Lifetime teacher of
dance
Since 1979, Julie has taught many hundreds of students at her highly successful Julie Hawke School of Dance, which has a studio in Ashburton and a Christchurch studio based at St Andrew’s College. The Christchurch studio was opened when Julie’s husband, Richard Hawke, took up the position of Pipe Band Director at St Andrew’s College, and they moved back to Christchurch from Ashburton. Richard (OC 1980), and their three sons, Jamie (OC 2006) Harry (OC 2009) and Angus (OC 2011) all attended St Andrew’s. Around 30 students from St Andrew’s are currently included in the total roll of 90 girls and boys in the dance school, who range in age from four to 24. Julie takes St Andrew’s learner students for lunchtime classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays. “Many students learn Highland dance for enjoyment and fun, and love dancing with the Pipe Band at Founders’ Day, StAC Attack and the end of year
(Left) Highland dance teacher, Julie Hawke (left), with Rector Christine Leighton and a group of StAC Highland dancers, pictured in 2017.
Prizegiving. There are also lots of opportunities for dancers to compete in regional, national and international competitions, and participate in annual exams and productions.”
for the all ages dance school category for our Disney-themed Moana dance. Matua Steve Reid helped us to integrate kapa haka moves along with traditional Highland steps into the dance. We were extremely proud to present it on the world stage and for it to be so well received!”
Three current students, Charlotte Sloper, Bella Rose and Evelyn Clarke (all Year 11) were selected to dance with the Highland Dance Company of New Zealand at the USA’s largest tattoo, held in Virginia last month. Late last year, Charlotte (then Year 10), and three St Andrew’s Preparatory School students, Madison Hughes (then Year 6), and Alanna and Emily Brook (then Year 4), travelled to France with Julie and 21 other members of the Julie Hawke School of Dance to compete at the International Gathering of Scottish Highland Dance at Disneyland Paris. “We were absolutely thrilled to win 21 awards, with the St Andrew’s students all winning solo or duo awards. We also won the Overall Impression Supreme Award
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Several Old Collegians still come back to dance at Julie’s school, including the current New Zealand 18 and Over Champion, Lewis Gibson (OC 2013) aged 22, who in his fifth year of a Law and Arts degree. Julie and Richard Hawke have both been awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for their dedicated service to Highland dance, and Pipe Band respectively. Their expertise and commitment to the students of St Andrew’s College helps to ensure these wonderful traditions, so steeped in history, remain at the heart of the College.
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Julie’s passion for Highland dancing remains undiminished. She has been a teacher for nearly 40 years, and is a National examiner on the technical panel of the New Zealand Academy of Highland and National Dancing. She is also Director of the Highland Dance Company of New Zealand, which promotes innovative and challenging choreography for senior Highland dancers to perform throughout the country and internationally.
Values and Culture
Highland dance teacher, Julie Hawke was hooked on the traditional dance form from the moment she took her first tentative steps as a seven-yearold, under the tutelage of renowned Christchurch teacher, the late Muriel Waugh. “I was lucky to start with one of the top dance teachers at the time and loved it from the start.”