Dance School of Tamim 

At Dance School of Tamim we teach the Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus (RAD). The RAD recently turned 100 years. Classical ballet is a wonderful way for students to learn proper posture, grace, build confidence, learn a solid foundation for other genres of dance, and to experience the joy dancing brings. Class Awards or Examinations are offered at all levels.

At Dance School of Tamim we teach the Spanish Dance Society Syllabus (SDS). The SDS were established well over 50 years ago. Spanish dance consists of three main styles: Regional, Escuela Bolera, and Flamenco, of which the latter is probably the most well-known. Spanish dance is a wonderful way for students to grow confidence, to learn rhythmicality, to learn to express emotions through dance, and to experience the pure joy dancing brings. Class Awards or Examinations are offered at all levels.

Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) is a cutting-edge body-conditioning and strengthening program created to enhance students' technique by focusing on developing the muscle memory needed for various dance forms. This unique training system employs ballet-specific exercises to promote skill acquisition in a structured and progressive manner, from junior to advanced levels. PBT assists teachers globally in equipping their students with the strength required to reach their personal best.

Ballet

Spanish

Private Lessons and PBT

Ballet

Spanish

Ballet Timetable

Ballet – RAD (Royal Academy of Dance)

Grade 1

Age: 7+ Years

Time: 2:30pm to 3:30pm

Location: Old School Building, Greenhithe

Grade 5

Age: 11+ Years

Time: 4:30pm to 5:30pm

Location: Old School Building, Greenhithe

Advanced 1

Age: 14+ Years

Time: 6:30pm to 8pm

Location: Old School Building, Greenhithe

Spanish Timetable

SDS (Spanish Dance Society)

Preparacion and Ingreso

Age: 6+ Years

Time: 3:30pm to 4:30pm

Location: Old School Building, Greenhithe

Primer Ano

Age: 8+ Years

Time: 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Location: Old School Building, Greenhithe

Segundo Ano

Age: 9+ Years

Time: TBC

Location: Old School Building, Greenhithe

Private Lesson Timetable

Ballet and Spanish

These lessons are for students who would like to focus on particular areas of their work in preparation for their exams, or similar. Lessons are arranged and planned on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Erika to book your lesson.

Location: All lessons at Greenhithe

Ballet Uniforms
Girls
  • A white leotard, style - Jesse, with matching white skirt.
  • Short pink socks and pink ballet shoes (full sole) with pink elastics.
  • Red flowers may be worn in the hair around the bun.

These items can all be purchased from Dancers Wardrobe.

Girls’ hair must be in a ballet bun. Please follow this tutorial:

Youtube Video

Boys
  • A white leotard with a short sleeve, or a tight-fitting white shirt with a sleeve.
  • Black shorts.
  • White socks and white ballet shoes (full sole) with white elastics.

These can be purchased from Dancers Wardrobe.

Girls
  • A red leotard, style – Energetiks Charlotte (Dance Store NZ), with a red waistband.
  • Long pink tights and pink ballet shoes (full sole) with pink elastics. Maries Dance Boutique.
  • Black character shoes with pink elastics. Maries Dance Boutique.
  • Character Skirt (Please order from the teacher).
  • Red flowers may be worn in the hair around the bun.

These items can all be purchased from Dancers Wardrobe. Character Skirts will be made by the dressmaker and must be ordered from the teacher.

Girls’ hair must be in a ballet bun. Please follow this tutorial:

Youtube Video

Boys
  • A white leotard with a short sleeve, or a tight-fitting white shirt with a sleeve.
  • Black long tights.
  • Black socks and black ballet shoes (full sole) with black elastics.

These can be purchased from Dancers Wardrobe.

Girls
  • A black leotard, style – cleo camisole, with a black waistband. (Dancers Wardrobe).
  • Long pink tights with pink ballet shoes (full sole). Maries Dance Boutique.
  • Shoes must have thinner pink, satin pointe shoes ribbons.
  • Black character shoes, cuban heel with pink elastics. Maries Dance Boutique.
  • Character Skirt (Please order from the teacher).
  • Red flowers may be worn in the hair around the bun.

These items can all be purchased from Dancers Wardrobe. Character Skirts will be made by the dressmaker and must be ordered from the teacher.

Girls’ hair must be in a ballet bun. Please follow this tutorial:

Youtube Video

Boys
  • A white leotard with a short sleeve, or a tight-fitting white shirt with a sleeve.
  • Black long tights.
  • Black socks and black ballet shoes (full sole) with black elastics.

These can be purchased from Dancers Wardrobe.

Girls
  • A black leotard, style – cleo camisole (exam leotard), with a black waistband. During class other leotards may be worn.
  • Long pink tights with pink ballet demi-pointe shoes (full sole) as well as pointe shoes.
  • Shoes must have pointe shoe ribbons.
  • A black half tutu or a short black wrap skirt will be worn for the variation.
  • Red flowers may be worn in the hair around the bun.

These items can all be purchased from Dancers Wardrobe.

Girls’ hair must be in a ballet bun. Please follow this tutorial:

Youtube Video

Spanish Uniforms
Girls
  • Black long sleeve leotard, style – Jesse from Dancers Wardrobe; or style - Capezio from Dance Store NZ.
  • Ballet tights, or black socks can be worn for class. The tights necessary for exams or performances are the colour, ‘almost black’, brand – Secrets – available from Farmers.
  • The Spanish skirt with red frill will be made by the dressmaker and should be ordered from the teacher.
  • Flamenco shoes. Please check with the teacher the best place to purchase shoes. El Mundo Flamenco (UK) can be tried.
  • Castanets can be ordered from the teacher.

There might also be options to rent the skirts, shoes, and castanets.

Girls’ hair must be in a flamenco bun. Red flowers may be worn in the hair around the bun. Please follow this tutorial:

Youtube Video

Also watch the ballet bun video if you need to confirm all you need. You do not need combs for the hair.

Boys
  • A white shirt with long sleeve.
  • Long black pants.
  • Black socks.
  • Black flamenco shoes.
  • And castanets.

There are also options to rent the shoes and castanets, or the teacher will provide information on where to purchase these.

About Us

As a young dancer Erika mainly focused her dance training on RAD Ballet, Jazz, and Spanish Dance, while attending Pro Arte Alphen Park School for the Arts. While training for her RAD and SDS teaching qualifications, she was also dancing part-time with various dance groups/organisations.

Then, in 2008, Erika sold her dance school, and moved to New Zealand from South Africa. Shortly after arriving she started teaching full-time at Auckland Academy of Dance alongside RAD dual examiner Carole Speirs. Years later, when Erika became a mother, she decided to freelance instead, and taught at various esteemed dance schools around Auckland.

Now that her children are older, Erika felt it time to start up her own dance school again…and so, Dance School of Tamim were born.

Erika wants to share the joy dancing brings with all her students, and endeavours to see them thrive.

Owner, Director & Principal Teacher

Erika Marais – ARAD, RAD RTS & SDS IDB, Silver Swans Licensee

Tamim Creyente

Fees

Prices are per term. Invoices are emailed at the beginning of each term and are due within 7 days. Payment plans are available upon request. All costs incurred in the recovery of overdue accounts will be added to the total amount owed.

Ballet

Grade 1 (1 Class per week) - $180

Grade 5 (1 Class per week) - $200

Advanced 1 (1 Class per week) - $270

Spanish

Preparacion (1 Class Per week) - $180

Ingreso (1 Class per week) - $180

Primer Ano (1 Class per week) - $180

Segundo Ano (1 Class per week) - $180

Privates

Fees will depend on the length of the lesson, and whether the lesson is shared.