Ballet | Jazz | Contemporary | Preschool
As long as Nikki can remember she always wanted to teach and work with children. Her other great passion in life is dance - she owes her success, in her senior years as a dancer, to her teacher Sonya Draper, who was a former dancer in the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company and is now an ISTD examiner.
Nikki is a second-generation teacher. She started teaching in her mother's dance school before moving to Auckland, where she became a registered primary school teacher through Auckland College of Education and taught in primary schools for many years while also teaching dance. Prior to directing Warkworth Performing Arts, Nikki spent five years teaching RAD ballet exam classes from preschool to advanced, in both Mangawhai and Warkworth, preparing students for exams and choreographing and teaching competition dances and gaining pleasing results from her students. She also teaches NZAMD classes in jazz, contemporary and ballet and has choreographed many original group dances for shows.
Nikki directed her own dance school in Wellsford for many years. It was there that she developed her skills and love for the preschool and junior age groups and has now had the privilege of seeing some of her first pupils follow vocational pathways in their dancing.
Alongside her dancing and teaching Nikki has had much interest in Sport Science and Coaching, including aerobics instruction training and nutrition. She has qualified and taught as a rhythmic gymnastics coach. She has also enjoyed Drama for Teaching and has taught this in several locations.
As director of WPA Nikki will encourage and foster an environment that values and respects each child as an individual and celebrates their success in an art they love. She wants children to realise that as they achieve each milestone, they are living their dreams, creating memories and expanding their horizons. Nikki is also committed to supporting students who show dedication and a desire to follow a vocational pathway with their dancing.
When not teaching Nikki is at home on a very quiet lifestyle block, working or resting with her husband. For leisure they often walk and rock-hop around local beaches. She enjoys catching up with her two daughters when they return from studies and work.
Hip Hop
David is an outgoing and energetic Dance Instructor with talent in a wide variety of hip-hop dance.
David began his dance journey in Kenya. He obtained his Bachelor of Education in 2013.
David has enjoyed travelling around the world competing in hip hop and teaching students from beginners to advanced levels. He has taught in both schools and dance studios. David has a passion for working and communicating with youth.
In recent years he has been residing in New Zealand and teaching in prominent Auckland dance studios and also continues to participate in hip hop competitions locally and abroad.
Alongside his love of dance, you will find David engaged in videography and editing.
Musical Theatre
Bridgette has been dancing since she was five, starting with ballet (up to Advanced one RAD) and then later moving into Jazz and Musical Theatre. Her favourite roles danced have included Swanhilda from Coppelia, and Velma from Chicago.
Bridgette began teaching ballet when she was 17 years old and has a real passion for the joy that dance and performance can bring into the lives of dancers, as well as the physical, mental and emotional benefits that come from dance.
As well as dance, Bridgette loves spending time with her husband and two daughters, and enjoys sewing, including recently learning how to make classical tutus!
Ballroom & Latin American
Born and raised in The Netherlands Peter only began his competitive dance journey at the age of 22. Within 3 years he was the Dutch Amateur Latin American champion and represented the Netherlands at World and European events around the globe. It was then he was partnered with the New Zealand champion and together they would also represent New Zealand as professionals in the Ballroom and Latin American genres.
They were to become well-known for their unique shows and were guest dancers with the Malando Tango Orchestra during their tours in Japan. Peter and Rachell were also advisors to the Dutch National Ballet Company for the Premiere of ‘Social Dances’.
Peter is a qualified fitness instructor, personal trainer and sports nutritionist in addition to his many Ballroom and LA qualifications.
As Chairman of the NZ Ballroom Dance Council for 2023 and 2024 Peter is committed to promoting a sustainable dance community for all ages and levels.
In his spare time, you can find him out walking, running or riding his motorbike. He is also a fantastic self-taught cook!
Ballroom & Latin American
Rachell grew up in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton where her passion for dance started at the tender age of 4 from watching her sister's ballet classes. After following Ballet for 5 years, she turned to Jazz and Showdance and became involved with the Hamilton Operatic Society dancing and singing in many of their productions. A girlfriend took Rachell to a Ballroom class at the Virginia Davey Studio at age 15 and she became hooked.
Moving to Auckland at 17 to dance she was partnered with the then NZ champion and her career took off. They represented NZ in England and Europe before parting ways and Rachell moved overseas permanently to partner with Peter van der Veek from the Netherlands. She has qualifications in Ballroom, Latin American, Child Dance Development and Zumba dance. She loves travelling and writing.
Ballroom & Latin American
Together Peter and Rachell won 8 New Zealand Professional titles, they performed shows in Germany, Spain, the USA, Belgium, England and the Netherlands.
In 1997, after a hugely successful dance career, Peter and Rachell opened a dance studio in the Netherlands teaching Ballroom and Latin American, Streetdance, Showdance, Hip Hop, Zumba, Argentine Tango, Salsa, Kids Dance, Fitness and Dance Heebie-Jeebies (pre-school dance). A wonderful dance journey took a different turn when in 2021 Peter and Rachell, together with their daughter, moved from the Netherlands to New Zealand in order to spend more time with the whanau.
They love being part of the WPA whanau and look forward to helping achieve your Latin American and Ballroom potential.