lda Faculty

One of our key missions is to provide excellence in dance. We achieve this is through well planned classes, and some of the best teachers in the region. All of our teachers are highly capable dancers themselves and have exceptional credentials behind them. Collectively they have over 70 years teaching experience!

Kerry Mills

ARAD, CBTS, RAD RTS, ANZAMD, pbt certified

Kerry started her dancing journey at the age of four, she began with ballet and later added jazz, tap and drama to her repertoire.

Over the years she has gained dancing qualifications with the RAD & BBO for ballet, NZAMD & AJDA for jazz, and BAL for Tap. During her training Kerry gained the highest marks in New Zealand 3 years running for her AJDA jazz exams.

The highlights of her dancing career to date include; receiving two Scholarships to the prestigious Edge studio in LA, competing and gaining a gold medal at “The LADF Performers of the Year” competition in Long Beach California, dancing with a performance troupe performing high level events such as the All Blacks, Silver Ferns, Chiefs and Tall Blacks games, choreographing shows and teaching at Hamilton Girls High School, and being invited to judge the Stage Challenge and J Rock competitions.

In 2008 Kerry completed her RAD teaching qualification (CBTS) and Advanced 2 Ballet exam, resulting with distinction (ARAD).

Kerry has a great passion to learn and improve her her craft as a teacher. She attends CPD courses with Lisa Howell, and has recently gained her teaching training certificate in Progressing Ballet Technique to help students reach their full potential by unlocking their technique.

The absolute highlight of Kerry's career to date would be purchasing the Margaret Fairhead School of Dance, a studio Kerry has grown up in. She started dancing there at the age of 10, started teaching at the age of 21 and has now has taken over ownership of the school.

Kerry would like to thank the wonderful and talented teachers, and assistant teachers of the school for all the hard work, and passion they pass onto the students.

Kerry would like to thank her family especially her mum and dad, as well as the students and parents of the school for their continued support of the school.

Rachael Pugh

cbts, ARAD, RAD RTs, certified polestar practitioner of pilates studio, pbt certified, total barre foundation certified

At the age of six Rachael began ballet training in Hamilton, at the Margaret Fairhead School of Dance.

Under Margaret's direction, Rachael was accepted in to the 'New Zealand School of Dance.' Whilst there, she was a Shell Scholar and recipient of the Best All Rounder Scholarship (Ballet and Contemporary). She also travelled to England to compete in the Adeline Genee Competition.

After graduating with 'National Diploma in Dance Performance' she went on to dance with the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company for the next five years. Highlights include performing in the ballet Dracula, in Melbourne and dancing for choreographers, Russell Kerr, Eric Languet, Christopher Hampson and Michael Partmenter. Since then Rachael has danced with Toby Behan at Southern Ballet Theatre and guest taught in Darwin and Queensland.

Rachael has been teaching in her old school since 2006. She teaches RAD Grade and Vocational levels, NZAMD Contemporary, Introductory to Level Six, open classes and private competition lessons, as well as being the mother to three wonderful boys.

Rachael has successfully passed her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies gaining Registered Teaching Status (RTS) with the Royal Academy of Dance. She has completed many courses conducted by RAD teachers to continue her professional development and always aims for improvement and excellence when teaching dance. Last year Rachael gained her teaching training certificate in Progressing Ballet Technique, in Melbourne.

Rachael is also a certified Polestar Pilates Instructor, (2013), and is the Hamilton Manager for Blue Mat Pilates. She teaches beginner, open mat classes and private studio sessions. In 2017 Rachael also became a qualified Total Foundation Barre class instructor.

Rachael loves the close intertwined relationship between Pilates and dance, and brings her own experiences to enhance the overall outcome experienced by her clients and students.

Rachael would like to thank her family, especially her husband and sons for their continued support of her and her dance career.

Hayleigh Rossetter

BA (Honours), lrad, ARAD RTS

registered ballestics instructor

Originally from Scotland, Hayleigh trained in ballet, tap, modern/jazz and disco/freestyle to an advanced level and has completed many of the RAD and ISTD examinations. After three years in London, she graduated from the RAD’s BA (Hons) Ballet Education course with Registered Teacher Status and also attained the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance, the highest award associated with the academy.

Hayleigh has performed at various events across the UK and her experience includes teaching both adults and children in a variety of contexts including Summer Schools, Primary schools and community outreach groups. She has experience preparing students for shows and examinations and worked at the RAD HQ’s Dance School where she was also mentored by examiner, Kate Swainston. A very personal interest in dance for those with additional needs led Hayleigh to working with specialist schools and groups in Scotland as well as in London with the RADiate project.

Hayleigh is also the first Ballestics instructor in New Zealand – a dance fitness program which combines the fundamentals of classical ballet with a high-energy aerobic workout.

Róisín Hanley, Dance Teacher

Róisín Hanley

RTS, RAD, pbt certified, DDMIX

From the West of Ireland, Róisín Hanley has been dancing for 20 years with 8 years of dance teaching experience. Róisín has completed many RAD ballet exams from a young age as well as learning modern, jazz, musical theatre, contemporary and lyrical.

Róisín is a fully qualified Royal Academy of Dance teacher (RTS, RAD) completing her training in the London Headquarters, a level 2 instructor in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), a Diverse Dance Mix instructor (DDMIX) and Rambert Grades member and teacher. Each year Róisín continues to improve her teaching and own dancing by ensuring she completes CPD (Continuing Professional Development) courses.

Róisín has a 1st class honours Bachelor's degree in Children Studies from the University of Galway. Róisín was a contributor in an Irish Times Best Selling book "IONBHÁ - The Empathy Book for Ireland" with other contributors such as Actor Cillian Murphy and Singer Hozier. Róisín has choreographed many routines for shows, performances, charity galas and competitions through the years. Many routines competed have won awards at Ireland's National competitions.

Róisín has taught for Antoinette Casserly School of Dance and Stage School Ireland. Róisín for the last two years also taught her own classes and taught dance workshops in Galway.

Róisín continues to grow her own love for dance and wants nothing more than to share that love with every student she is lucky enough to teach. Dance should be shared with everybody and every ability.

Holly Kennedy, Dance Teacher

Holly kennedy

Holly began dancing at Limelight Dance Academy when she was 4 years old, starting with ballet and then discovering her passion for contemporary, jazz, and lyrical as she progressed. Over the years, she has trained extensively in these styles and gained her NZAMD Solo Diploma in Jazz in 2023.

Holly has proudly represented Limelight at various community events, with her most recent standout being her performance at the Sunset Symphony (Feb 2024). Alongside her passion for dance, Holly is currently studying at the University of Waikato, majoring in Psychology, with a strong interest in child psychology.

Before stepping into a teaching role, Holly gained experience mentoring younger dancers and assisting in classes at LDA. She finds immense joy in helping students grow in both confidence and technique, she is passionate about fostering a supportive and inspiring dance environment for the students.

Holly is excited to share her love for dance and help students express themselves through movement.

Jane Callaghan, Dance Teacher

Jane Callaghan

aNZAMD

Jane’s dancing career began at the age of 7 when she learned ballet & jazz. She has over 25 years teaching experience and is proud to be part of the Limelight Dance Academy teaching faculty. As a teenager, Jane enjoyed touring the Waikato performing as a ZHFM cheerleader and was honoured to become the team manager and choreographer. Whilst at high school Jane travelled to Salt Lake City to take part in a dance conference named Dance and the Child International where she attended dance classes and was proud to be part of a performance that was influenced by NZ culture.

Jane was accepted by an Australian agency and took part in a cabaret show who performed in Japan for 3 months. Jane also has experience as an aerobics instructor and has enjoyed learning other dance genres over the years such as Tap, Ceroc and Salsa.

Jane is a proud mother of Olivia and is thrilled Olivia shares her passion for dance. Jane has experience in teaching Jump Jam troupes and taking them to Nationals and also choreographing for a singing group named The Performance Company. She thoroughly enjoyed working with talented singing students and giving them an opportunity to challenge themselves further on stage.

Jane was pleased to be part of the LDA to LA group in 2016 as a teacher/chaperone and parent to take 21 LDA students to attend various studios in Los Angeles and perform at Hollywood Boulevard and backstage at Disneyland.

Jane enjoys working with the senior students of LDA every year in choreographing and staging the big jazz. Being involved in the end of year show is the highlight of her teaching year. The enthusiasm, energy and talent the students exert and share on stage is contagious.

When Jane isn’t teaching, she works full-time as a Finance Manager at Deloitte in Hamilton.

emily dance teacher at Limelight Dance Academy — Emily De La Rue, Dance Teacher

Emily De LA RUE

Emily is thrilled to join the teaching staff at Limelight Dance Academy, a place that has felt like home since she began her dance journey at the age of five. Starting with ballet and jazz at LDA, Emily's passion for performance grew as she discovered musical theatre and began singing at 15. Her dedication led her to compete in national singing competitions during her high school years, showcasing her talent on stages across New Zealand. A highlight of her musical career came in 2018 when she travelled with the Hamilton Civic Choir to New York, performing at the prestigious Carnegie Hall.

In 2021, Emily earned her Bachelor of Performing Arts, specialising in musical theatre, from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts (NASDA) in Christchurch. During her time there she danced in all styles including ballet, jazz, tap, theatre Jazz, lyrical and contemporary.

Emily’s stage experience is extensive, featuring roles in numerous productions, including All Together Now (JKPA,2021), The Drowsy Chaperone (NASDA,2021), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (NASDA,2021), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (NASDA,2021), On The Town (NASDA,2020), The Book of Everything (NASDA,2020), Flowing Waters (HGAF, 2018), and Oklahoma (Musikmakers Inc, 2017).

She is now completing her Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Teaching at the University of Waikato and looks forward to teaching full-time in 2025 while continuing to share her passion for dance and teaching at LDA.

Anna Hansen

Anna has been a member of Limelight Dance Academy since she was four and has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Lyrical and is excited to begin her teaching journey this year.

Some of Anna’s achievements are gaining her NZAMD Solo Diploma in both Jazz and Contemporary, and representing the Waikato for Dance NZ Made. From 2021-2023, Anna was a part of the Senior Competition Troupes and from 2022-2023 was lucky enough to be the captain and compete at PACANZ. Her love of teaching started in 2019 when she started assisting with the junior classes and this has only grown over the years.

Anna looks forward to growing not only her passion for dance but also instilling this passion into her students.

faculty dance teachers at limelight dance academy — Faculty of Limelight Dance Academy, Nov 2024

Guest Tutors

margaret fairhead

ARAD TCh dip (london) - distinction; Dip Dance (new zealand school of dance - formerly national ballet school)
Former grades examiner rad

Margaret Fairhead is a graduate of the New Zealand School of Dance, having completed the Professional Dancers course.After stints with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Television New Zealand and various contracts in Germany and the UK, she returned home to Hamilton and opened her dance school - the Margaret Fairhead School of Dance. This eventually moved to Rototuna when Margaret and Peter bought ‘the Church,’ which was then over a kilometre out of Hamilton. This growing school later became the Limelight Dance Academy and is being successfully run but Kerry and her team of highly qualified teachers. Many of her former pupils are still actively engaged in the dance world.

In the early 90’s, as well as directing her large school, Margaret also toured nationally and internationally as a Grade Examiner for the Royal Academy of London for nearly 20 years. Margaret now guest teachers at Limelight to help prepare senior students for their annual examinations and end of year production - choreographed by her former colleague Peter Boyes.

Margaret is married to Peter and had two daughters and three grandchildren.