Meet our Teachers

Hey I’m Izzy! I have been dancing at RASA since 2017 and have been a part of our competitive hip-hop crews since 2020, and that is when my love for dance took off! I started teaching in 2022.

I am trained in hip-hop, contemporary, jazz, and commercial dance. I have been a member of the Otago Dancers team since 2023.

As well as teaching and coaching for RASA, I have also been involved with the coaching team at Queens High School for several years. In 2023, my crew and I gained first place in the NZCAF regional and national competitions. The crews I have been in at RASA have placed at every regional competition and most national competitions.

My favourite thing about teaching at RASA is seeing all my students grow as people and as dancers throughout the year. It is so rewarding as a teacher to see your students thrive while doing something we are all passionate about. Sharing my love for dance with them is a blessing, and seeing them every week is my favourite part of my week. I hope to see some of you in my classes! xx

Kia ora, I’m Danielle and I’ve been part of Rasa since 2008.

Through dance, I have been able to grow my confidence and reach goals I never thought were possible. My two main highlights have been competing at the 2017 HHI in Arizona with ‘Akenza’ and having the privilege of being able to dance and choreograph the opening for the 2021 Royal Family Dance Crew Dunedin show with our teen crew ‘Allies’.

During the day I am a high school Performing Arts teacher, so it’s safe to say I live and breathe anything to do with the Performing Arts, whether Dance, Drama, or Music.

I’ve been teaching at Rasa since 2015 and what I love about it is that I can share my passion and creativity with all my students. I aim to create an environment where students learn to back themselves while working hard and having fun. I am very grateful for every student I have crossed paths with through teaching and look forward to seeing new and familiar faces to share energy within classes this year.

Kia Ora, my name is Soph Kingi and I have been teaching at Rasa since the start of 2023!

I started dancing at the age of 4 in my hometown of Darfield in rural Canterbury. As soon as I began hip hop I instantly fell in love with it and knew that was the style of dance for me. Since then I have trained with Swarm Studios and Zion Studios in Christchurch, competing in competitions such as World of Dance, HHI regionals and nationals, HHU nationals, NZCAF, Shakedown, and Showcase Nationals just to name few.

In 2019, I wanted to pursue my dance career further so I auditioned for and joined Identity Dance Company in Auckland where I trained with Masque and Yung ID at HHI regionals, nationals, and worlds in Phoenix, Arizona. In early 2020, I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to head to The House of Sole in Sunshine Coast, Australia, and train under the incredible mentoring of Taneikah and Codie Wescombe. I was accepted into the Baby Sole Fam team to compete at ‘Arena’ in Singapore and Sole Fam to compete at ‘Release Dance Competition’ in Vancouver, Canada.

I am studying for a Bachelor of Science majoring in Neuroscience at the University of Otago. Although I have taken a step back from training and competing, I have taught dance on the side for the past 3 years and have loved getting to share my passion and skills and teach the next generation of young dancers!