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Our
Story

Neverland Studios was established in 1992 and has become one of NZs leading dance studios, providing excellent tuition across a wide range of genres.

Neverland prides itself in developing well rounded, capable and respectful dancers who will emerge from their training well equipped to embark on a career in dance, or simply be better prepared for any aspect of their lives by developing confidence, work ethic, independence and respect for themselves and others.

Anyone that attends Neverland quickly discovers it is so much more than a dance studio. The passion that flows through all the teachers and students is a contagious energy that inspires and empowers all members of the Neverland family to thrive and succeed, while having an awesome time and building new friendships.

Neverland is a place to connect to your audience, connect to each other and connect to yourself.

Our
Story

Neverland Studios was established in 1992 and has become one of NZs leading dance studios, providing excellent tuition across a wide range of genres.

Neverland prides itself in developing well rounded, capable and respectful dancers who will emerge from their training well equipped to embark on a career in dance, or simply be better prepared for any aspect of their lives by developing confidence, work ethic, independence and respect for themselves and others.

Anyone that attends Neverland quickly discovers it is so much more than a dance studio. The passion that flows through all the teachers and students is a contagious energy that inspires and empowers all members of the Neverland family to thrive and succeed, while having an awesome time and building new friendships.

Neverland is a place to connect to your audience, connect to each other and connect to yourself.

Secure your spot today

Meet the team

Neverland teaching staff at the annual retreat focusing on training and planning for the year ahead

Owner / Director

Ash Habgood

Ash has been part of the studio since 1993, first as a dancer, then teacher and in 2008 she bought the studio to become a passionate director at the age of 21.

Ash has been part of the studio since 1993, first as a dancer, then teacher and in 2008 she bought the studio to become a passionate director at the age of 21.

After holding nearly every role in the company over the years, Ash is now the Strategic and Creative Director of Neverland. She teaches around nine classes a week and loves the mix of interaction with students combined with steering Neverland on its journey to be a leading New Zealand dance school. A huge area of focus for Ash is writing and directing the end of year show, the culmination and highlight of a years hard work from all students and teachers. Ash’s goal is to ensure Neverland continues to be an amazing and dynamic place for its staff, parents and dancers.

Ash is passionate and ambitious and always expects the best of her students and team members. She is 100% committed to reaching new heights and aspirations for the entire Neverland community.

Owner / Director

Alley Williams

Just like Ash, Alley has danced at Neverland since she was seven years old and worked with Neverland since she was 17. She has developed from teaching, to being part of the management team and is now a Director.

Just like Ash, Alley has danced at Neverland since she was seven years old and worked with Neverland since she was 17. She has developed from teaching, to being part of the management team and is now a Director.

Alley is the lead on all logistics at Neverland. Alley teaches around nine classes a week between the North and East branches. She’s hugely involved with events including the end of year show and international dance trips.

Alley has extensive experience working in the Auckland commercial dance scene, has taught NZQA dance in North Shore Secondary Schools and was a Capezio NZ sales representative. Her passion for dance makes her an integral component of Neverland’s success.

Alley is the heart and soul of Neverland and brings all of the craziness together to make things flow and hum like the well oiled machine that Neverland is!

Alley holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts, majoring in Dance and a Post Graduate Diploma from The University of Auckland in Secondary School Teaching.

Studio Director

Michelle Christensen

Michelle's job is to ensure Neverland continues to be the progressive and innovative home of dance that our dance families have come to know and love.

Michelle's job is to ensure Neverland continues to be the progressive and innovative home of dance that our dance families have come to know and love. In her role she has the privilege of training our prospective teachers in the Internship Programme as well as working alongside our talented staff to ensure their ongoing professional development.

Having danced with Neverland since the age of three and taught for the last nine years, Michelle knows what it takes to make a great Neverland teacher. She understands teaching is holistic and is concerned with far more than just movement.

Michelle loves her job because she gets to champion some incredible people. She loves to celebrate what’s unique and special about a teacher, drawing out and honing their strengths to better serve our students within the classroom. The pay-off of her job is seeing students thrive by working alongside passionate teachers.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English and Criminology. She then went on to do a Diploma in Applied Ministry, working with children, youth and young adults in the community - an area of work she still partakes in.

Head of Movement

Emma Clelland

Emma manages all of Neverland’s 20 amazing crews and troupes who form the Neverland Extend Programme.

Emma manages all of Neverland’s 20 amazing crews and troupes who form the Neverland Extend Programme. This includes organisation of all performances, gigs, competitions, costumes and general management of some of Neverland's top dancers. She’s also the lead on Neverland’s social media platforms and teaches approximately 15 hours per week across both studios.

Emma began dancing at the studio in 2013, and then her journey took off when she joined the management team in 2016. Emma completed the Neverland Internship Programme in 2014 and now loves teaching students of all ages.

Emma attended Westlake Girls High School with great academic success, and then began full time employment at Neverland Studios.

Head of Management

Stephanie Day

Steph is the friendly face you’ll see in the North and East Studio office. Here she manages communication with dancers and parents and all aspects of administration.

Steph is the friendly face you’ll see in the North Studio office. Here she manages communication with dancers and parents and all aspects of administration. Although mainly stationed in the office, Steph also assists with managing events, workshops and school tours.

While studying Steph worked at a Pilates & Physio Clinic as a receptionist and instructor. Steph loved the combination of teaching and management and this influenced her to strive for the role she now holds at Neverland. Steph completed the Neverland Studios Internship programme in 2016 and now loves teaching alongside her management duties.

Steph graduated from Long Bay college in 2011 and then completed a Bachelor of Dance Studies at the University of Auckland in 2014.

Bookkeeper and Account Manager

Ruth Beamish

Ruth is the other key member of the finance team. She loves the high energy environment at Neverland and has seen the school evolve and grow hugely since becoming one of the team.

Ruth is the other key member of the finance team. She loves the high energy environment at Neverland and has seen the school evolve and grow hugely since becoming one of the team. Ruth loves working in the dance industry and has been a dancer herself. Her daughter has also danced with Neverland for many years.

Ruth holds a Small Business Management Diploma.

Family Account Services

Lynn Williams

Lynn is an integral part of the team focusing on family dance accounts.

Lynn is an integral part of the team focusing on family dance accounts.

Lynn loves working at Neverland and splits her time between working from home and coming in to the studio (where she often treats the team with her amazing baking skills!).

Lynn is from the UK and completed her education at Richmond College gaining a Business Studies Certificate.

Is Dance Your Thing?

Careers & Interns

Meet the team

Neverland staff at the annual retreat focusing on training and planning for the year ahead

Owner / Director

Ash Habgood

Ash has been part of the studio since 1993, first as a dancer, then teacher and in 2008 she bought the studio to become a passionate director at the age of 21.

Ash has been part of the studio since 1993, first as a dancer, then teacher and in 2008 she bought the studio to become a passionate director at the age of 21.

After holding nearly every role in the company over the years, Ash is now the Strategic and Creative Director of Neverland. She teaches around nine classes a week and loves the mix of interaction with students combined with steering Neverland on its journey to be a leading New Zealand dance school. A huge area of focus for Ash is writing and directing the end of year show, the culmination and highlight of a years hard work from all students and teachers. Ash’s goal is to ensure Neverland continues to be an amazing and dynamic place for its staff, parents and dancers.

Ash is passionate and ambitious and always expects the best of her students and team members. She is 100% committed to reaching new heights and aspirations for the entire Neverland community.

Owner / Director

Alley Williams

Just like Ash, Alley has danced at Neverland since she was seven years old and worked with Neverland since she was 17. She has developed from teaching, to being part of the management team and is now a Director.

Just like Ash, Alley has danced at Neverland since she was seven years old and worked with Neverland since she was 17. She has developed from teaching, to being part of the management team and is now a Director.

Alley is the lead on all logistics at Neverland. Alley teaches around nine classes a week between the North and East branches. She’s hugely involved with events including the end of year show and international dance trips.

Alley has extensive experience working in the Auckland commercial dance scene, has taught NZQA dance in North Shore Secondary Schools and was a Capezio NZ sales representative. Her passion for dance makes her an integral component of Neverland’s success.

Alley is the heart and soul of Neverland and brings all of the craziness together to make things flow and hum like the well oiled machine that Neverland is!

Alley holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts, majoring in Dance and a Post Graduate Diploma from The University of Auckland in Secondary School Teaching.

Studio Director

Michelle Christensen

Michelle's job is to ensure Neverland continues to be the progressive and innovative home of dance that our dance families have come to know and love.

Michelle's job is to ensure Neverland continues to be the progressive and innovative home of dance that our dance families have come to know and love. In her role she has the privilege of training our prospective teachers in the Internship Programme as well as working alongside our talented staff to ensure their ongoing professional development.

Having danced with Neverland since the age of three and taught for the last nine years, Michelle knows what it takes to make a great Neverland teacher. She understands teaching is holistic and is concerned with far more than just movement.

Michelle loves her job because she gets to champion some incredible people. She loves to celebrate what’s unique and special about a teacher, drawing out and honing their strengths to better serve our students within the classroom. The pay-off of her job is seeing students thrive by working alongside passionate teachers.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English and Criminology. She then went on to do a Diploma in Applied Ministry, working with children, youth and young adults in the community - an area of work she still partakes in.

Building Manager

Briardee Yansen

Briardee’s role at Neverland is to help grow her students as better dancers and individuals. She draws on her extensive experience competing throughout NZ and internationally to provide awesome lessons for her students. Briardee loves teaching and enjoys seeing how much happiness dance brings to her students. She thrives on the challenge to be creative in her teaching.

Briardee’s role at Neverland is to help grow her students as better dancers and individuals. She draws on her extensive experience competing throughout NZ and internationally to provide awesome lessons for her students. Briardee loves teaching and enjoys seeing how much happiness dance brings to her students. She thrives on the challenge to be creative in her teaching.

As well as teaching Briardee works in the office and enjoys meeting the parents of all her students!

Throughout Briardee’s journey she’s discovered that dance is another entire language. She loves the freedom of expression through movement and being inspired by so many creative people that share the same passion as her.

Teacher / Admin

Hannah Shale

Hannah’s journey at Neverland started when she was just three years old. She has lived and breathed dance over the years and became part of the Extend team competing with Cadettes in her high school years.

Hannah’s journey at Neverland started when she was just three years old. She has lived and breathed dance over the years and became part of the Extend team competing with Cadettes in her high school years. Hannah completed the Neverland Internship Programme and began teaching at the age of 16 and loves it!

Hannah graduated from Westlake Girls Grammar in 2017 and is currently studying a Bachelor of Nursing. Hannah loves being able to integrate her passion for people and heath with her dance teaching.

Teacher / Admin

Maddy Solomon

Maddy is one of the friendly faces you'll see at our North office! She will be able to help you with any questions you may have with enrolments and classes.

Maddy is one of the friendly faces you'll see at our North office! She will be able to help you with any questions you may have with enrolments and classes.

When she's not in the office, you can find her teaching her classes in the studio!

Bookkeeper and Account Manager

Ruth Beamish

Ruth is the other key member of the finance team. She loves the high energy environment at Neverland and has seen the school evolve and grow hugely since becoming one of the team.

Ruth is the other key member of the finance team. She loves the high energy environment at Neverland and has seen the school evolve and grow hugely since becoming one of the team. Ruth loves working in the dance industry and has been a dancer herself. Her daughter has also danced with Neverland for many years.

Ruth holds a Small Business Management Diploma.

Family Account Services

Lynn Williams

Lynn is an integral part of the team focusing on family dance accounts.

Lynn is an integral part of the team focusing on family dance accounts.

Lynn loves working at Neverland and splits her time between working from home and coming in to the studio (where she often treats the team with her amazing baking skills!).

Lynn is from the UK and completed her education at Richmond College gaining a Business Studies Certificate.

Is Dance Your Thing?

Careers & Interns

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