Just Dance is focused on providing high-quality dance lessons, which are fun as well as constructive. Our team of dance teachers believes dance is for anyone and everyone, and will do everything they can to meet your expectations.

 

What We Offer

Pre School & Juniors

The Rosette Grades 1-3 are aimed at kids between 3 and 6 years old. Designed to introduce children to dance in a fun and imaginative way, the 30 minute classes teach children motor skills, coordination, and group participation while fostering a love of music and movement.

Grades & Levels

We have a wide variety of classes for school-aged children in many genres including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Contemporary.   All of our classes are informed by current research and best practice and taught within a fun, creative, and dance element/concept-based framework. This provides dancers with an enjoyable experience that sparks a love of dance and builds a solid and well-rounded technical base that can be applied to other aspects of life.

Adult Classes

At Just Dance, we believe dance is for everyone and anyone. Our adult dance classes are catered for anyone who has never danced before, to people who have done a fair bit of dance. We focus on getting a good workout while learning the basics and exploring movement and music. These classes are perfect for anyone who justwants to dance!

BALLET

AGES 3+

Ballet is a fun, interactive dance genre that helps teach the basics and explore movement and music. We also offer intermediate and advanced classes for those with previous experience in ballet where more advanced movements are explored.


TAP

AGES 4+

The skills learned in tap dancing can be applied to many other genres of dance, and the small habits developed through tap dancing can make other genres of dance easier to perform. Tap dance helps to improve ankle strength, poise, symmetry, balance, and coordination.


JAZZ

AGES 4+

Jazz pairs animated expressions with sharp yet fluid motions, setting it apart from traditional styles of dance. Designed with comprehensive warm-ups, barre, floor work, progressions in the center, and stylish combinations in Latin, Lyrical, and Jazz Funk styles.


CONTEMPORARY

AGES 8+

Contemporary dance encourages dancers to be versatile in their expressions, being able to portray a wide array of movement styles and emotions. It focuses on spatial and body awareness, use of body weight, floor work, leaps, turns, the efficiency of muscle usage, and safe body alignment.

Timetable

Click on the button below to view the latest timetable.

Gallery

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Just Dance Whangarei

Keen for your little one to start dance classes?

Register now for 2025 and the first lesson is FREE!

About Us


Just Dance began in 2014 in local halls in and around Whangarei. Carla began holding classes as the only instructor, however, she soon realized her studio needed more space and staff to provide the opportunities her community needed to dance. 

In July of 2017 we started renovations on our new home on John Street and two weeks later classes began in the new studios. And we are still here today! We love our dance home which features over 5,000 square feet of space for our dancers! Our studio includes three dance studios with floating floors and a shop at the front offering the latest dance clothing, shoes, and accessories. In the back rooms, we have a Pilates/Dance studio that holds regular classes.

Our studio is not just a space for exercise where children can aspire to become dancers, but an inspiring space connecting the body, mind, and soul. Just Dance welcomes anyone and everyone willing to dive into the wonderful world of music, artistry, and dance.

Our Philosophy

 
  • Classes for all ages and abilities

  • Step-by-step physical development

  • Participation in performances
  • Small classes of up
    to 12 students

  • Affordable prices

  • Encouraging yet 
    authoritative teachers

Our Teachers

Carla Bedford

OWNER, Dance Teacher &Pilates Instructor

"Dancing should be fun, uplifting, and build kids self-esteem," says Just Dance owner, Carla Bedford. Dancers of all ages are taught to fall in love with movement, find their own niche, and ignite a passion for body awareness. Carla started dancing at four, which lead her to England to Dance School and she now brings the focus of a nurtured dance environment back to Northland. Carla also runs Pilates classes and loves the opportunity she has to change lives through fitness and dance.

Lena Newport

DANCE TEACHER

" I grew up in Russell, but have called Whangarei home now for over 10 years. My love for dance started at 5 years old, trying many styles before focusing on Jazz. I also have a passion for health, fitness and movement completing a degree in Sport and Recreation through AUT. This has given me knowledge and resources to encourage and help others discover their love for movement and dance. For me it's all about loving what you do and having fun, I hope to help kids at 'just dance' discover and enjoy their passion for dance."

Claudia Evans

Dance Teacher


Claudia Evans, an NZAMD registered teacher, studied Tap Dancing under Jackie Boyd for 5 years and successfully completed NZAMD Tap Exams (all awarded with Distinction) including the Solo Performance Diploma, and received multiple nominations to the annual NZAMD Scholarship Auditions held in Wellington and Auckland. Claudia has competed in Tap competitions around New Zealand winning a variety of awards. After gaining a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Auckland, Claudia has realised her passion still lies in the performing arts and is looking forward to teaching Tap exams and competition dances at Just Dance Whangārei.

Kayla Ganley

Dance Teacher

Kayla has been classically trained since the age of four and since that first lesson dance has been her passion. She now loves teaching students of all ages ballet and contemporary. Having recently graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Arts, Kayla is also pursuing a career in Graphic Design andPhotography. Movement makes Kayla feel free and she hopes to bring that passion to the students at ‘just dance’.

Jess Coleman

Dance Teacher

"I have loved dance my whole life. I love to do it, watch it, and be around it. My passion has always been more hip hop/commercial. I grew up in Whangaparaoa and tried Ballet, Jazz, and Contemporary, but found a love for Latin American and Ballroom as a young teen. My family and I moved to Whangarei 8 years ago and I have been dancing with Hardcore since we finished unpacking. I am a homeopath with 12 years of experience and have been working out of Just Thrive for the past year. I love the atmosphere and ethos of Just Thrive and am so excited to be a part of the dance team this year!"

Lily Kalis

Dance Teacher


Lily started dancing when she was 3 years old with a family friend teaching ballet in a local hall. Her teacher got pregnant and was no longer going to run the classes. A few years later Just Dance was recommended and Lily began ballet with Carla at the Pipeband hall. Over the past years, Lily has learned and grown in the Just Dance family and in 2022 began teaching her first classes. “Dance gives me a space to clear my mind and do something I love, it builds confidence and connections between like-minded people.”

Johanna Gwilliam

Dance Teacher


"I have been dancing at Just Dance for 6 incredible years and have loved every minute of it! Originally from Auckland, I started dancing at a local school before moving up north with my family.  I have completed RAD and NZAMD exams in ballet, jazz, and contemporary, and I also compete annually in local dance competitions. Dancing makes me feel free, and it is an awesome way to increase my confidence and creativity! I love the welcoming atmosphere of Just Dance and hope to bring that to my students this year as I start my teaching journey."

Testimonials

"Just Thrive offers inclusive dance classes focused on the love of dance and safe teaching practices. The teacher's passion and joy for dance come out in every class. The caliber of Pilates they offer is on par with classes offered internationally. Carla's knowledge of the body and its functions is endless, she is dedicated to understanding each individual and making sure they get the most out of each class. As a performance athlete myself I couldn’t recommend this studio enough!! A+++"

April, 2022

Emma Philips

"Carla and her team have created something really special at Just Thrive. Under their gentle and patient guidance, I’ve watched my incredibly shy girls become confident dancers, and we’ve been privileged to become part of the Just Thrive community. Highly recommend!"

April, 2022

Kyla Carlier

"I am fortunate enough to hire a room from Carla in the "Just Thrive" building and have done so for several years, therefore I get to observe many of the classes that are being held. Carla is extremely passionate and dedicated to her work and is an incredibly kind and caring person. I highly recommend her. Not only is she extremely skilled but she teaches from her heart. Adults and children alike are lucky to have her guiding them!!"

April, 2022

Lisa Bishop

"My three daughters all started with Carla at age 3, they began with ballet and have now gone on to Jazz and Contemporary. They have flourished into confident little dancers that have a love for dancing. Carla runs a great operation with affordable classes, great teachers and she has a strong following! I highly recommend!"

April, 2022

Renee Pilkington

Contact

50 John Street, CBD, Whangarei, New Zealand

Ph: 021 023 57440 Email: admin@justthrive.co.nz


Website created by Kayla Ganley
© Just Thrive Whangarei 2025