Levin The Movement's Chantelle Pinguet with some of the talented young dancers involved with the new studio.
Levin The Movement's Chantelle Pinguet with some of the talented young dancers involved with the new studio.
An established Levin dance school has changed hands with a well travelled dancer now turning her hand to teaching.
Kate Martin School of Dance, which was founded in 2012, is now called Levin the Movement under new owner Chantelle Pinguet, and will continue to operate from the same studio inParker Ave.
Pinguet, 25, was born and raised on the Kāpiti Coast and left home at the age of 16 to pursue a dream she had since a toddler to become a professional dancer.
The dream soon came true. After training in Australia for a year she left for Europe and performed with Rudra Bejart, and the the Bejart Ballet in Lausanne, Switzerland, gained experience performing classical and contemporary works.
She then moved to Poland and performed with the Poznan Opera Ballet, based in Chantal.
Pinguet had been based in Greece since 2017, performing a range of styles while extending her experience as a director and choreographer at the same time.
Like many New Zealanders living abroad, she found herself “home” during the initial outbreak of Covid-19. She has recently performed as part of Unity Dance Company in their Wellington season of Unity in Adversity, and continued to coach dancing, teaching at numerous schools and workshops and judging competitions nationwide.
It led to some work with the Kate Martin school in Levin, and she loved it.
“I got on so well with Kate and loved teaching and loved the community as well. There is a great group of dancers and parents who are really passionate about their dancing,” she said.
One afternoon Martin suggested that she should look at taking over the studio. Pinguet said the timing was right and it was an opportunity too good to miss.
It was an opportunity to build on Martin’s work and continue with an annual end of the year dance show, while putting her own stamp on the studio with changes to the syllabus.
She said the goal of Levin the Movement is to create a ‘movement’ where dance is accessible to all members of the community as a way of exercise, self-expression and “finding your people”.
“We are building a studio culture that is all about inclusivity and supporting each other and providing an environment where our students can grow and develop their confidence,” she said.
“The Movement team are ready to provide extension and opportunities to our most passionate and motivated dancers and want to see every student fulfil their individual potential.”
Levin The Movement dance studio will have an open day on Sunday, January 29 from 1.30-4pm. Pinguet said anyone was welcome newly updated and decorated venue, try a class, meet our teachers and try on uniforms.
“Our competitive teams will also do a little demonstration,” she said.
- Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ on Air.
