Registered Teacher of NZAMD (Solo Dip)
Caroline Stewart
Caroline opened the dance school in 1991 when she was 16 years old. A passionate dance teacher who is still amazed (and thankful) every day on the success of CSSD. She teaches students in a variety of methods, from demonstration to verbal direction on all the disciplines offered. Her love of dance is equal to that of her students. Caroline inspires students to do their best and have fun – Behind every dancer who believes in themselves is a teacher who believed in them first.
Registered Teacher of NZAMD & UDO
Nicole Stewart
Nicole is a founding student of CSSD having completed both the Original and American NZAMD Syllabi. With 21 years teaching under her belt Nicole has taught jazz, tap, ballet and hip hop and is also an aqua aerobics instructor. Known as the Hip Hop Sister, she engages, encourages and motivates her students to reach their goals.
Tamzin Richards
Tamzin has been dancing since she learnt to walk and currently trains in every genre we have on offer. She has been awarded the NZAMD Solo Performance Diploma in Hip Hop, Jazz and Contemporary along with several NZAMD scholarship nominations. She has also received APDA Top Tier Awards for Musical Theatre and Hip Hop. Born to dance, however, her passion lies in choreography and watching her students perform. She is also a part of the Senior Troupe.
Mackenzie Richards
Mackenzie is the middle of The Richards sisters and has been on stage since she could walk. She did a fully improvised Michael Jackson solo at the age of three and has continued to wow people with her stage presence ever since. She is trained in all our disciplines and has received NZAMD scholarship nominations in both jazz and hop and APDA Top Tier awards for Tap and Musical Theatre. She is the coach/choreographer of our Hip Hop Crews and is part of our Azurite/Obsidian Hip Hop Crews and Senior Troupe.
Addison Richards
Addison is the youngest of the Richards sisters and made her stage debut at the age of one. She’s trained in all the disciplines that CSSD offers and enjoys working with our younger students and helping them build confidence for their exams and take to the stage. She has received an NZAMD hip hop scholarship nomination for hip hop and is part of our Azurite/Obsidian Hip Hop Crews and Senior Troupe. She is often found co-choreographed with her sisters for the senior students.
Keiva Ralph
Keiva joined the CSSD family in 2015, at the age of 10, starting with hip hop and then transitioning into all disciplines. Despite starting later than most her classmates, Keiva sprung to new heights (quite literally) and is a testament to the fact it’s never too late to start. She has been NZAMD Scholarship nominated in both Contemporary and Hip Hop; has received her Solo Performance Diploma in Jazz and Contemporary; received APDA Top Tier Awards in Tap and Hip Hop. Keiva is also part of our competing Senior Troupe & Azurite Hip Hop Crew.
Hannah Grathkowski
Hannah has been part of our dance family for many years. Her mum noticed she would bum shuffle and jiggle as a child and also perform impromptu breakdancing performances at family events. So, at 4 years old, she was enrolled at CSSD and has trained in jazz, contemporary and hip hop. She is excited to make the most of her dance side of life as she can!
Oliva Whitmarsh
Olivia tried dancing at 3 years old but was a bit shy, so she took a break and came back at four, and there has been no stopping her. She has trained in jazz, contemporary, acro, hip hop, and musical theatre. She is a part of our competing Senior Troupe and Azurite & Obsidian Hip Hop Crews (and received an NZAMD Hip Hop Scholarship Nomination). Olivia has oodles of energy and is excited to be teaching.