Welcome to the dance club
Hello!
I'm Caitlin, and I'm thrilled to welcome you to The Dance Club, where dance comes to life in so many varied ways. As the Director and Instructor, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise gained through years of experience in the world of dance. I can’t wait to share my passion with you.
My Story
Dance is not just a hobby; it's the very essence of who I am. From my early days at The Jazz Dance and Drama Centre in Masterton, under the guidance of Sharon Stevens-Cottle, dance was more than just steps and routines. It was a form of expression, a language that resonated with me so much I took it beyond the studio. Almost everywhere I went I danced in shop window reflections, struck a pose here and there , I couldn’t stop moving. Looking back it’s like I was a Tik Toker before TikTok was created. After performing in plenty of end of year dance shows and a few shows directed by Sharon performed in a local theatre company in my final years of college, I craved the spotlight. The rush of adrenaline before a performance, and the connection with the audience. This passion led me to audition for Whitireia's Diploma in Commercial Dance course, a pivotal moment that marked my transition into a professional dancer.
I had a successful audition and the two years I spent honing my skills in Wellington were transformative. Commercial dance wasn't just about mastering different dance styles; it was about preparing for a world that was disciplined, physically and mentally demanding but extremely rewarding. In my final year at Whitireia, I wanted to challenge myself even more. The dance industry isn’t overly big in New Zealand and I wanted a taste of what would be my next step in my journey to Australia.
In the vibrant dance scene of Sydney, I pursued 8 months of studies at Ettingshausens Pro Fulltime Dance Course. In a huge purpose-built complex we were fortunate to have industry-leading guests, choreographers and performers who had worked for huge names all over the world come through and share their experiences and choreography with us. However, amidst the rigorous training, I faced setbacks—knee injuries, pneumonia, and a mental breakdown from all the years of being Caitlin The Dancer. I had completely lost myself after dancing for 6 hours a day 5 days a week for 3 years.
Returning to Masterton I embarked on diverse paths over the next 6 years, from administrative roles, and working on a vegetable farm to laboring for a bricklayer. Each experience taught me something valuable, yet the feeling of not fitting into the conventional job industry persisted. After 6 years I have found myself ready to dance again, and I’m going to do it my way. I have created this business because I want to share my passion with others, to inspire them for their journeys or to open up a conversation. I want to teach quality fulfilling dance classes to all my students. And mostly to enjoy the experience and enjoy who you are. Join me as I continue this extraordinary life through dance, embracing every twist and turn, and expressing my truest self through the language of dance. Let’s explore the boundless possibilities that dance offers, not just as a career, but as a way of life.
I had a successful audition and the two years I spent honing my skills in Wellington were transformative. Commercial dance wasn't just about mastering different dance styles; it was about preparing for a world that was disciplined, physically and mentally demanding but extremely rewarding. In my final year at Whitireia, I wanted to challenge myself even more. The dance industry isn’t overly big in New Zealand and I wanted a taste of what would be my next step in my journey to Australia.
In the vibrant dance scene of Sydney, I pursued 8 months of studies at Ettingshausens Pro Fulltime Dance Course. In a huge purpose-built complex we were fortunate to have industry-leading guests, choreographers and performers who had worked for huge names all over the world come through and share their experiences and choreography with us. However, amidst the rigorous training, I faced setbacks—knee injuries, pneumonia, and a mental breakdown from all the years of being Caitlin The Dancer. I had completely lost myself after dancing for 6 hours a day 5 days a week for 3 years.
Returning to Masterton I embarked on diverse paths over the next 6 years, from administrative roles, and working on a vegetable farm to laboring for a bricklayer. Each experience taught me something valuable, yet the feeling of not fitting into the conventional job industry persisted. After 6 years I have found myself ready to dance again, and I’m going to do it my way. I have created this business because I want to share my passion with others, to inspire them for their journeys or to open up a conversation. I want to teach quality fulfilling dance classes to all my students. And mostly to enjoy the experience and enjoy who you are. Join me as I continue this extraordinary life through dance, embracing every twist and turn, and expressing my truest self through the language of dance. Let’s explore the boundless possibilities that dance offers, not just as a career, but as a way of life.