FUTURE GENERATION LOCAL PRE-SCHOOL DANCE LESSONS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS After years of friends asking her to teach dance classes closer to her Grey Lynn home, Kyra Rice has answered the call and established Grey Lynn Dance School - something she hopes will become a local institution. Based at the Grey Lynn Community Centre, the school focuses on pre-school dance lessons for boys and girls. The emphasis is on participation and fun. “I know plenty of parents who would love for their children to join in dance classes but who don’t like the formality and structure of many dance schools,” says Kyra. Classes are a blend of jazz dance, ballet, hip hop and musical theatre, and Kyra says she adapts the lessons to the students as much as possible. The classes mix basic dance skills, high-energy movement exercises, simple dance routines and mime (using props like butterfly wings, pom poms and pirate swords). The focus is on fun but the children are learning new skills too. “Parents are often surprised at how much dance their young children can learn,” says Kyra, “and, of course, each class is an exercise in taking turns, following instructions, counting and learning their left from their right.” Kyra is an experienced dance teacher who has been teaching children for years. Now the mother of two young children herself she understands the realities of getting kids to lessons. To this end Grey Lynn Dance School sells a concession card for five classes rather than charging a fee for an entire school term. Says Kyra: “That way parents effectively only pay for classes when they can make it, which gives them the flexibility they need with young children.” And the first class is free. “Even the most dance mad child can be overwhelmed by a class at first, but after a few lessons they’re totally involved,” Kyra says. “It’s lovely for parents to see their children enjoying themselves so much.”
WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION AT KING’S COLLEGE THE FOUNDER OF KING’S COLLEGE, GRAHAM BRUCE, STATED THAT THE SCHOOL WOULD aim to provide “the best all-round education it was possible to obtain”. Over 100 years later, this vision both guides and underpins all that we do at King’s College. “We aim to be the best we can be in our academic, sporting, cultural, spiritual and social aspects. This has seen King’s College, throughout its history, endeavour to preserve its values whilst still being prepared to innovate to remain at the forefront of education.” One of the largest boarding schools in New Zealand, King’s College caters for students from all over the country and overseas. Boarders form the heart of the college, their involvement in the sporting and cultural arenas gives King's College a competitive edge. A student’s experience of the life of the college is underpinned by a powerful house system, providing a sense of ‘family’ within the overall school community. Our programme of worship, religious education and community service encourages our students to explore their own spiritual pathway. The college has a proud academic record; small class sizes and low pupil-to-teacher ratio ensures students are given greater individual attention in the classroom and students take a variety of pathways upon leaving King’s College, including entry to leading universities throughout the world. “Our programme of music and the arts is designed to inspire our students to broaden their listening and artistic horizons. Through sport, they seek to instil a healthy competitive spirit and the values of teamwork, physical fitness, commitment and initiative. We set our young men and women on a course to become the leaders, innovators, creators and role models of their generation. We celebrate our rich heritage, whilst PN welcoming and valuing all who may wish to join the King’s College community.” F KINGS COLLEGE, www.kingscollege.school.nz
Grey Lynn Dance School offers separate boys and girls’ classes but Kyra is quick to point out that classes aren’t strictly gender segregated, “it’s the content that differs. Generally speaking, I’ve noticed boys and girls favour different styles of dancing and love using different props. But the main thing is that the class is the right fit for the child. If your little girl is more into breakdancing than ballet, or your little boy loves butterfly wings, then bring them to the class that suits them.” Kyra hopes to grow Grey Lynn Dance School into a full-service dance school. “I’ve taught ballet and jazz dance to senior students at another large dance school for many years,” she says, “and I would love to develop the school so that it can become part of growing up in this community.” F PN GREY LYNN DANCE SCHOOL M: 021 867 709, E: greylynndanceschool@gmail.com
100 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2014
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