Our story at École Aotearoa
Discover the passion and purpose behind our unique dance studio, where joy, movement, and connection flourish in a low-pressure environment.
Who we are at École Aotearoa
Kia ora koutou
École Aotearoa is a unique little studio. I believe it is important to know my why before enrolling, as we are a little different here. I'm Marika. Here is a little about who I am and what sits behind École Aotearoa.
Before becoming a Registered Nurse, I was a dance studio owner and teacher for many years. Dance has always been a huge part of my life — not just as an art form, but as a way to build confidence, connection, and joy in young people.
Our intentional approach to dance
I stepped away from the dance industry to retrain in nursing, following a passion for health, wellbeing, and caring for others. While I absolutely love my work as an RN, I’ve really missed working with young dancers — their energy, their creativity, and the magic that comes with teaching movement.
École Aotearoa has been created to bring that back into my life — but in a very intentional way.
This is not your typical dance studio.
I’m not running this as a large business, and I’m not trying to compete with other studios. This space is about:
• Joy
• Movement
• Confidence
• Connection
• Learning in a low-pressure environment
We aim to foster a nurturing and inspiring atmosphere where every student feels valued and encouraged to explore their potential, beyond competitive pressures.