Our Team
Debbie de Beer – Owner & Artistic Director
Debbie’s passion is to inspire others to love dance and her passion is ballet. She knows that not every student will become a professional dancer, but she truly believes that the discipline, creativity, and confidence developed through training, choreography, and performance will positively impact their daily lives and future careers. Her goal is to create an environment where dance is for everyone—a safe, friendly, and family-oriented space where students can learn without judgment and feel supported as they grow.
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Born in Durban, South Africa, Debbie started dancing at the age of three. She was trained by her mother, a highly respected teacher and international judge, and developed expertise in ballet (RAD), modern/jazz, tap (AIDT), Spanish dance, and even a bit of ballroom dancing. Her passion for teaching began early, choreographing and instructing students from the age of 13 while actively competing in eisteddfods and competitions.
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Debbie founded her studio with a vision to create a place where dancers of all levels could thrive, whether they aim to dance professionally or simply enjoy the art. She is passionate about fostering a space of positivity, inclusivity, and community, where students feel supported and encouraged in their artistic journeys.
The studio offers the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus for ballet students as well as jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, kpop, ballroom, singing and musical theatre. Each year, the studio holds an end-of-year demonstration, providing every student with the opportunity to perform on stage and showcase their hard work. Debbie hopes to instil a lifelong love of dance while building a welcoming environment where creativity, self-expression, and a sense of belonging can flourish.
Betty Blake – Senior Ballet Teacher
Betty Blake began her ballet journey at the age of six, completing all Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) examinations from Primary to Advanced 2. She pursued her passion at the Johannesburg School of Art and Ballet, where she majored in Classical Ballet, Spanish Dance, Character/National Dance, and Classical Greek Dance.
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As a professional dancer, Betty performed with the PACT Ballet Company, the Mercedes Molina Spanish Dance Company, and the Bells and Bows Theatre Company. After relocating to Natal, she founded her own ballet school in 1972, dedicating over five decades to training dancers from Pre-Primary to Advanced 2. Her school focused on competitions, performances, and the American Performance Awards, with many of her students going on to become professional dancers and qualified RAD teachers.
Betty’s contributions to dance have been widely recognized. In 1983, she was awarded the SASAD Fellow Membership for her outstanding service to dance, and in 2000, she became a judge for the American Academy of Ballet, examining and teaching masterclasses across the world, including in the United States, Japan, and South Africa. She was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance (ARAD) in 1983 and received the prestigious RAD Life Membership in 2012. Betty is also a dedicated mentor for the RAD Teachers’ Programme and has been running the Natal Dance Festival since 2010.
With a lifelong passion for nurturing young dancers, Betty is
committed to fostering a love for ballet and musical expression in a supportive, engaging, and fun environment. She believes in guiding students with care and encouragement, helping them develop confidence, artistry, and a deep appreciation for dance that lasts a lifetime.
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Jessica de Beer – Assistant Teacher & Studio Administrator
Jessica de Beer began dancing at the age of three and has trained in Ballet (RAD and AAB Performance Awards up to Advanced 1), Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, and Contemporary. Dance has always been a deep passion of hers, and she finds immense joy in working with young dancers, watching their growth, and sharing in their excitement as they progress.
In addition to teaching, Jessica is the backbone of the studio’s administration. She handles all studio operations, from scheduling to inquiries, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
If you have any questions, big or small, Jessica is the one to turn to – she’s always happy to help!
Ella-Rose Cutfield
Ella-Rose is a qualified dance teacher and performer who has been involved in the industry since the age of two. She has trained extensively in Jazz (AJDA), Ballet (RAD and Cecchetti), Lyrical (BTDA), Contemporary, Tap, and Musical Theatre, and holds a Diploma in Commercial Dance. Ella-Rose has performed in major productions including the New Zealand premiere of Billy Elliot the Musical (ATC), Cats, Oliver, High School Musical, and the UK production of Annie the Musical. She has also achieved top marks nationally for AJDA Jazz and Advanced levels of Cecchetti Ballet. Ella-Rose is passionate about performing and inspiring others to reach their full potential.
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Lily Jones-Harvey – Contemporary & Jazz
Lily started dancing at the age of three, completing a variety of NZAMD and APDA examinations in contemporary, jazz, tap, and hip-hop. She holds a Bachelor of Dance Studies and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Dance at the University of Auckland. Having taught in various communities, schools, and studios, Lily has a strong passion for choreography, collaboration, and teaching. Her performance and teaching experience span both national and international stages, including tours across Asia and Aotearoa.
She enjoys engaging in multimodal practices and loves creating her own choreography. Lily believes that dance should be accessible to everyone and strives to create a nurturing environment where students feel confident and capable in their skills and creativity. She is excited to meet everyone at North Shore Dance Studio and grow together as a dance community!
Katja Koning
Katja’s life has been filled with music from the very beginning. Growing up in a musical family, she began piano training at a young age and later expanded to other instruments, including voice. Katja has extensive training in classical music and holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance.
With over 17 years of private teaching experience, she also holds a teaching diploma and previously taught at Westlake Girls High School. Katja is passionate about making musical education accessible to all children and is committed to rekindling a culture of singing in New Zealand.
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Nathan Smit – Hip-hop
​My name is Nathan Smit, and I represent New Zealand in world dance competitions overseas. My team and I won a world dance competition named World of Dance, held in Los Angeles.
We proudly brought home 1st place in our category and placed 4th overall in the world. With two years of teaching experience, I am a hard worker and passionate about guiding the younger generation to achieve great things. Outside of dance, my favorite cuisine is Italian, and I absolutely love chocolate!
Jaydon
Jaydon is currently in her third year of studying for a Bachelor of Dance Studies at the University of Auckland. Originally from Brunei, she has a strong background in teaching Hip-hop and K-pop to students of all ages and abilities.
Through the Dance Studies program, she has also taught dance at international schools in Shanghai, Suzhou, and Beijing. Jaydon is passionate about creating an inclusive dance space where every student feels empowered to express themselves.
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