Dance For Life Academy – from Cygnets to Swans

Welcome!

Find your dance home at DFLA

You will be welcomed into a place of joy and embraced by our friendly community with encouragement to make you shine

Whether you have danced in the past or are a complete beginner, we nurture our dancers from their first steps and love to celebrate their achievements.

Embrace your Dream 🩰 Dance with Your Heart!

Please email bookings@nzballet.co.nz for more information.

BOOKINGS

TIMETABLE

ENROL ONLINE

Term enrolments, trials and casual options available. Join during the term and fees will auto prorate.

See the latest in studio timetable here

Need help choosing a class? Check here first

Need help booking? Check here first

Email bookings@nzballet.co.nz for any enrolment enquiries.

Ballet Initiation Course

for the complete adult beginner

Term 1, 2025 Courses now open for bookings!

Choose from

Saturdays 9am – 10am from February 1st

Tuesdays 6-7pm from February 4th

Phase 1 runs for five weeks for $125, following by Phase 2, six weeks for $150. You can opt out after Phase 1 if you decide it’s not for you.

Book online today, or for further information, please email bookings@nzballet.co.nz

These courses are in person in Onehunga, Auckland. More information

For online courses click here.

We would just LOVE to have you join us at DFLA where every adult now has the opportunity to learn ballet! To learn ballet correctly, it’s best to start with our 5-week Ballet Initiation Course.

You will learn ballet from absolute scratch.
BOOK: Please book in here, under the Ballet Initiation Course Tab: https://dancestudio-pro.com/online/aaab

Testimonials

What our students are saying

“I love DFLA – so accepting, caring, and yet with an expectation that we will push ourselves to bring out the dancer inside”

Niki Harre

Come Dance with Us!

Virtually from anywhere!

JOIN ADULT BALLET & SENIOR SWANS CLASSES LIVE ON ZOOM!

Inviting students of Adult Ballet and Senior Swans who adore ballet to take studio classes as a VIRTUAL STUDENT.

Follow along from the back of the classroom
Enjoy a clear view and clear audio
Recording is available to do the class in your own time (by request for 3 days)
$15nzd ($9.50usd) per class

Join the famous Dance For Life Academy and sign up for a Virtual Class today!

View the timetable and details here

Returning Dancers

Our studio is waiting for you!

Did you dance in your youth? Do you remember that feeling of standing at the barre, expressing your heart through dance? Here in our safe, inclusive and non-competitive adult ballet studio environment, you will re-discover those joys with like-minded peers and reignite your love for ballet!

Click here to find out more.

Senior Swans®

It's Never too Late!

Are you over 50? Join the flock today! It’s never too late!

Wonderful supportive community
Gentle exercise, carefully guided
Beautiful music

Click here to find out more.

Children's Classes

BALLET , CREATIVE DANCE, JAZZ FUSION

Dance Conditioning

Strength and Stretch

Get dance fit with our conditioning classes from our certified instructors! Choose from:

Conditioning for Ballet
Gentle conditioning for Senior Swans
Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) & Dance Strength

Introduction from our Artistic Director

Kathleen Curwen-Walker LCBA (Cecchetti)

We would love to hear from you!

Get in contact with us today

Testimonials

Passionate and experienced teachers

DFLA has a friendly environment and fantastic, passionate and experienced teachers with serious approaches to dancing. They set the ‘barre’ very high and challenge us each time.

Yulia Vugman

Kind, positive

Welcoming, kind, positive - all my dealings prior to my first class and during, have been like this. I'm really looking forward to continuing my journey of ballet, after a 30+ year break from this style of dance.

Suzi McMaster Wallis

Good for the whole body and mind

I would highly recommend this adult ballet learning studio. I have never danced in my life and am slowly getting my head around the terminology and positions. The classes are nice and small with friendly likewise women. It helps with any balance issues and very good for the whole body and mind.

Jan Baxter

Super bunch of ladies

Just joined today and cant wait to go back for more. A super bunch of ladies, a most welcoming class and an excellent tutor.

Judy Cook

None compare to AAAB

I have taken ballet classes in London, Melbourne, Sydney, Toronto and Auckland but none compare to the classes at Auckland Academy of Adult Ballet. The programme of initiation classes through progression to advanced level means that everyone in the class is at the same level. There is no intimidation or feeling like you are not good enough to be there, and Kathy's caring approach to correct technique is really amazing.

Ros JH

Lovely friendly small class

I've joined an adult ballet class after a 25 year break and loving it. This is a lovely friendly class in a spacious dance studio in Onehunga.

Rebecca Girvan

So accepting, caring

I love DFLA - so accepting, caring and yet with an expectation that we will push ourselves to bring out the dancer inside!

Niki Harre

Encouraging and experienced tutors

Come and try it ! Wonderful experience and special rates for the first two trial classes....beautiful, encouraging and experienced tutors. You will love it!

Hilary Weeks

learn REAL ballet technique

I really ❤️❤️ 😍 DFLA. This is a real ballet school where you learn REAL ballet technique. Every class is a REWARDING experience and the atmosphere is AWESOME. The teachers are FAB. They know how to teach adults properly and prevent injuries. The music is INSPIRATIONAL. I get to dance with FANTASTIC classmates. Everyone - all ages and shapes - are made to feel WELCOME. I returned to ballet after a 35+ year break and am doing better than when I was a kid!! HAVE A GO!

Steph Clout

Slightly nervous as a beginner

I love my dance classes! I never danced as a child and was slightly nervous as a beginner but I am improving and gaining confidence. Definitely noticed how toned my legs are since starting!! Thanks

Zoe Larner Smith

Diverse coaching options

"I can’t imagine coming back to dance any other way. So many diverse coaching options, genres and choreographers to suit your needs. Kathy's studio is empowering for women who have a love for the art and encourages women to have courage on their dancing journey."

Sasha Large

I found a teacher who is hyper-vigilant

“I did class this morning and the only question I had afterwards was how soon I could do another. For once I've found a teacher who is hyper-vigilant about our posture and not merely intent on getting a workout for herself.”

Rose Hepozden

Magical breakthrough!

"I started adult ballet classes ( the first time) around 1992 after a lifetime of longing to do so, and being labeled a ‘klutz’ by my family. I had always been the shy, ‘grey, invisible middle child’s growing up, and being extremely self-conscious. Nearly 8 years later, my teacher organise a show where we performed for invited family and friends only – people who came to see us succeed. For me, it was the most magical breakthrough to stand up and be seen, and my confidence made a quantum leap – I even decided I loved performing!!"

Sheri Suckling

Best time of my week

"Ballet is the best time of my week when I can leave the stresses of life at the door and totally focus on my body! Doing adult ballet is amazing, not scary or intimidating at all especially with such a kind caring teachers"

Elizabeth Cullen

dance academy