Soulful School of Dance Staff
Mrs Harrietanne Norman - Owner and Director
Harriet’s dancing career - from New Zealand to Australia to China to England
Ballet & Jazz & Contemporary.
Harriet is classically trained in RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) Ballet to Advanced 2 as well as NZAMD Jazz and Contemporary. She achieved distinction in all 29 exams and received 6 NZAMD scholarships.
Harriet was a Contemporary Junior Associate with the New Zealand School of Dance for 4 years.
She competed in many dance competitions around New Zealand including the RAD 14+ Scholarship and PACANZ for classical ballet.
Ballroom & Latin Dance
Harriet competed in many competitions around New Zealand and won the New Zealand Open Championship for both Ballroom and New Vogue.
She lived in Melbourne for two years to pursue her Ballroom dancing and trained under top international coaches
Harriet competed throughout Australia as well as China and at the world Championships in Blackpool, England
Teaching
Harriet has a Bachelor of Teaching - Primary at the University of Waikato
She also completed an additional directed study and research scholarship on Community Dance.
Harriet was awarded a University of Waikato Blues Award for Dance.
She has now worked as a primary school teacher for 3 years and also taught ESOL for 1 year at St Paul’s Collegiate.
In 2024 Harriet was a Teaching Fellow at the University of Waikato, teaching dance in the Arts paper of the Bachelor of Teaching (primary).
Mrs Harrietanne Norman
Previously Harrietanne Embling
Harriet is very passionate about creating a dance studio that accepts everyone and allows students to strengthen their passion for dance in an authentic and kind environment. She is an extremely enthusiastic and bubbly person, and she wakes up everyday inspired to make a difference.
Miss Lily
Lily began her dancing journey when she was 4 years old, starting with Ballet classes. She then picked up Jazz knowing she wanted to excel as a dancer.
Lily joined Mrs Norman’s other studio, St Paul’s Dance Studio in 2021 and was one of the first students at the studio. She has completed many levels of IDTA Ballet exams at her previous studio and Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop and Contemporary NZAMD exams at the St Paul’s Dance Studio, receiving high marks across all and being awarded NZAMD scholarship nominations for Contemporary and Hip Hop. She is currently training in Advanced Ballet, Advanced 1 Jazz, Level 6 Contemporary, Level 8 Hip Hop, and Acro, as well as competing at competitions around the North Island with many solo dances. Lily also regularly trains in her own time using a variety of online platforms. In addition she attends workshops and conventions around the country to further her learning and challenge herself to keep improving.
In 2023 Lily assisted Mrs Norman in some Ballet and Hip Hop classes, knowing that she would love to share the passion of dance she has to her peers and younger generations. In 2024 she took up teaching her own classes at St Paul’s Dance Studio and really enjoyed the experience of passing on her knowledge and helping her students strengthen their passion for dance. Lily has played a key role in the Soulful Teaching team in 2025 and is super excited to be part of the 2026 teaching team at St Paul’s Dance Studio & Soulful School of Dance this year. Lily’s super power is creating a high-energy, positive, fun and safe environment to help and inspire others to grow and reach their goals in their own dancing journeys. Leading by example in every way.
Lily is very excited for what 2026 has in store. She can’t wait to meet her students, help them achieve and have a fantastic year!
Miss Gray
Erica is a passionate dancer who enjoys being on stage and preforming.
Her dance journey started at the age of 3 where she started ballet and later on picked up jazz, contemporary and tap. Erica’s dance journey with Mrs Norman started around the start of covid therefore being one of the first students at the St Paul’s Dance Studio in Hamilton.
She's currently taking her next steps and studying at Waikato University while making it her goal to encourage her students kids to flourish. In 2026 her goal is to allow the students to be as comfortable as they can be in a class setting so that they strive for the self improvement they are capable of.
Performing is a big passion of Ericas as she's dived into the competition world as well as performing arts. Erica has a strong love for teaching younger children and is wanting to become a primary school teacher in the future. She likes seeing students shine in an environment that allows them to express themselves and truly believes that dance allows for this.
Miss Leila
Leila began her dance journey at the age of three and quickly developed a strong passion for performing and training in a variety of styles. She has completed the full syllabus in both Jazz and Contemporary through the New Zealand Association of Modern Dance, achieving distinction in her final Jazz examination. Leila has also completed NZAMD Ballet from Elementary through to Advanced 2. Alongside her classical training, she expanded into Hip Hop and competed in the Megacrew division at the Hip Hop International New Zealand Nationals for four years, placing first two years in a row. Throughout her training, Leila performed in annual studio showcases, competitions and other performances, gaining valuable stage experience.
Leila has previous teaching experience as an Assistant Dance Teacher at The Dance Studio in Auckland from 2019–2023, where she supported classes and performances while helping younger dancers build confidence and develop their skills. She has also worked as a performing arts holiday programme dance tutor, assisting with dance workshops and productions for children.
Leila attended Mount Albert Grammar School, where she completed NCEA Dance Levels 1, 2, and 3 and was awarded several Arts awards including, Most Promising Dancer.
Leila is currently studying at the University of Waikato, completing a Bachelor of Communication, majoring in Creative Media and double minoring in Film Production and Dance. Alongside her studies she is the Treasurer of the Unity Dance Club, both teaching and working behind the scenes to help the club to continue to grow.
Leila is passionate about creating a supportive and positive environment where dancers feel confident to express themselves and grow. She loves sharing her passion for dance and inspiring students to develop both their skills and their enjoyment of movement.
Miss Estelle
Estelle is one of the teachers for our Thursday Shuffle and Shake classes. She developed a love of ballroom dancing during her teenage years and later returned to social ballroom dancing as an adult.
Estelle holds a Bachelor of Education (Early Years) and has spent many years working as a kindergarten teacher and in primary school.
Estelle has two daughters who currently dance at our studio. Since becoming a mother, Estelle has joined the teaching team, where she combines her professional background in early childhood education with her passion for dance to create engaging and enjoyable classes for our youngest dancers. Her educational background allows her to incorporate age-appropriate learning elements into her classes, supporting children’s development while fostering confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of dance.
Estelle also has firsthand experience of the challenges that can accompany early motherhood and understands how demanding life can be with a new baby. She recognises the importance of creating a supportive, welcoming environment where mothers feel comfortable returning to movement and exercise at their own pace. Through the Mum and Bubs classes, Estelle enjoys supporting mothers both physically and emotionally, helping them build confidence, connection, and wellbeing during this important stage of life.
Miss Gracie
Gracie-May has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She describes dancing as her happy place and a sport that she is extremely passionate about.
Gracie-May started her dancing journey at Auckland City School of Arts (ACSA) and trained in all dance styles. She started competing as a soloist and in dance troupes at 5 years old with Pink Cadillac being her very first Jazz solo.
Gracie-May then relocated to Hamilton and was one of the first students to dance at the St Paul’s Dance Studio when it opened. Gracie has danced to a very high level in ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip hop, acro and Tap and competed around New Zealand. She is now studying Primary Teaching at the University of Waikato.
Gracie-May has been an assistant teacher alongside Mrs Norman since the beginning of the St Paul’s Dance Studio in 2021 and in 2023 she began teaching her own classes. She loves teaching dance, and especially enjoys passing on her passion for dance to her students, so that they can grow their love for movement and music. Gracie-May is wonderful at building relationships with the students, she is extremely hard working and is a great role model to inspire students to reach their full potential. She has a positive and enthusiastic personality and reflects the Soulful School of dance values in her classes.
Gracie-May cannot wait to meet all of her students and explore dance together.
Miss Indi
Indianna started dancing when she was five years old doing Jazz , she found she had a passion for Dance the moment she stepped into the class. Indi has experience in Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, Hip Hop, Tap and Lyrical.
She has such a huge passion for dance, that she wanted to become a dance teacher. She loves teaching students, getting to know them and help them become better dancers. This is Indianna’s second year of teaching at theSoulful School of Dance. She is passionate, committed and hard working. Once she puts her mind to something she never backs down.
Indianna is so excited to teach dance again in 2026 and to pass on what she’s learnt. She has a huge passion for dance and always will. She looks forward to working with everyone at Soulful School of Dance this year!
