About
Principal:
Maxene Jeffares
Qualifications:
B.Ed, Dip Tchg.
NZAMD examiner.
ISTD international Teaching Team.
RAD Ballet Teachers Certificate (Distinction)
RAD Ballet Diploma.
AISTD Dip Modern Jazz and Tap (Distinction)
NZAMD solo Tap. L4 Contemporary (Dist).
Former professional dancer NZAMD, ISTD, RAD registered Teacher. National Adjudicator. Celebrating Maxene’s 34th year of running a dance school in 2026!! Maxene began dancing at the age of three. At the age of fifteen she was awarded a scholarship to train full-time at the ‘Brisbane Dance Centre’, Australia. She established her first dance school in Levin in 1993 and ‘Maximum Dance Zone’ in 2002 which continues to grow in Palmerston North today. In 1996 Maxene auditioned for a Sydney based company ‘Dance Encore’ and was successful in gaining a place in a tour to Japan which was a highlight of her performance career. Maxene has been responsible for the Manawatu Cheerleading squad, choreography for Miss Manawatu and the tap items in the 2011 show of 42nd Street. She often adjudicates national dancing competitions. She is proud to be able to pass on my love of dance to children. We have an incredibly versatile staff ready to share our skills and extend and challenge the dancers at our studio. Maximum Dance Zone boasts a 100% pass rate.
Qualifications:B.Ed, Dip Tchg.
NZAMD examiner.
ISTD international Teaching Team.
RAD Ballet Teachers Certificate (Distinction)
RAD Ballet Diploma.
AISTD Dip Modern Jazz and Tap (Distinction)
NZAMD solo Tap. L4 Contemporary (Dist).
Former professional dancer NZAMD, ISTD, RAD registered Teacher. National Adjudicator. Celebrating Maxene’s 34th year of running a dance school in 2026!! Maxene began dancing at the age of three. At the age of fifteen she was awarded a scholarship to train full-time at the ‘Brisbane Dance Centre’, Australia. She established her first dance school in Levin in 1993 and ‘Maximum Dance Zone’ in 2002 which continues to grow in Palmerston North today. In 1996 Maxene auditioned for a Sydney based company ‘Dance Encore’ and was successful in gaining a place in a tour to Japan which was a highlight of her performance career. Maxene has been responsible for the Manawatu Cheerleading squad, choreography for Miss Manawatu and the tap items in the 2011 show of 42nd Street. She often adjudicates national dancing competitions. She is proud to be able to pass on my love of dance to children. We have an incredibly versatile staff ready to share our skills and extend and challenge the dancers at our studio. Maximum Dance Zone boasts a 100% pass rate.
Kristina Beddis-McErlean
Qualifications:
AISTD Tap (Dist).
Inter ISTD Modern.
L6 Hip Hop.
Kristina was a former student of Maxene’s. Kristina excelled in competition and examination work as a youngster. In 2007 Kristina was a finalist in the NZAMD Hip Hop Nominations. Kristina has a passion for Tap dance. She is a wonderful and encouraging teacher who also runs her own dance classes in Levin.
Qualifications:AISTD Tap (Dist).
Inter ISTD Modern.
L6 Hip Hop.
Kristina was a former student of Maxene’s. Kristina excelled in competition and examination work as a youngster. In 2007 Kristina was a finalist in the NZAMD Hip Hop Nominations. Kristina has a passion for Tap dance. She is a wonderful and encouraging teacher who also runs her own dance classes in Levin.
Emma Carey
Qualifications:
NZAMD Teachers Certificate.
Advanced 1 ISTD Modern and RAD Ballet.
RAD Grade 8 Ballet (distinction)
NZAMD SOLO contemporary.
Emma has been dancing since the age of 5, and hasn’t wanted to stop ever since. She has danced in and choreographed many troupes and soloists involved in PACANZ, and has choreographed shows for MYTH (Manawatū Youth Theatre) for the last 3 years, gaining Regional Theatre Award nominations for her choreography. Emma is head of Contemporary at MDZ for 2026, and gained her Teachers Certificate in Contemporary through NZAMD in 2024. She enjoys providing a safe space for students to try new things and explore how the body moves in different ways. Emma also graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise in 2017 and continues to share her knowledge in health and wellbeing with students and staff at Massey, and the wider community
Qualifications:NZAMD Teachers Certificate.
Advanced 1 ISTD Modern and RAD Ballet.
RAD Grade 8 Ballet (distinction)
NZAMD SOLO contemporary.
Emma has been dancing since the age of 5, and hasn’t wanted to stop ever since. She has danced in and choreographed many troupes and soloists involved in PACANZ, and has choreographed shows for MYTH (Manawatū Youth Theatre) for the last 3 years, gaining Regional Theatre Award nominations for her choreography. Emma is head of Contemporary at MDZ for 2026, and gained her Teachers Certificate in Contemporary through NZAMD in 2024. She enjoys providing a safe space for students to try new things and explore how the body moves in different ways. Emma also graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise in 2017 and continues to share her knowledge in health and wellbeing with students and staff at Massey, and the wider community
Emma Jane Skinner
Qualifications:
RAD CBTS, NZAMD jazz solo dip.
Emma-Jane began dancing at the age of 4 taking ballet first, followed by Jazz, hip hop, contemporary and tap. She has been teaching for 12 years and in 2015 completed her Royal Academy of Dance certificate in Ballet teaching studies. She ran her own studio in Pahiatua for 3 years and has enjoyed preparing students for exams, competitions and end of year shows. Ballet is her passion and she loves passing her knowledge on to the students.
Qualifications:RAD CBTS, NZAMD jazz solo dip.
Emma-Jane began dancing at the age of 4 taking ballet first, followed by Jazz, hip hop, contemporary and tap. She has been teaching for 12 years and in 2015 completed her Royal Academy of Dance certificate in Ballet teaching studies. She ran her own studio in Pahiatua for 3 years and has enjoyed preparing students for exams, competitions and end of year shows. Ballet is her passion and she loves passing her knowledge on to the students.
Eileen Dunbar
Qualifications:
RAD CDT, Advanced ISTD Modern, NZAMD Level 6 Contemporary, Intermediate 3 American Jazz.
Eileen started dancing age 5 learning ballet and modern jazz with Joan Irvine and continued with Gwenda Britten, later learning American Jazz with Dean McKerras.
Eileen more recently discovered Contemporary (taught by the wonderful Miss Emma at MDZ) gaining NZAMD Level 6 in 2020.
She has enjoyed performing in various local shows. A highlight was being choreographer for Guys & Dolls in 2001 and a member of the 2020 Joseph & the amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat cast.
Eileen looks forward to sharing her life-long love of dance with the students and helping them develop their dance skills & achieve to their potential.
Eileen also enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Qualifications:RAD CDT, Advanced ISTD Modern, NZAMD Level 6 Contemporary, Intermediate 3 American Jazz.
Eileen started dancing age 5 learning ballet and modern jazz with Joan Irvine and continued with Gwenda Britten, later learning American Jazz with Dean McKerras.
Eileen more recently discovered Contemporary (taught by the wonderful Miss Emma at MDZ) gaining NZAMD Level 6 in 2020.
She has enjoyed performing in various local shows. A highlight was being choreographer for Guys & Dolls in 2001 and a member of the 2020 Joseph & the amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat cast.
Eileen looks forward to sharing her life-long love of dance with the students and helping them develop their dance skills & achieve to their potential.
Eileen also enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Elsa Phillips
Qualifications:
NZAMD Level 8 Hip Hop (distinction and scholarship), NZAMD Level 6 Contemporary, ISTD Intermediate Modern Jazz.
Hi, my name is Elsa Phillips and I’ve been dancing since I was four. I have trained with Maximum Dance Zone in hip hop, contemporary and jazz and found my love for teaching in late 2024. I love the wonderful feeling I get when I dance and how it brings people together. I am very grateful for the opportunity to teach hip hop to young dancers and watch them grow.
Qualifications:NZAMD Level 8 Hip Hop (distinction and scholarship), NZAMD Level 6 Contemporary, ISTD Intermediate Modern Jazz.
Hi, my name is Elsa Phillips and I’ve been dancing since I was four. I have trained with Maximum Dance Zone in hip hop, contemporary and jazz and found my love for teaching in late 2024. I love the wonderful feeling I get when I dance and how it brings people together. I am very grateful for the opportunity to teach hip hop to young dancers and watch them grow.
Danica Ward
Advanced 2 ISTD Tap(Dist), Grade 8/Intermediate Foundation RAD Ballet & ISTD Modern.
Hi I’m Danica. I have been dancing with Maximum Dance Zone since I was five and have trained in tap, jazz, contemporary, and ballet over my years at the studio. Dance is my passion and I would love to share and pass on my passion to the younger students.
Advanced 2 ISTD Tap(Dist), Grade 8/Intermediate Foundation RAD Ballet & ISTD Modern.Hi I’m Danica. I have been dancing with Maximum Dance Zone since I was five and have trained in tap, jazz, contemporary, and ballet over my years at the studio. Dance is my passion and I would love to share and pass on my passion to the younger students.
Jasmine Zhou
Qualifications:
Intermediate & Grade 8 RAD Ballet, Intermediate ISTD jazz (dist), Level 6 NZAMD contemporary
Kia ora, my name is Jasmine Zhou! I’ve been with MDZ since I was 5, training in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. I’m passionate about making dance a safe, welcoming space to grow and explore movement, self-expression, and potential. Outside of the studio, you can find me studying Creative Media at UCOL.
Qualifications:Intermediate & Grade 8 RAD Ballet, Intermediate ISTD jazz (dist), Level 6 NZAMD contemporary
Kia ora, my name is Jasmine Zhou! I’ve been with MDZ since I was 5, training in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. I’m passionate about making dance a safe, welcoming space to grow and explore movement, self-expression, and potential. Outside of the studio, you can find me studying Creative Media at UCOL.
Victoria gorrie
Qualifications:
AJDA advanced level 2 jazz, AJDA level 10 contemporary
Hi, I’m Victoria — a 17-year-old dancer who has trained for nine years, including five years competing at a high competition level. My background includes nine years of jazz, tap, and ballet; seven years of hip hop and modern; and four years of contemporary. Training at Dance Unlimited is where I discovered my passion for hip hop, which has shaped much of my dance journey. Over the past five years, I’ve taught competitive crews, working with school groups at PNGHS as well as company crews at Dance Unlimited. I began assistant teaching at 14, and quickly fell in love with choreography and sharing my love of dance with others. Since then, I’ve choreographed numerous competition teams with many of which have earned placings at competitions throughout New Zealand. I’ve also taught at several local high schools while continuing to run regular classes. A highlight of my own performance career has been placing 1st in the varsity section and 2nd in the solo section at an international competition, World Supremacy Battlegrounds. I’m so excited to join Maximum Dance Zone and can’t wait to meet you all soon!
Qualifications:AJDA advanced level 2 jazz, AJDA level 10 contemporary
Hi, I’m Victoria — a 17-year-old dancer who has trained for nine years, including five years competing at a high competition level. My background includes nine years of jazz, tap, and ballet; seven years of hip hop and modern; and four years of contemporary. Training at Dance Unlimited is where I discovered my passion for hip hop, which has shaped much of my dance journey. Over the past five years, I’ve taught competitive crews, working with school groups at PNGHS as well as company crews at Dance Unlimited. I began assistant teaching at 14, and quickly fell in love with choreography and sharing my love of dance with others. Since then, I’ve choreographed numerous competition teams with many of which have earned placings at competitions throughout New Zealand. I’ve also taught at several local high schools while continuing to run regular classes. A highlight of my own performance career has been placing 1st in the varsity section and 2nd in the solo section at an international competition, World Supremacy Battlegrounds. I’m so excited to join Maximum Dance Zone and can’t wait to meet you all soon!
Porsha De Cleene
Qualifications:
Adv2 RAD.
Hi, I’m Porsha and I’ve been dancing since I was 7 years old. While ballet is my passion (I can still be found attending a class or doing pirouettes around the house!), I also spent a number of years doing jazz and contemporary. For me dancing is about the feeling it creates and it’s a pure joy to see students find that feeling too!
Qualifications:Adv2 RAD.
Hi, I’m Porsha and I’ve been dancing since I was 7 years old. While ballet is my passion (I can still be found attending a class or doing pirouettes around the house!), I also spent a number of years doing jazz and contemporary. For me dancing is about the feeling it creates and it’s a pure joy to see students find that feeling too!
Emily Sutherland
Qualifications:
Adv Foundation/G8 RAD Ballet, Solo NZAMD Contemporary, Intermediate ISTD Modern (Dist).
Hey, I’m Emily and I have been dancing with Maximum Dance Zone from the age of 3. I have trained in the genres of ballet, jazz and contemporary. I have always had a real passion for dance from little and I enjoy sharing this love of dance with others.
Qualifications:Adv Foundation/G8 RAD Ballet, Solo NZAMD Contemporary, Intermediate ISTD Modern (Dist).
Hey, I’m Emily and I have been dancing with Maximum Dance Zone from the age of 3. I have trained in the genres of ballet, jazz and contemporary. I have always had a real passion for dance from little and I enjoy sharing this love of dance with others.
Ashley Snow
Hi All! My name is Ashley Snow, and I am so excited to be a part of Maximum Dance Zone in 2026. I am currently a third-year Massey University student studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Education. My passion for working with tamariki has developed through various avenues, including martial arts, camp leadership opportunities, and, of course, dance. I was a competitive gymnast for three years before starting jazz at age 11 with Kate Martin School of Dance. Soon after, I joined both contemporary and the newly formed acro classes, which soon became my primary interest. Throughout secondary school, I was a part of the competitive dance team for Kate Martin, and also competed in Dance NZ Made Regionals and Nationals. My acro teaching journey started at age 13 with assisting in teaching younger students’ classes and overseeing their progress. This allowed me to develop the safety awareness and technical knowledge required to achieve my Acrobatic Arts Module One Teacher Certificate in 2020. Since then, I have worked as a part-time/casual acro teacher at Levin The Movement Dance Studio, where I have gained extensive experience in managing and operating classes effectively and built a positive, welcoming community for all ākonga. I can’t wait to get started and see what next year has to bring! See you soon.
Hi All! My name is Ashley Snow, and I am so excited to be a part of Maximum Dance Zone in 2026. I am currently a third-year Massey University student studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Education. My passion for working with tamariki has developed through various avenues, including martial arts, camp leadership opportunities, and, of course, dance. I was a competitive gymnast for three years before starting jazz at age 11 with Kate Martin School of Dance. Soon after, I joined both contemporary and the newly formed acro classes, which soon became my primary interest. Throughout secondary school, I was a part of the competitive dance team for Kate Martin, and also competed in Dance NZ Made Regionals and Nationals. My acro teaching journey started at age 13 with assisting in teaching younger students’ classes and overseeing their progress. This allowed me to develop the safety awareness and technical knowledge required to achieve my Acrobatic Arts Module One Teacher Certificate in 2020. Since then, I have worked as a part-time/casual acro teacher at Levin The Movement Dance Studio, where I have gained extensive experience in managing and operating classes effectively and built a positive, welcoming community for all ākonga. I can’t wait to get started and see what next year has to bring! See you soon.
Chantelle Christensen
(Guest Teacher)
Qualifications:
Adv. 2 RAD Ballet.
Former professional dancer Chantelle began dancing at the age of four. Her inspirations were Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and she really wanted to be a tap dancer. However, the Ballet shoes and fairy skirts won and she started ballet. At sixteen she won a scholarship to attend Brisbane Dance Centre as a full time student. She studied all aspects of dance including ballet, jazz, tap, singing and teacher training. After a successful audition Chantelle joined Sydney based company, ‘Dance Encore Productions’. She spent almost five years with them performing shows in Australia, Korea, Japan and New Zealand.
Since coming back to New Zealand Chantelle has been involved in teaching and choreography for theatre shows, school productions, competitions and has really enjoyed all her teaching for Maximum Dance Zone.
(Guest Teacher)Qualifications:
Adv. 2 RAD Ballet.
Former professional dancer Chantelle began dancing at the age of four. Her inspirations were Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and she really wanted to be a tap dancer. However, the Ballet shoes and fairy skirts won and she started ballet. At sixteen she won a scholarship to attend Brisbane Dance Centre as a full time student. She studied all aspects of dance including ballet, jazz, tap, singing and teacher training. After a successful audition Chantelle joined Sydney based company, ‘Dance Encore Productions’. She spent almost five years with them performing shows in Australia, Korea, Japan and New Zealand.
Since coming back to New Zealand Chantelle has been involved in teaching and choreography for theatre shows, school productions, competitions and has really enjoyed all her teaching for Maximum Dance Zone.
Competition, Relief & Assistant Teachers
Acro 1: Ashlyn Rowland – Intermediate RAD Ballet, Level 6 Contemporary, Intermediate ISTD Modern(Dist), Hip Hop 8.
Stretch & DD: Amelia O’Brien – Adv Foundation & Grade 7 RAD Ballet, Intermediate ISTD Modern (Dist)
Maia Smith – Intermediate RAD Ballet, Level 6 Contemporary, Intermediate ISTD Modern(Dist).
Sophie Simpson – Advanced Foundation, RAD Ballet
Lily McDonald – Solo Contemporary, Adv Foundation & Grade 8 RAD Ballet, Adv 1 ISTD Modern.
Alysha Smith – Acro teacher fully qualified. Solo contemporary. Intermediate rad ballet. Intermediate ISTD modern.