The Studio Team
George Nicholls - Principal
George began dancing when he was 5 years old and went on to have a successful competitive dance career in both NZ and Australia. He placed highly as a professional dancer and was the NZ Ten Dance Pro Rep Tai Pei Asian Pacific. George is also a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and previously represented NZ at the Oceania Games in the mid 80s.
George has been teaching dancing full-time for the past 25 years. He teaches many successful competitive couples and has trained many national champions, including the 2008 NZ Professional Latin title holders and finalists in the 2008 Adult A Grade & Open Latin. In 2001 George married Tracie who is a open national finalist in Latin & American style.
Jackie Drakeford - Principal
Jackie’s dancing career commenced at the age of three years old when she took her first medal and by four years old had participated in her first Dancesport Championship. Enthusiastic about dancing, continued through all the age divisions and grades, travelling to other countries to train and compete. At 18 Jackie decided to compete with her brother George Nicholls and had a successful partnership through the Amateur Divisions and then later as Professional competitors.
Voted onto the New Zealand Federal Association of Teachers of Dancing Inc. as an executive, she became the vice president and accepted an examinership when it was offered, at the completion of her own professional degrees.
Jackie currently remains The Vice – President for the NZFATD Inc., a Fellow Examiner in all four styles and the Chairperson for the Wellington Centre. Although now retired from competing she adjudicates and examines regularly, is a main instigator at setting up the New Zealand Accreditation Programme, which keeps her involved at setting standards and doing workshops as well as her day to day coaching and teaching.
Jackie is a full time dancer and is one an elite group that has been able to achieve this.
Email: j.drakefordnz@gmail.com
Phone: 027 591 7755
Email: ghnicholls@gmail.com
Phone: 027 440 3755