SHARING THE GIFT OF DANCE IN MARLBOROUGH FROM PRE-SCHOOLERS TO ADULTS… WE’RE TRULY MAD ABOUT DANCE
Based in Blenheim and offering classes in: Highland – Jazz – AcroDance – Hip Hop – Contemporary and Preschool Intro to Dance.
We pride ourselves in our core values or joy in performance, striving for excellence, inclusiveness and team spirit.
EDUCATIng OUR YOUTH THROUGH DANCE
At Marlborough Academy of Dance we promote a culture of achievement, striving for our dancers to the best they can be, in a fun safe environment.
Our team of fully qualified, experienced and passionate teachers are committed to offering a quality dance education.
OUR TEAM
ROBYN SIMMONS QSM
Founder and co-director, Robyn heads up our Highland, Jazz and Acro departments.
Awarded the Queens Service medal in 2012 for services to the arts, Robyn has dedicated her life to fostering the development of Highland Dance both here in Marlborough and throughout New Zealand.
Robyn is the Technical Director of the New Zealand Academy of Highland and National Dancing. Her expertise and knowledge have also been recognised internationally as the co-founder of the world renowned Highland Dance Company of New Zealand, with which many MAD dancers have performed at international festivals and tattoos worldwide.
FLEUR HEBBERD
Fleur is our dedicated head of Hip Hop, instructing and coaching our Crews.
Since joining forces with MAD in 2017, Fleur has grown the popularity of Hip Hop in particular, both at MAD and in Marlborough.
Seeing her dancers perform on stage is her passion and that passion has fostered her elite Hip Hop crews to place frequently at the top level in the country and represent Marlborough at international championships in Australia and Europe.
KRYSTAL PALMER
An energetic and motivated coach, Krystal joined us in 2023 and now heads up our Contemporary genre, coaching our Senior competitive Modern Dance troupes.
Krystal’s love for creativity and performance is infectious. A performer and singer in her own right, she has trained in RAD Ballet, Modern Dance, Tap, and Musical Theatre, bringing a strong technical foundation to everything she teaches. With a background in theatre and a dance daughter of her own, she also knows first-hand the busy life of a dance mum!
TEACHERS
Our teaching staff are dedicated and supportive in encouraging all dancers to thrive and shine. We train senior students to assist our teachers and ultimately lead classes to support our staff as well as provide extension opportunities for the students.
OUR VALUES
OUR WHAI REPO (Eagle Ray) design represents strength, excellence, courage, honour, talent, achievement, athleticism, challenge & growth.
The background koru motif reflects mothering & nurturing, representative of our dance family!
DANCE CLASSES
Marlborough Academy of Dance offers students the opportunity to learn a broad range of dance genres from jazz, contemporary, acro through to highland and street style hiphop. There’s something for everyone!
PERFORMANCE
We encourage all of our dancers to share their love of dance with others and take the stage!
Learn more about the opportunities that we provide.
DEVELOP
We love to encourage our dancers to extend their abilities if they’re as passionate about dance as we are! Talk to our teachers about seizing opportunities to further your dancers’ stage or training time.
IMPORTANT DATES
2026
April 21 – 23 – NZAHND Highland Dance Examinations
August 15 – 29 – NZAMD Jazz, Hiphop, Contemporary Examinations
Late August TBC – Acrobatic Arts Grading
September 12 – 22 – NZAHND Step Dance & GSD Exams
November 14 – 19 – MAD End of Year Production – Theatre rehearsal week
November 20 – 22 – MAD PRODUCTION WEEKEND