Amelia Chandulal-Mackay
– Monday Upper Beginner Ballet, Thursday Swans Ballet & Private Lessons
Amelia was born and raised in Whanganui. She trained under the direction of her mother, Anna Chandulal, at the Whanganui Ballet and Dance Academy and received supplementary training from Gwenda Britten, Jacqui Trimmer and the Associate’s program at the New Zealand School of Dance. Amelia completed her pre-professional training at Ecole Vocational Ballet and Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy and enjoyed further summer intensive scholarship opportunities overseas. She was a trainee at Orlando Ballet, and danced with Milwaukee Ballet II and Oklahoma City Ballet Studio Company.
Since returning to New Zealand, Amelia has continued to dance on a freelance basis and has enjoyed various performance opportunities including works by Lesley Bandy, Meaghan Rowe and Mary-Jane O’Reilly’s ‘Ballet Noir’. In 2024 she joined Ballet Collective Aotearoa, led by previous ballet mistress of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Turid Revfeim. Amelia is also a passionate ballet teacher and teaches at a range of studios in Auckland. Additionally, Amelia has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminology and a postgraduate diploma education: counselling and guidance.
Sarah Hammerton – Saturday Absolute Beginner Ballet
Sarah began her love of dance at the age of four in Canada, with training in ballet and jazz. She then moved onto modern, ballroom, and belly dance. Since moving to New Zealand she has undertaken cabaret and Latin, as well as performing as a solo burlesque artist. Sarah is also a seasoned Power Lifter, rower, and former rugby player – so she knows a thing or two about injuries and longevity!
While her teaching career is just beginning, Sarah brings years of performance experience as well as a background in anatomy and rehabilitation through her career as a Sports Massage Therapist. She is currently studying Health Promotion at Massey University, with a focus on Women’s healh and representation in health policy.
She believes that ballet is for every body, and is devoted to making it accessible to anyone who wants to dance
Yuka Aramaki – Private Lessons
Yuka began her career as a flight attendant a year ago, which currently prevents her from teaching group lessons. Nevertheless, she continues to share her passion for dance through private instruction.
Trained in the Russian ballet method since the age of 3, she has a rich background in ballet, including running her own ballet school. I have attended her classes several times before, and I‘ve always appreciated the friendly atmosphere that she created and her practical advice gained through Russian ballet training.
If you’d like to polish your technique or need a couple of private lessons before jumping into any group lessons, you’ll be in excellent hands. To book a lesson, please contact Yuka via email at yuka.akl.ballet@gmail.com