Strength and Grace /
If Kate and Lei’ataua Limuloa look familiar, you may have seen them on New Zealand’s Got Talent 2013. They were runners-up in the final with their spellbinding adagio performance, where they were referred to as ‘the dynamic duo’. Since then, they have
Discover what Kate Limuloa has been up to since New Zealand’s
Got Talent
Atthe end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Mairehau, clusters of spirited children trickle out of a dance studio in striking blue and white jackets emblazoned with the silhouette of a dancing couple. This silhouette symbolises the owners of Silhouette Studios NZ, Kate and Lei’ataua Limuloa.
Judging by their animated enthusiasm and bubbling conversation, it ’s clear that these kids adore dancing. And with a teacher like Miss Kate, it ’s no wonder. When asked why she makes such a good teacher, they can’t say enough about her: ‘She’s nice and kind, and funny in class,’ ‘Miss Kate is the first person I’ve met that loves dancing just as much as me – she just gets me,’ and ‘She is loving, kind, hardworking and does it all on not much sleep!’
After talking to some of the Silhouette parents, it becomes abundantly clear that Kate is indeed ‘one in a million’ – they describe her as phenomenal, outstanding, gifted and committed. They tell me she’s the full package. ‘Kate loves her dancers; she takes genuine pleasure in their growth and you never get the sense it’s about her and her empire,’ says one mum. ‘Good dance teachers produce impressive dances; great dance teachers [like Kate] ignite the dancer inside the child, polish their routine and partner with it to allow the dancer to uniquely shine.’
Kate’s first taste of teaching began when she was just 13 years old. Inspired by her mother, who taught figure skating for many years, Kate started up her own dance classes for kids at her church, in a studio her dad made at the back of their house. She was always passionate about teaching, and this became crystal clear after landing a part in the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s
Giselle at 19. ‘It was an unforgettable experience, but I kept thinking that all I wanted to do was teach. It was where my heart was at.’
In 2009 she began teaching at St Margaret’s Theatre Dance Academy, a role she enjoyed for eight years. She says her teaching style was inspired by not only her mum, but her first dance teacher, Ann Judson, ‘who taught with passion, grace and love’.
In her final year at St Margaret’s, she instigated a boys-only jazz class. ‘There just wasn’t much around for boys who weren’t into hip hop,’ she recalls. She remembers noticing this from a young age. ‘When I was around 15, I remember there were only about three boys amongst 40 girls at my dance school.
Boys always seemed to be stuck at the back of the studio. Even back then I was interested in partnering and thinking about the opportunities these boys could have.’
After having two boys of her own, the desire to offer something unique for both boys and girls prompted her to launch Silhouette Studios, with a vision to introduce partnering work further on down the track. Here she was finally able to realise her dream – to focus on nurturing and encouraging boys’ dance. ‘We
wanted to show that dance is for everyone. I felt like boys just needed someone to believe in them. They want to feel like they’re winning and successful, and if they muck things up, it doesn’t matter, they’ll get there.’
Now a mother of three boys and one daughter, Kate is well qualified to deal with a bunch of boisterous boys with an excessive amount of energy to expel! Far from the tyrant
Abby Lee Miller from Dance Moms, Kate is firm yet fair, with a playful streak, which balances things out perfectly. When asked how she juggles work life and being a mum, Kate says she has great support from dance parents who help behind the scenes and lighten the load. ‘And I’m lucky enough to have a really supportive husband. He also helps with the partnering classes, which has been awesome. It’s great for the kids to have a male role model.’
The students of Silhouette Studios certainly have great role models to look up to – not many dance schools have such experienced teachers who still perform themselves. During their time on New Zealand ’s Got Talent, the media referred to Kate and Lei’ataua as the epitome of ‘Strength and Grace’– a catchphrase Kate has adopted, the words boldly displayed on her studio wall. ‘I want to build strong athletic dancers with a sense of grace – I think it’s a really important combination,’ she explains.
The couple had a break from performing after the birth of their fourth child, but began dancing again last year at Christmas in the Park, where they also had a squad performing. They organised a surprise performance for their studio showcase last year too. ‘There was nothing quite like performing for our students and setting an example,’ says Kate. ‘Seeing them cheer us on and look up at us with such awe on their faces would have to be the highlight of our teaching career.’
Says one star-struck little girl, ‘I loved watching Miss Kate dance at the show with her husband; it makes me want to be awesome just like her.’
Instilling good values into her dance students is also important to Kate, which is why the studio is gaining a reputation for its supportive environment. ‘Support and encouragement is at the top of my list,’ she explains, ‘as well as manners and zero tolerance for bullying.’ Some say she’s like a second mum to her students. They trust her, love her, and aspire to be like her.
Kate is ‘a master storyteller with music, movement and costume’. She has a clear vision for each dance in a range of genres
‘I want to build strong athletic dancers with a sense of grace – I think it’s a really important combination.’
– ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre and acro, and seeing it all come together is nothing short of spectacular.
At dance competitions, showcases and community performances, audiences are always treated to a smorgasbord of entertainment – from a breathtaking lyrical team sporting resplendent giant angel wings, to a group of slick jazz girls in turquoise and hot pink, bedazzling with their acrobatic skills. Then there’s the adorable team of pint-sized boys in suits partnered with sassy little girls reprimanding them with wooden spoons in a hilarious dance to ‘Ain’t Your Mama’, followed by a dozen impish schoolboys skilfully spinning their way across the stage to Pink Floyd’s ‘Education’ – a real crowd-pleaser.
It’s not surprising then, that the studio has had great success over the years, with entertainment and choreography awards at competitions around the country, including high placings at the New Zealand Dance Awards and the Evolution Dance Competition in the Gold Coast earlier this year. While these are notable achievements, Kate is intent on teaching her students that it’s not all about the results – it’s about entertaining audiences and evoking emotion, and for those who have seen her work, she has certainly achieved this.
There’s a lot in store for 2020 for Silhouette Studios, with more than 60 routines being crafted. Then there’s the BBO Ballet Exams and Theatre Awards, the end-of-year showcase, and they also hope to have a squad perform at Christmas in the Park again, for the third consecutive year. On top of this, the studio is hosting an inaugural Boys Convention in June.
While the recent nationwide health crisis leaves some of these events uncertain, Kate’s creativity came to the fore during the lockdown period. Worried that the cancellation of classes would have an impact on her students’ mental health, she created a fun at-home learning programme with technique and choreography videos, so that when classes resume, her students will be stronger than ever.
Since opening in 2017, Kate has poured her heart and soul into Silhouette Studios and watched it grow from strength to strength. ‘I’ve seen major improvements, great team spirit, hurdles overcome and the older kids supporting the little ones,’ she says with pride. ‘Witnessing their determination and the look on a child’s face when something clicks is just priceless. I’m so proud of them all and feel so blessed to be able to share in their dance journey.’