Our Team

We are fortunate to have a talented pool of dance teachers in Wanaka.  They each bring a wealth of knowledge from many corners of the world, and some have trained within our school to advanced levels & now enjoy sharing their skills.  Our staff gain a great deal of satisfaction teaching and working with our students.  They are passionate about dance, and love passing on their skills to other enthusiasts within our community.

Anna Thomas (Studio Director) 

Anna (nee Yeates) has been the Studio Director & owner of Dance Wanaka since 2011. She has taught hundreds of Wanaka preschool, youth & adult dance enthusiasts. She is a member of British Ballet Organisation (BBO) & Asia Pacific Dance Association (APDA). She has achieved her Advanced Jazz Addict Teacher Qualifications, BBO Pre Associate Teacher Qualifications, Acrobatic Arts level 1, Progressing Ballet Technique Certified, and regularly attends dance & teacher workshops/conferences to keep abreast with new techniques. 

Her background originates back to the Waikato where she obtained her advanced ballet examinations (RAD & BBO) through the tuition of Louise Hurley, Margaret Fairhead, Valarie Lisette, Carol Speirs & Prue Gooch. She was a nominee at the NZ National Young Performer Awards (1990).  She obtained her Jazz Solo Seal (NZAMD) under the direction of Keri Davies at Drury Lane (Hamilton) & Advanced American Jazz at Directions (Hamilton). She is also trained in Contemporary & Tap styles.

Anna began teaching for Margaret Fairhead School of Dance while studying BA Sport & Leisure Management (Waikato University) & performed with the Drury Lane Theatre Company & Hamilton Operatic Society. She moved to Wellington to further her professional career in marketing, while continuing her interests in the arts. She performed in Wellington Operatic Musical Shows - West End to Broadway, Ovation & Oklahoma. She has since settled in Wanaka, and has 3 beautiful daughters who are now passionate about dance also.  

2025 Teaching Team 

Anna Thomas - Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Preschool, Tap, Musical Theatre Teacher

Grace Thomas - Ballet, Preschool, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Musical Theatre Teacher

Hannah Gillespie - Jazz & Hip Hop Teacher

Taylor Weston - Jazz, Contemporary Teacher

Alexis (Lexie) Hamilton - Jazz, Contemporary, Acro Teacher

Jannette Santos - Acro teacher

Maria Hearle - Ballet Teacher

Hannah Thomas - Jazz, Contemporary Teacher

Holly Fitzgerald - Contemporary Teacher