Sophia Pedersen – Musical Theatre Director

With over 20 years experience in the Performing Arts industry, Sophia has a wealth of knowledge and a huge passion for the Performing Arts. Sophia has trained and studied gaining a Dip in Musical Theatre and Performing Arts. Gold Medals in Latin American and Ballroom dance as well as training in NZAMD Tap, Ballet and Jazz. Sophia was accepted as one of the few New Zealanders to join and perform with the Young Americans – a performance training troupe based in Los Angeles. Sophia has performed in many award-winning shows with such roles Anita – West Side Story, Maria – The Sound of Music, Roxie – Chicago, Columbia – The Rocky Horror Show, Narrator – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Lucy – Jekyll and Hyde to name a few. Sophia has a wonderful husband Matt and 4 children. She is incredibly passionate about teaching and watching students grow not only on stage but also within themselves and helping them become strong and independent individuals.

Alicia Chadwick-Cook – Dance Director

Alicia has been dancing since the age of three and has trained in all styles of dance.

In 2008, she graduated from EAPA with a Diploma in Theatre Dance and Performing Arts as well as her Teachers of Dance Diploma, both she gained Honours with Distinction.
She has also reached Advanced Two level in both ISTD Imperial ballet and ISTD Modern, and Advanced One in Tap and was a member of FUZE dance company.

Alicia holds her Associate Diploma teachers’ qualification with the ISTD in Imperial Ballet and Modern Theatre Dance & Is a registered teacher and examiner with the NZAMD.

Alicia is an accomplished teacher and choreographer, some of her teaching highlights include winning the 2021 Modern Theatre Bursary award after entering ‘Creation’ an international choreographic competition.

Alicia has also had past and present students win the NZAMD scholarship awards in both jazz as well as ballet and has had students performing in finals at PACANZ both for modern solos as well as troupes. Alicia’s students have won numerous titles and awards at national as well as international competitions including choreographic and technical awards.

Alicia loves sharing her passion of dance with the next generation and loves helping guide and nurture the next generation of dancers.

Emma Aley – Dance

Emma Aley has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She has trained in many genres including jazz, ballet, tap, contemporary and hip hop. Emma has also completed her Advanced 2 R.A.D Ballet, I.S.T.D Jazz, N.Z.A.M.D Contemporary and Jazz exams. Emma has won the NZAMD Jazz Scholarship Award (2017), been a PACANZ Finalist – top 6 / 77 competitors (2017), League of Champions – Runner Up (2017) was selected to perform for Ev and Bow at Australian Dance Festival (2019) and represented Ev and Bow at Kairos Dance Convention NZ (2019). In 2019 Emma trained at Ev and Bow in Sydney, Australia graduating with a Cert IV in dance. She is currently working towards her I.S.T.D Modern and Classical Ballet teaching associate. Emma is excited to be back in Auckland and is looking forward to training the wonderful students at Northern School of Performing Arts.

Alana Tod – Dance

Alana manages most of the jazz and hip-hop syllabuses, making her one of NSPA’s busiest teachers. She began her dance career learning ballet as a child, but soon picked up jazz, hip-hop and contemporary. By age 16, Alana was a dance addict, and she has gone on to reach Advanced Two level in ISTD Modern, and Intermediate in ISTD Ballet. She has an ISTD Associate Diploma teachers’ qualification in Imperial Ballet and Modern Theatre Dance and is a registered NZAMD syllabus teacher. Alana teaches students of all levels, and her greatest satisfaction comes from helping them grow, develop and reach their goals. She is also an acclaimed competition choreographer (winning awards for ‘Most Outstanding Troupe’ for musical theatre) and a major contributor to NSPA’s end-of-year performances.

Gemma Boswell – Dance

Gemma started dancing and competing at the young age of 4. In 2009 Gemma completed a year certificate in Contemporary dance at the Hagley Dance Company in Christchurch where she was then lucky enough to gain a place at Unitec. She graduated in 2014, with a Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts majoring in Contemporary dance.

Over the past few years has focused more on theatre shows including choreographing: Life,Death and everything in between with Rebel Theatre Company, Witches of Eastwick and 42nd street with Center stage theatre company. The Addams Family, 13 the musical, Hair, Bring it on with North Shore Music Theatre. Gemma won a NAPTA award for best choreography in a musical- The Addams family . Gemma was also lucky to choreograph the season of ”Wicked”  the musical at Sky City in 2023. Gemma has also been lucky enough to work and choreograph for Coridan Bands new music video. Gemma has a passion for teaching and loves watching her students transform and grow.

Ella Johns – Dance

Ella began her love of dancing at the age of three years old. Ella was previously coaching at Wellington Dance Academy while completing her studies. In this role Ella aided in coaching their PACANZ teams, exam groups and choreographing for competition soloists. She has had experience in almost every style of dance. Ella has completed solo seal in both contemporary and Jazz NZAMD courses receiving nominations for both the jazz and contemporary. She has also completed RAD ballet advanced two with distinction. She grew up competing as a soloist attending PACANZ for her solo’s. During her school years Ella was part of Momentum Productions performing in their show ‘Chromatic’. Ella was accepted to study at Brent Street but declined the offer following covid and is now studying law at VUW.

Ella is so excited to join NSPA in 2025 and can’t wait to continue to share her love for dance with the next generation of dancers.

Katy Newman – Dance

Katy began Ballet classes at the age of 4 and later started training in Contemporary and Jazz. She competed in troupe competitions from the age of 10 and went to PACANZ with her troupes in 2018 and 2019. In earlier years, Katy trained in Wellington gaining a foundation in up to Grade 2 IDTA ballet. She then moved to Auckland to complete up to Intermediate RAD ballet, Advanced NZAMD Ballet, and Advanced 1 ISTD Ballet exams as well as achieving all NZAMD Contemporary exams and gaining her Solo Diploma. She is now a student at the University of Auckland but dancing and teaching remains a huge commitment and passion of hers. She loves seeing students develop new technique and qualities in their dancing and helping them to achieve this.

Charlotte Pedersen – Dance

Charlotte Pedersen began performing at the age of five. She has trained in both Musical Theatre and Dance. Growing up, Charlotte studied Ballet, Jazz, and Tap, completing exams through ISTD and NZAMD. She has performed in numerous shows, including Alice in Wonderland, Jungle Book JR, Starlight Express, Annie, Oliver, Narnia, Shrek, Xanadu, Frozen JR, and Footloose. Charlotte has gained valuable experience as the assistant choreographer for Elf the Musical, where she learned the importance of teamwork in bringing a musical to life. Charlotte has traveled internationally to perform in the USA and Australia, winning awards with her performing arts school NSPA. She loves being part of the teaching team at Northern and is passionate about helping students learn and achieve their goals.

Aimee Beard – Dance

Aimee has been dancing since the age of three years old. Aimee has trained in all styles of dance throughout her years, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Tap, Commercial, and with teaching, Acro & Hip Hop. Recently, Aimee has completed her final NZAMD examinations in Ballet and Contemporary, with her final Jazz exam this upcoming year. Aimee has also trained in Musical Theatre from the age of 7, which she has grown to love. Aimee has been in the competitive side of Dance and Musical Theatre as well as participating in all of the shows from the year of 2010-2012 (NPA) and then from 2015-2025 (NSPA). Showtime has to be Aimee’s favourite, getting on stage herself and watching all her amazing students shine. Aimee started teaching in 2023 and was assisting before then. Aimee loves to teach and is very passionate about helping young dancers become the best they can be, and loves to bring her energy and positivity into her classes.

Caitlin King – Dance

Caitlin has been dancing with NSPA since the age of 3. She has an immense passion for dance and she is looking forward to sharing that passion with her students. She has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop and Contemporary, and has been dancing competitively in Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary and Musical Theatre dance genres since the age of 6. Caitlin has completed her NZAMD Ballet and Contemporary exams and is close to completing her NZAMD Jazz and Tap exams. Caitlin has competed with solos and troupes at Evolution Dance Competition Nationals (Australia, 2023) and PACANZ (2022, 2023, 2024). She has also taken part in dance for school productions and competitions including Showquest.

Eden Gibbons – Dance

Eden has been dancing since the age of four and quickly developed a love for dance. She trains in Jazz, Contemporary and Ballet – with Ballet being her favourite. Achieving Advanced levels in Jazz, Contemporary and Ballet, she has been nominated for the NZAMD awards in 2022,2023 and 2024.

She has performed at the prestigious PACANZ Awards in 2023 and has again received a nomination for 2025.

Eden has a strong passion in health and fitness training which has contributed to her personal success in dance and adds to her knowledge when it comes to teaching.

Eden has been assisting at NSPA since 2023 and looks forward to continuing her teaching.

Samantha Lathwood – Dance

Samantha Lathwood has been dancing since the age of 3 years old. She has trained in lots of different genres over her years in dance with her favourite being tap. Samantha has completed her NZAMD Jazz and Tap and BAL Tap exams along with sitting BAL Ballet exams up to and including Senior levels. Samantha was lucky enough to be able to place 2nd in the NZAMD Tap Scholarship Award and was also finalist in the Jazz Scholarship both in 2024. She has also competed in Tap at PACANZ twice and in troupes on numerous occasions. Samantha  loves being a part of Northern School of Performing Arts teaching team and feels privileged to teach their amazing students.

Megan Wilson – Musical Theatre

Megan moved to Auckland in 2011 after she trained at NASDA in Christchurch and gained her Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA)
Having previously taught for Sophia 6 years ago, Megan can’t wait to teach again and pass on her knowledge of musical theatre to NSPA students.
Megan has been part of many musicals throughout Auckland, some of them include, We Will Rock You – Teen Queen, 42nd Street – Dorothy, The Wild Party – Nadine, Sweet Charity – Charity, Hair – Crissy, The Addams Family, Godspell, West Side Story.

Tova Maddock – Musical Theatre

Tova has been performing since the age of 7, and singing for even longer. Her life’s passion has always been Musical Theatre and it has always been an enormous part of her life. Tova has grown up with NSPA and is thrilled to now be a part of the teaching staff. She has had lead roles in several local and school productions, and performed in 2022 Christmas in the Park; which was nationally televised. Freshly graduated from Kristin College, Tova aspires to study performing arts overseas in the near future with the knowledge and experience that she has gained from being a part of NSPA.

Tegan Hardy – Musical Theatre and Dance

Dancing is Tegan’s biggest passion since the age of 4 years old. During school years She performed in ACT Three productions such as 42nd Street, hairspray, sweet charity and CATS. Also, performing in the Boys high and Girls high productions of West side story and Guys and Dolls. She trained Fulltime at Village Nation in Sydney for 2 years. She was inspired by the variety of choreographers that shared all their knowledge about the industry and the world. was then introduced more into Bob Fosse and fell in love with the attention to details and the unique positionings of his style. She did a 6-month dance contract over in Mumbai India. Dancing in Bollywood Movies, TV shows and event performances. This experience was life changing for me and She is very grateful to had continued my passion overseas and call it work. Tegan is excited to be in Auckland and to be sharing her passion through teaching after just recently choreographing Chicago in Palmerston North.

Annelie Maddock – Vocal Coach

Annelie has been singing and performing for as long as she can remember. She loves the rewards of performing in front of an audience and witnessing how it can boost a child’s confidence. Originally from Sweden, Annelie studied singing for performance with teaching at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm for five years, graduating in 1999.

Before moving to New Zealand in 2003, she toured Europe and the USA with both classical choirs and a rock/pop band, and also starred in a number of musical theatre productions in Sweden. She subsequently began teaching singing and loves seeing her students grow and shine.

Jo Clayton – Vocal Coach

Jo studied at the Conservatorium of Music in Sydney BME (Bachelor of Music Education) with trumpet and vocals as her main instruments of study. Jo has taught classroom music since 1987 with a number of those years spent doing itinerant tuition in the areas of Brass and Vocals. For the past 24 years, she has taught classroom music at KingsWay School and has always been involved in School Productions as either the Music Director or more recently Vocal Director. Since 2023, Jo has been employed by NSPA as a vocal tutor and has had the privilege of tutoring very talented students some of whom have completed their ATCL.

Georgia Pedersen – Guitar