It’s all systems go for Waikato’s largest dance school, Dance Effects who are set to unveil their end-of-year show, Wonder Land, to an audience of more than 2000 over two days at Globox Arena on December 14 and 15.
Emily Marama Te Ahuru
Wonder Land marks one year since Emily Marama Te Ahuru took the reins as owner/operator at Dance Effects (DFX), which runs out of premises above Spotlight in Te Rapa.
With three studios operating at full capacity throughout the year, waiting lists for most classes and many of the 460 dancers participating in multiple genres, the business of running the dance studio is no side hustle – it’s a full-time job with a big team of teaching and support staff that swells to include over 100 volunteers during performance week. Emily – who turned 20 in October – is taking it all in her stride, despite 400 of the 851 costumes for the recital this month being stuck on a ship, already a month late!
Dance Effects. Photo: Supplied.
Dance Effects was a second home to Emily growing up, who had her sights set on a career in dance at an early age. Excelling as a competition dancer, Emily began teaching dance as a teenager before being given the opportunity to own and lead the next era of the studio herself by former owner, Louise ten hove. Emily says it was quite overwhelming.
“But I grabbed that opportunity with both hands and haven’t looked back.
“The business of running a dance studio this size is more complex than most people probably realise – there’s a lot ticking over behind the scenes. We know parents are busy so we’re always thinking about how we can make it easier to pay a bill, buy a new pair of dance shoes, book a rehearsal space or answer a query.”
Emily is also very focused on culture and the experience inside the studio and says ‘We’re all about nurturing the individual, whatever level they’re at, and cultivating an environment that keeps them growing, loving dance and feeling a sense of mastery that will serve them well whatever they go on to do in life.”
Dance Effects. Photo: Supplied.
Beyond the day-to-day classes, DFX is also a strong performer on the competition circuit, a separate arm of the business. Most of the high-performance side of the business happens in weekends and school holidays, with a range of workshops and one-on-one coaching sessions throughout the year. Emily is proud of the studio’s high-performance culture and says the secret is really just hard work. “Our top dancers have a few traits in common – they’re disciplined, have an awesome work ethic and are resilient. These are the traits we try to instill in all of our dancers.”
Wonder Land brings together the entire DFX community, with every one of the 461 enrolled dancers taking to the stage. It’s a logistical challenge like no other, giving every dancer a chance to shine – and be seen by their parents.
Dance Effects. Photo: Supplied.
Emily describes it like a giant sisterhood.
“I think I love that most of all – girls supporting girls and leaving judgement at the door.”
She knows most students will dance for just a short period of their lives, but she’s determined to make it a positive memory and instill a lifelong love of dance. “We want our students to remember the friendships and the good vibes but also that time they worked super hard and mastered an aerial or a triple pirouette when they never thought they could and when their classmates cheered so loud, they teared up with pride. That’s the stuff that keeps me going and what makes this job so rewarding.”
Dance Effects. Photo: Supplied.
Pre schoolers at Dance Effects. Photo: Supplied
