Dancer moves step closer to dreams

Kimberley works hard to secure her fourth diploma

Kimberley Laugesen’s dreams of dancing her way around the world are one step closer after she was recently awarded her latest diploma.

While most dancers strive to complete two diplomas during their years of study, Kimberley is part of an exclusive club and has just received her fourth.

“I’ve done all the genres — having both hip-hop and ballet is quite unusual. I really love ballet, but did hip-hop as well to make me more well rounded and versatile,” Kimberley says.

Standing out from the crowd will hopefully stand her in good stead for a career overseas, something Kimberley is putting top of her wish list. With her diverse experience in the four genres of dance, her dream is to travel, working on cruise ships and in shows.

“I love to perform for people,” she says.

Even though she has been sitting dance exams since she was 5 — and she has never failed one — the 18-yearold still gets nervous before dancing.

Those nerves have not held her or the other Dance Express pupils back, with all students gaining over 90 per cent to achieve their diplomas and scholarship recipients achieving marks over 97 per cent.

Kimberley has also gained her licentiate with New Zealand School of

Modern Dance.

“This is a high achievement and will be a boost when she auditions overseas,” says Dance Express owner and dance tutor Glenys Murphy.

Glenys says she is impressed with the resilience and commitment of all her senior exam pupils.

“The teachers have also worked exceedingly hard, making sure all pupils were prepared well. Kimberley has been particularly outstanding, gaining diplomas in hip-hop, ballet, contemporary and jazz.”

Kimberley says she may try out for the Performing Arts School in Wellington in the future, but if that doesn’t work out, there’s always Plan

B, to continue teaching 11 classes a week at Dance Express.

“I left school to concentrate on dancing and earning some money,” she says.

Glenys says she hold 47 classes each week, including from 31⁄2-yearolds to adults performing tap, jazz and ballet.

“We’re building back up since lockdown. We’ve had wonderful support and a waiting list for next year.”

Photo / Paul Taylor Kimberley Laugesen at Dance Express in Napier.

Dance Express pupils achieving their first or second diploma this year are (back row, from left) Georgia Miller, Belle Chang, Emma Holland, Shaylya Mckee, Kate Shallard. Middle row (left to right) Brooke Exeter and Hamish Robinson; front row (from left) Erin Hurtgen, Elyse King and absent Jaynie Chard.