting with senior extension.

TEACHER

Rachel has been passionate about dance since early childhood. She has completed the RAD syllabus up to Advanced Foundation and participated in numerous Winter schools at the New Zealand School of Dance. Rachel has competed extensively in ballet solos and with jazz & contemporary troupes.

During her dance career, Rachel frequently assisted her teacher with younger classes, igniting her passion for teaching.

Rachel joined the SNSD teaching team in 2025 as a jazz & lyrical teacher.

Assistant teacher

Assistant teacher

Assistant teacher

Assistant teacher