Northern School of Performing Arts was formed in 2018 by Sophia Pedersen, Alicia Chadwick-Cook and Clare Saddington-Smith. This dynamic trio formerly owned Peaches and Pickles Performing Arts, Sole Movement and Northern Performing Arts – each very successful businesses in their own right. By merging and streamlining their companies, they have created an even more comprehensive performing arts school that reaches more people across northern Auckland. NSPA employs some of Auckland’s best teachers who will inspire, nurture and help your child grow in all areas of performing arts and beyond.
Sophia Pedersen
Dip Musical Theatre and Performing Arts NZAMD Tap, NZAMD Jazz
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
AISTD, Dip Theatre Arts & Dip Teachers of Dance
Alicia has been dancing since the age of three. She has an Associate Diploma teachers’ qualification with the ISTD in Imperial Ballet and Modern Theatre Dance. In 2008, she graduated from East Auckland Performing Arts with a Diploma in Theatre Dance and Performing Arts. She gained Honours with Distinction for her Teachers of Dancing Diploma, and has reached Advanced Two level in both ISTD Imperial ballet and ISTD Modern, and Advanced One in Tap. Alicia’s dance and teaching repertoire includes jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre and hip-hop. She has studied and trained in the ISTD, NZAMD & RAD syllabuses. She danced professionally with FUZE dance company.
Clare Saddington-Smith
Clare emigrated from the UK to New Zealand in 2010. She is responsible for the accounts and administration for Northern School of Performing Arts and has over 25 years’ experience in accounts. Clare started in an accountancy practice and moved onto retail, before running a business with her husband in the UK. As mum to a dance-crazy daughter, Clare is not only passionate about the numbers, but about all aspects of performance too.