RAD NZ Summer School

Lisa Pavane

VOCATIONAL | TEACHERS

Renowned ballerina and former Director of The Australian Ballet School, Lisa Pavane has enjoyed an extraordinary career spanning principal roles with The Australian Ballet and English National Ballet, as well as guest appearances with leading companies worldwide. Today, she continues to inspire the next generation of dancers through teaching, adjudicating, and international leadership in dance education.

Rachel Dawson

GRADES

Rachel is a highly experienced dance educator and choreographer whose career spans over two decades in New Zealand and the UK. A graduate of the New Zealand School of Dance, she went on to achieve her RAD Teachers’ Certificate with distinction and ARAD status, before building an extensive teaching career with the Royal Ballet School, the Royal Academy of Dance, and leading dance institutions across Cambridge. Passionate about inspiring students through creativity and technical excellence.

Shaun James Kelly

PATHWAYS TO PERFORMANCE

Scottish-born dancer and choreographer Shaun James Kelly is recognised as one of Aotearoa’s most exciting creative talents, celebrated for both his “classical majesty” on stage and his “spellbinding brilliance” as a choreographer. With a career spanning Scotland, England, Denmark, and more than a decade with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Shaun has earned international acclaim for his innovative works, including the critically praised Prismatic and Chrysalis. Twice awarded the Harry Haythorne Choreographic Award, he continues to push the boundaries of classical technique while inspiring the next generation of dancers through his teaching and mentorship.

Lisa Howell

TEACHERS

Internationally respected physiotherapist and educator Lisa Howell is the founder of Perfect Form Physiotherapy, a pioneering clinic and online portal that has transformed how dancers approach injury prevention, recovery and performance. With a career dedicated to empowering dancers and teachers worldwide, she shares her expertise through lectures, workshops and resources that promote health, artistry and excellence in dance..

Hilary Kaplin

TEACHERS | VOCATIONAL

Hilary Kaplan is an experienced dance educator and long-standing RAD examiner, recognised for her commitment to nurturing and supporting dancers at every stage of their training. Through her examining, teaching, and mentoring, she brings insight, encouragement, and expertise to help students and teachers achieve their personal best.

Jemima Matsuda

VOCATIONAL

Jemima Matsuda is a contemporary dancer and movement artist based in Pōneke. A 2021 graduate of the New Zealand School of Dance, she has since performed with companies across Australia, New Zealand, and internationally, including Co3 Contemporary Dance, Movement of the Human, Footnote NZ Dance, and World of WearableArts. Passionate about collaboration and creative exploration, Jemima also teaches contemporary technique, improvisation, and composition at the New Zealand School of Dance.

Dean McKerras

VOCATIONAL | GRADES

Dean McKerras is a choreographer, director, educator, and creator of DanceNZmade, with a career spanning more than three decades in performance and dance education. He has directed and choreographed major productions including Cats, Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia, and Chicago, and his work has taken him around New Zealand and internationally to London, Vancouver, and the Philippines. Founder of RED STAR DANCE and the innovative Dance in Education programme, Dean has shared dance with over 50,000 school children and continues to inspire through workshops, masterclasses, and professional development for teachers.

Jun Samblaceno

VOCATIONAL

Vivencio “Jun” Samblaceno trained in Manila with the Philippine Ballet Theatre before joining the Royal New Zealand Ballet, where he performed as a soloist and principal for 20 years across Australasia, Europe, America, and Asia. A RAD Registered Teacher and Fellow of the International Dance Teachers’ Association (UK), Jun currently tutors at Te Auaha, the New Zealand School of Dance, and Chilton Ballet Academy. With extensive experience as a performer, adjudicator, and educator, he continues to share his passion for ballet, ballroom, and dance education with the next generation of dancers.

Ella Williams

GRADES

Ella Williams is a professional dancer, born of Canadian, Trinidadian and pakeha NZ descent. currently working in Te Whanganui a tara, Aotearoa .

She is Interested in exploring different worlds through dance and using dance as a way to create space for thought and change.

Ella Williams has successfully managed to be a full-time artist and hopes to continue to share her passion in dance.