Denise Henderson Studio of Tap, Jazz and Musical Theatre

A huge congratulations to Isla and Yana on your nominations to dance at the National Young Performer Awards in Palmerston North later this year!

Such an exciting achievement and so well deserved. Your hard work and passion for dance truly shine through. Wishing you both the most amazing experience. We are all so proud of you and can’t wait to see you shine doing what you love💙🩵

Throw back to our most recent dance competition, DPACS 💙👯

A weekend full of dance, friendships, fun, and making so many memories together. So proud of all our dancers for their hard work, support for one another, and the smiles they brought to the stage ~ remember your never fully dressed without a smile😇

Huge congratulations to Briar and Hannah on being selected to compete amongst the top tap dancers in New Zealand at PACANZ at NYPA this October.

Good luck as well to Hannah, Briar, and the rest of our students that have travelled to the Oamaru tap dancing competition this weekend. We hope you all have the best time on stage and dance your hearts out!

A huge welcome to the talented Summer who has joined us at the Māori Hill Studio leading the mini and junior Musical Theatre classes and some private Tap lessons 💫

We’re also saying a ‘temporary’ goodbye to Immy as she heads into a busy few months of nursing placements 🩺✨ We’ll miss her energy, positivity, and the way she inspires all the young dancers

Huge congratulations to all the students who travelled to Invercargill to compete in the ITDA competitions!

So many amazing results and performances. We’re so proud of all your hard work and dedication. Keep shining! 💫

Here’s the heart and soul of Denise Henderson School of Dance, someone we all know and love. Denise 💙✨

Denise began dancing in 1972 with Maureen Fleming, a wonderful British teacher who was truly ahead of her time.

After Maureen moved to Timaru, Denise continued her training with Wendy McKay in Fairfield, where she especially loved troupes and duos. At 18, she went on to take lessons with Ken Wright in Christchurch, continuing to grow her passion and skill.

Denise started teaching in 1982 and hasn’t stopped since. For many years, she taught in the evenings and on Saturdays while working as a travel agent during the day, before becoming a full-time dance teacher in 1998. Over the years, she has also loved directing and choreographing musicals.

Her passion, dedication, and love for dance teaching is what makes our studio feel like home 🌟

Meet our amazing 2026 teaching team at 💫

Throwback to last Wednesdays master class with Lara! 💙

Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity. We are so grateful to have seen you again and safe travels back to London. 😇

Throwback to last Wednesdays master class with Lara! 🩵

Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity. We are so grateful to have had you back and safe travels back to London. 😇