Studios

In April 2016 I experienced the trip of a lifetime. As the team leader for the Twin Cities team I took a group of 18 dancers from Auckland and Wellington on a World Class Dance Tours trip to Los Angeles. My team consisted of dancers aged from 12 to 26 years old, and what I loved most about the tour was that every member on my team thoroughly enjoyed it all, regardless of their age and experience. There are many highlights from the tour, but to name a few these include the activities and workshops, the tour managers and other tour groups, and the performances from the trip.

The tour included a large variety of activities such as Hollywood home tours, shopping trips, a trip to Santa Monica Pier, theme parks and dance shows – including being in the live audience at Dancing with the Stars! Each of these activities were exciting, fun and allowed us to see a whole lot of LA. They were all very well organised and I would love to go back and do them all again. Some activities also included team bonding and personal development which were directed by the tour managers themselves. These activities allowed us get to know each other better and really inspired myself and the other dancers to aspire to the best we can be. For the Twin Cities team, the team bonding was especially useful as the Auckland and Wellington dancers on my team did not meet in person until we all arrived in LA.

In addition to all of the activities, the diverse dance workshops we attended were a huge highlight of the trip. My dancers and I learnt various genres of dance including hip hop, jazz, contemporary, burlesque and twerking, which were taught by some of the best teachers, dancers and choreographers in LA and at world renown studios such as IDA, Millennium and Edge. The workshops were fun yet challenging and all of the teachers were really happy to have us there. We also had talks from real agents and dancers from LA. These were insightful and it was really interesting to hear how the dance industry works. Two other very exciting workshops we also participated in were held at Disneyland. One was held as a mock audition, which also added to the knowledge we were gaining about dance in LA. The other was based on an aspect of dance and performance. The teacher spoke with me beforehand about our upcoming performance at Disneyland and asked if there was anything I think my team needed to work on. I suggested expressions and performance attitudes which she took on board and delivered the whole workshop around. This helped my team and I hugely not only for our performance but for each dancer individually beyond the trip also.

The people on the trip were also a significant highlight. The tour managers were all extremely helpful, knowledgeable and friendly, and really contributed to the enjoyment of the trip. They became not only staff members of the tour but great friends to all of the teams. The other teams themselves were also great to be on tour with. It was exciting to see other groups of dancers embarking on the same journey and being able to support their performances as well as having them support us.

The biggest highlight and most memorable moments of the trip were the two performances my team and I did. We performed not only at Disneyland but also on Hollywood Boulevard. Both performances were thrilling, successful and a feat that I thought would only be achieved a dream. As the team leader I was extremely happy with how my dancers performed and really enjoyed dancing alongside them. How many people can say they have performed at Disneyland and on the Hollywood Boulevard?!

Alongside the highlights, I received so much personally from the tour. The trip was inspiring and insightful, and I learnt so much. As a leader and teacher, I learnt what does and doesn’t work when leading a team on such a massive trip. I learnt how to manage two groups in two different locations (Auckland & Wellington), how to choreograph with these two groups and how to run rehearsals when two separate groups come together for the first time. Being on the tour around other dancers and teachers, and being immersed in the dance industry also inspired me to become a better teacher, and to continue to challenge, motivate and nourish my students in any way I can. As a dancer, I was given a huge insight into the dance industry and dance world in LA. With the industry being much larger and very different to the one in Auckland and throughout New Zealand there was so much to learn and take in while on tour. In two weeks I learnt many things as mentioned – different genres of dance, aspects of dancer/choreographers’ lives and the ways agencies work. This knowledge is useful in considering my own place in the dance world, but also useful to pass on to other students who may hold an interest in becoming a professional dancer. As an individual, I believe the entire trip contributed to many aspects of my professional development. This includes leadership skills through leading the

Twin Cities team; communication skills which were required between myself and the dancers, their parents, the tour managers and the other teams; self-confidence in my ability to achieve a successful performance at Disneyland and Hollywood boulevard; and many others such as time management, initiative and positive thinking.

Since being on the tour I have been able to utilize these developed skills in many areas of my life – such as when at University studying my Doctorate, lecturing a dance paper at the University of Auckland, and when teaching young people at an afterschool studio. The knowledge and advice I received while on tour continue to contribute to my dance and career aspirations. I aim to be the best teacher and dance scholar I can be, and strive to push my students in the same way while giving them the best learning opportunities. Additionally, knowing aspects of what the dance industry is like I can share my experiences and inspiration from the tour with my students.

Overall, the tour was organised and always exciting, the team managers were friendly and enthusiastic, the accommodation was comfortable and fun, and the performances were thrilling. The entire experience of the World Class Dance Tours Los Angeles tour is one I could do again and again.

Kristie Mortimer
Twin Cities Team Leader 2016

I don’t even know where to begin!!! ……..On my WCDT LA Dance Tour we stayed right in the heart of Hollywood, just a block away from the main strip, Hollywood Boulevard. We even witnessed a movie premier with the red carpet, cameras and all! even that was just an eye opener, you don’t see that everyday!

We got to take AMAZING dance classes at the top studios (IDA Hollywood, Millennium Dance Complex and Edge Pac) with top choreographers where artists such as Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Chris Brown and many more have danced and trained, you name the artist i can guarantee you they have stepped foot in these studios!

We had our own private classes with just the tour group and we also had the chance to jump in so regular classes with all the LA locals which was awesome. I cant even find the words to explain how good the dance classes were (hence why you need to go on a tour and see for yourself!) the choreographers are all such great teachers and it was really cool to experience an LA class in general.

We also had Seminars with some of the choreographers/dancers where we all just sat down in a room and they shared their experiences and jobs they’ve done such as back up dancing on tour with an artist, music videos, auditions etc also how they started off in the dance world how to get in on the dance scene in LA and pretty much how to make it as a dancer over there as its tough because every single person is good. Myself along with another girl from the tour had the chance to take one of our most favourite of all time choreographers classes, i was literally trying so hard to keep my cool and not be to much of a fan girl, his name is Matt Steffanina.

This was a major highlight for me as i look up to him, i always watch his videos on Youtube so to actually be in one of his classes in real life in Los Angeles left me speechless it was like a tick off of my bucket list!

Besides all the wicked dance classes we took most days, of course we did the theme parks and all sights to see in LA! Also having free time to go roaming and shopping and trying all the food of course. The Runyon Canyon Hike was insane, you’re probably thinking a hike? really? but WOW…the view is so worth the dead feeling legs once you reach the top, you can literally see the WHOLE of the city from up there, the city on one side and the Hills and Hollywood sign on the other. I didn’t want to walk back down! I even done the hike a second day at 6:30 to watch the sun come up over LA and my goodness it is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen, I’m not even exaggerating.

We done the famous Hollywood Tours where we were driven up through Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive and up to some gorgeous look outs to see the Hollywood sign (although you could see that from almost everywhere) and not to mention see the homes of Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson, Ellen Degeneres, The Beckhams, Lil Wayne and so many more. As well as homes/places where things like the Matrix and Fresh Prince of Belair were filmed.

Then of course we done a VIP tour of Warner Brothers Studios, where we got to see all the TV/Movie sets and lots from shows including Pretty Little Liars, Desperate Housewives and we even got to go on the real sets of The Mentalist and Friends which was super cool! We done the same sort of thing at Universal studios Hollywood which we got to do on one of our off days but obviously got to do all the rides and attractions as well as see a live stunt show where they had stuntmen from shows like NCIS and even a guy of High School Musical, as you can imagine we were all fan girling over that!!

Then there was Santa Monica Beach day, a day to relax in the California sunshine! If we weren’t lying on the beach or swimming, or shopping we were up on the Santa Monica Pier doing all the rides!! This was also a super fun day!

Then towards the end of the trip we moved to Anaheim California, about a 40 minute bus ride from Hollywood. Anaheim is where the amazing Disney Land is where we got to stay a 5 minute walk away from park. You can imagine all the excitement for these last 3 days at Disney, i mean who’s bucket list is Disney Land not on right??

Not only were we just going to Disney Land but taking a class/ experiencing a mock audition at BACKSTAGE Disney, when i say backstage i mean strictly nobody but the staff are allowed back there as thats where all the magic happens, no cameras allowed no nothing so we all felt very honoured and privileged to experience this. The mock audition at backstage Disney felt so surreal, i felt so extremely nervous it felt that legit. Definitely a push out of the comfort zone, especially for me as i was the only one in the tour group having only done Hip Hop my entire life, so doing jazz routines etc was challenging but i enjoyed every moment of it, this was a once in a lifetime experience i couldn’t not participate!

Disney Land itself is really the most magical place like they say, no matter how old you are! The rides are beyond amazing there really is no way to explain Disney Land its something you have to go see!! So having the opportunity to just go there was crazy, i was like a kid in a candy store for the very first time.

This trip was honestly the most unreal thing i have ever done, again i can’t find the words to explain properly. You gain enormous amounts of knowledge to the point where your brain just wants to pop (in a good way!!) the experiences and opportunities are for sure a once in a lifetime thing. I mean you can always go back to Los Angeles but the things World Class Dance Tours allows you to do on this trip is unbeatable.

You make life long friends and truely find yourself as a dancer. This has helped me realize so many things about myself, my future goals and what i want to pursue as a dancer, where i want to go with it and what i need to do to get there.

Since this trip i have moved from New Zealand over to Brisbane Australia to work on my dancing, as i mentioned earlier i have only ever done Hip Hop since i was 6 (I’m now 19) so being here is helping me learn other genres which the trip to LA helped me do, without this whole experience i wouldn’t have gained half as much knowledge that i have from this trip alone.
It is truely life changing, so i encourage anyone that has a passion for dance to take one of the WCDT trips it will seriously change you whole outlook on dance and even life itself, lets just say it left me gobsmacked and i did not want to come home!!!!!!!!!

– Hope Wylde, Dancer

From the age of 11, my best friend and I had a dream that one day we would perform together at Disneyland. This dream was ambitious to some and impossible to others until the day we both got accepted to attend World Class Dance Tours where we were told that our dreams were about to come true at the age of 16. All very quickly we were boarding a plane to Los Angeles were we about to take part in a life changing experience. I was a part of the World Class Dance tours in 2014. Musical theatre had been my goal since I was 8 years old but coming from a small place such as Taranaki I was unaware of what the big world of dance was like in places such as Los Angeles.

When we first arrived, we were greeted by the beautiful Kim Davey, someone who to this day continues to inspire me, and we were taken to the Magic Castle Hotel, also known as “The big banana”. Here, we were welcomed by the staff immediately and being around the other side of the world from your family didn’t seem so scary anymore.

Our first lot of classes were held at IDA Hollywood (International Dance Academy). The studios were pristine and suddenly recognisable from the many celebrities that had uploaded photos to Instagram of them rehearsing in the exact studios that we were which was the most unreal feeling. The teaching at IDA filled me with inspiration and renewed my passion reminding me of why I loved to dance and perform. Agents in the industry and famous dancers such as Matt Steffanina came and spoke to the group as well which gave me insight into how I too could make it in the performing arts world.

Millennium Dance Complex was an incredible place where the dancing was intensified. We were put to the test as we danced alongside some of LA’s best dancers. My fitness rocketed from these classes and I could grasp the expectations of dancers over in America. Combinations were taught at a fast pace and we were encouraged to pick things up as quickly as possible so that our bodies got used to things such as muscle memory. Once classes were over we were mesmerised by the number of pictures on the wall all signed by famous people such as Justin Bieber.

Edge Dance Studios was another crazy once in a life time experience as thanks to WCDT I found myself in an advanced contemporary class dancing next to the lead character from the movie Step Up. This was a ‘pinch me’ moment on this tour as I was now dancing next to someone who I had admired for such a long time. The classes were challenging but a ball of fun and once again I was shown how the professionals train every day and was lucky enough to dance next to them.

The workshops that we took part in at Disneyland in Anaheim were something that I will never forget. As someone who intends on doing musical theatre as a career it was a great challenge for me when we were put through a mock audition at the Disneyland Performing arts studios. Here, I was put to the test and it gave me an idea as to where I sit on the world scale, being marked just as you would in a real audition. Not only that, but we had normal dance classes with amazing tutors who had been working with all the Disneyland performers for years and before that had professional careers as dancers so were full of wisdom and advice. Then to top it all off my best friend and I finally had our dreams come true as we performed a duo on the Disneyland stage and it gave a feeling that you wouldn’t understand unless you witnessed it yourselves.

It’s not all about the dancing either, WCDT allowed us to have lots of fun attending theme parks such as Universal Studios, or taking a tour around Warner Brothers where we got to walk the sets of our favourite television shows such as Pretty Little Liars and Friends. Laying in the sun on Santa Monica beach or playing among the waves. Watching the live shows playing in Los Angeles. But most importantly, shopping till we dropped. WCDT gave a perfect balance of intense training and fun free time.

WCDT would not be the same without the self-development taught on the tour. When learning about life’s ‘secret’ through the fabulous Kim I began to grow faith in myself and truly believe that I could do anything if I set my mind to it. With the little things that Kim taught they have taken a huge toll on my everyday life right up to today. When I landed back in New Zealand after WCDT I had an audition for the musical Mamma Mia. I applied the skills that I had learnt from the tutors, but mainly Kim Davey and three weeks later was cast in the show. To this day, I continue to consider Kim as a life-long mentor as she is always open to helping you and giving advice even though it’s been two years since the tour.

It is because of people like Kim and experiences like WCDT that I have been fortunate enough to have been accepted into the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic art where I will receive a degree in Musical Theatre commencing in 2017. I can easily say that if it weren’t for my experience with WCDT I would not be in this position as it is the thing that got me back on my feet as it restored faith in myself that I can achieve anything. WCDT is an indescribable experience that I would recommend to absolutely anyone with a passion or love for dance, and I mean it when I say, it will change your life. It certainly changed mine.

Helena Harvey, Dancer

World Class Dance Tours is worth every single dollar. It is a completely enriching experience made up of once in a life-time opportunities such as performing at Disney Land, dancing on Hollywood Boulevard, and meeting high scale dance and drama professionals, which I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Yet, I found it to be so much more than just a dance tour with the aforementioned once in a lifetime opportunities. I found that it was also a tour focused on personal development, one that aimed for everyone to go home a better person, dancer, and all round artist. This combination of personal development tasks and immersive once in a lifetime opportunities was awe-inspiring and made the tour have a very powerful and lasting effect on me.

Now, while I absolutely loved every part of the tour, there were a few aspects that really stood out to me. First was the variety of workshops offered to us during the trip. The abundance of choice we had and the quantity of such amazing workshops and tutors placed at our fingertips was every dancer’s dream. Whether you were an advanced dancer, passionate about making a career out of it, a beginner who just dances for pure enjoyment, or someone in between, there was a workshop for you. All of the workshops allowed you to try something new and step out of your comfort zone, and I ended up doing workshops like one for twerking that I very much enjoyed, but would have never tried had I not been on the trip. It was therefore, a tour that very much encouraged you to be brave and embrace things that you would not normally do, the motto being, ‘you never know when you may be graced with an opportunity to take a class like this again so why not do it and make the most of it,’ which lead to a very enriching experience. Also, as someone who has grown up doing a lot of dancing and loves the choreographic side to it as well, the exposure to the industry professionals taking the classes and their choreographic process was incredible and very insightful for myself as an inspiring choreographer and dramaturge. I would not trade my participation in those workshops for the world.

Another aspect of the tour that stood out to me was getting to be a live audience member for a ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ episode. While I absolutely love dance, I would classify myself more as a drama enthusiast so this really was the best of both worlds for me. It was so amazing to get insight into the production of a live audience program while watching very inspirational and clever dancing and choreography. In one afternoon I got to see the inner workings of television, be the same room as well-known celebrities such as Jason Derulo and high profile choreographers, see some of them perform, watch amazing dancers, and appear on television myself (even if just briefly). This experience highlighted how the tour presented us with both traditional dance experiences (such as workshops and dance performances) and also, some not so traditional dance experiences, which tapped into other areas of the arts as well. I loved every second of that afternoon and would sign up to do it again in a heartbeat.

The Disneyland audition workshop was definitely another highlight. It provided me with skills I have frequently used over the past year. While again it was danced focused, the things I learnt were easily transferable to acting and every other aspect of the arts (and in fact, life in general). Audition skill workshops are something I think get overlooked by many people, but are extremely valuable (especially when you are being taught by a Disney Land casting director who has the power to employ you if you stand out enough). From only a one hour workshop I came away with the knowledge that in an audition you should always ask questions, as it makes you known to the casting director and they begin to relate to you as a person rather than a number, and when possible you must always put your hand up to go first, as it shows bravery and it is an automatic way to get a call back. These are some of the secrets that contribute to a successful audition, which I would have never learnt if I hadn’t had the opportunity to attend the workshop. Therefore, the tour made me a more well-rounded and knowledgeable dancer/drama student about the entire performing arts world from auditioning to performance work, and applying these skills since in University drama work and in job interviews has lead to some amazing results.

Last but certainly not least, my favorite and most treasured moment of the dance tour came out of an evening I never would have expected to come across on the trip. It was Kim’s personal development evening, which taught us a lot about the power of the mind in manifesting what you want to get out of life – otherwise known as the Law of Attraction. This evening was an eye opener for me as she emphasized (in short) the importance of creating a career that you will love doing rather than one that will bring you wealth. She made the point that with hard work and the right mindset it is possible to do what you dream of doing, to create your dream job and that often you will end up making the most money that way – from something you love doing, so why settle for a job you do not enjoy. I think what she said is very true, money cannot buy happiness, but doing what you love can and I have lived by this mantra since as I have started to develop my career pathway. Not only was this evening very helpful to me and lead to me being able to accomplish all of my set goals for 2016, but since the tour Kim has continued to provide me with very generous support and advice. For instance, at the end of 2016 I had trouble deciding which university courses I should be taking to get to where I want to be and after seeking out Kim for some advice, she replied with a very detailed email with tasks for me to complete to help me with my decisions. She is a very busy woman and this would have taken substantial time out of her day to reply to. Thus, the tour provided me with the opportunity to meet a very inspirational mentor who infects everyone with positivity and hope, and I am very grateful to have met her and to have her continued help and support.

Thus, ultimately I got more confidence, inspiration and an increased love for all things arts from participating in the tour and it brought home the fact that no matter how hard it may seem my career in the arts is achievable. Consequently, my dreams had never felt more in my reach than after I finished the tour and I owe that to the experience offered by Kim and the open advice she continues to give me. That, to me, is something you cannot put a price on. Plus how many people can say they have danced at Disney Land? Not many, and this is why World Class Dance Tours is worth every single dollar and is an experience every lover of dance should embrace. Travel is known to make a person richer, and this trip does exactly that, enriching you in the area you are passionate about the most.

Thank you Kim for creating this wonderful opportunity for dancers all over the world and for having such a positive impact on my life.

My story:
I was a part of the “Random’s” Group. There were a few of us from around NZ, who had been accepted into the World Class Dance Tours program without a dance studio. We had to learn our choreography from watching a private YouTube link. We managed to put on a full-scale show with formations, solos, duets, costuming etc. We all united and bonded over our love for performance. That’s what these tours are about – having fun, meeting new people and learning all you can about the potential avenues to turn your passion into a sustainable career.

What did I love most about the tour?
I loved that I was surrounded by like-minded people that had as much passion about performing as I did. I loved the even balance of freedom and structure within the tours itinerary. I found that I had the perfect amount of time to be a part of the group activities and do fun things like take dance classes, climbing the Runyon Canyon, go out for meals, as well as take time to explore the area and imagine what it would be like to be a professional dancer living in Los Angeles. There were always so many opportunities available, and I really enjoyed the carefully thought out planning Kim put into our schedule each day – it catered to every personality and age group.

One of my favourite moments from the scheduled itinerary would’ve been the Disneyland Workshops. It provided great insight into the technicalities of a judging panel. It showed me that casting goes beyond talent, it can be based on look, personality and a foundation that has been built up from many years of hard work. I loved learning about how things at Disneyland were created such as the choreography for the evening light show. This was choreographed by Joshua Horner using a curtain and free movement. It was wonderful and inspiring to see how passion can be transformed into many different forms of art.

Furthermore, I really enjoyed the industry talks. We were fortunate enough to have people who were dancers, agents, musicians, producers, managers and/or people who were deeply integrated into the performing arts world. Not only, were they so willing to depart their knowledge on to us, but they were so open and passionate about helping us to succeed in our chosen fields.

What did I get out of the tour?
This tour was a great learning experience as it pushed me out of my comfort zone. I evolved so much as a dancer, friend, lady and all round person. It reaffirmed my current chosen path of being a professional dancer and aerialist. It challenged me to take financial risks to gain long-term security. I know truly understand what it means to “Invest in yourself to reach your goals”.

For those of you, contemplating the money aspect. I say, focus on your goals and dreams – and this tour is a part of helping you achieve that. When I first heard about the costs, I thought “How can I afford that?”. I put on a fundraiser show, sold confectionary, held sausage sizzles and sold raffles to earn the money. I utilised the resources around me to save up for the tour. This helped build my character, maximise my organisational and management skills to make my dreams come true. I am now living in Australia studying at the incredible Lee Academy School of Performing Arts. I am in my second year of my Diploma of Aerial, Acrobatics and Dance. I can confidently say that without this LA Tour and the experiences of living with people I’ve never met before, dancing in new environments and climates, and trying new things, moving to Sydney wouldn’t have even been something I would’ve considered.

I also received life-long friendships. Living with these girls for 2 weeks was incredible. We bonded like a sisterhood and all still keep in touch to this very day. It is beautiful to see what paths each of us have taken with some having moved overseas, performing for top of the line cruise-ships and some taking that next step in their life with entering an engagement! Most importantly, meeting all these people and being able to experience life as a professional dancer gave me the courage to pursue my dream because I observed how large the industry really is and where I fitted into it.

How has the tour/advice has helped you since?
As soon as I returned to New Zealand I started tap lessons. I believed it was the one thing that was limiting me from being a “versatile” dancer. At one of the auditions we went to, tap was one style of dancing I’d never pursued. This tour inspired me to improve myself as a person and continue evolving and growing my talents.

I gained an abundant amount of knowledge from this tour. Being from New Zealand, it is often easy to believe that there isn’t much out there to allow us to pursue our dreams of being a professional dancer, aerialist, actress and performer. That there aren’t enough jobs, training facilities or something limiting ourselves. Anytime, I question my path or doubt my abilities, I think back to this tour and all the valuable skills of trust, respect, courage, versatility, strength and wisdom I gained. I remember the hard hours I put into fundraising the money to go on this trip. I think back to the auditions we went to. I think about the Disney casting panel. I think about the beautiful friendships I made, the guest speakers advice and the endless opportunities I had. These moments, these experiences, keep me going and striving for my goals.

by Josephine Bonnington-Mailisi
Dancer

The World Class Dance Tours, L.A tour, was a once in a lifetime trip for my dancers. The tour catered for a diverse range of dancers, styles of dance and interests. It was successful at helping dancers realise their potential within the industry but also in their personal lives. It had the perfect balance between dancing and sightseeing. Definitely a well packaged tour that left everyone wanting more.

The constant support, both before and on the tour made this trip achievable. The team at WCDT are passionate about what they do and this is clearly evident throughout the journey. They know L.A and they know the industry. This helped build a positive and trusting relationship with all the teams on our tour. Another aspect I loved was the variety of dance classes offered, as there was something for everyone. This encouraged a lot of dancers to step out of their comfort zone, to try something new and work with industry professionals while having fun. And you can not forget dancing at Disneyland! What an experience! This was the highlight for the majority of the dancers and now they can say that they have danced on stage at Disneyland.

Dancers, chaperones, teachers and team leaders all take something away from this tour (and it is not just a lot heavy shopping bags). The fundraising before the tour helped the younger students learn about the value of the dollar and made them feel like they were standing on their own two feet by earning money to contribute to their goal. Teachers get to meet a lot of wonderful choreographers who are inspiring and enthusiastic about dance. They helped me to find even more passion for what I do at home. Chaperones, it is special to see your child doing what they love in a country that is so supportive of the arts and seeing them dance at Disneyland is priceless (this definitely brought a few tears to the eyes of the Mums on my tour).

The friendships you make, the adventures you have and opportunities for personal growth are what makes this tour so special.

– Kirsty Bell, Team Leader