Dance qualifications:
- Up to ‘Solo Seal’ in NZ Jazz
- ‘Solo Seal’ in L.A Jazz Dancing
- Up to ‘Intermediate’ Royal Academy Dance, Ballet
- Over 12 years of Merengue, Salsa, Cha Cha dance training under numerous New Zealand & Overseas tutors
- Trained aerobics instructor and competed in NZ National Aerobics competition
- Donna has also been a guest instructor at the Blenheim Showcase 2008 & 2009, NZ/Pacific Salsa Congress 2009 & will be teaching at Byron Latin Fiesta, November 2009
Latin competitions:
- Event organiser for South Island Street Salsa Competition 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
- 1st placing at South Island Salsa Competition, Teams, September, 2008 & 2009
- Best Overall Performance Team at NZ/Pacific Salsa Selections for Sydney, Wellington 2008 (choreographer & performer)
- Highest Score Team at NZ/Pacific Salsa Selections for Sydney, Wellington 2007 (choreographer & performer)
- 3rd Team at Jambalaya, Rotorua 2006 (choreographer & performer)
- 3rd placing at NZ Nationals ‘Open Freestyle Salsa’ competition 1999
- Salsa South Island Silver Medalist 1999
- Lambada South Island Gold Medalist 1997
- Salsa South Island Gold Medalist 1997
Donna has trained with the following National & International instructors:
- Johnny Vasquez (Mexico), Edwin Rivera (New York/Puerto Rico), Jaime Jesus & Little Liz (LDA Sydney), Olivery Pineda & Luda (Latin Motion, Sydney), Ryoko & Ryu (Japan), Orod & Dessi (London), Al Liquid Silver & Karla Espinoza (USA), Stayz Ruakawa (Star Dance Academy, NZ) Oren & Pascall (Salsa Vibes, Sydney), Gian Carlo & Masha (Latinissimo, Auckland), Karlos & Eli (Latin Steps, Brisbane), Tony Lara & Danielle (Italy), Junior & Emily (USA), Nuno & Vanda (Portugal), Super Mario (London), Mary Grace & Neil (LDA Sydney), Susana Montero (UK), Csaba & Vali (Latin Motion, Sydney), Nestor (Modus Vivendi), David Paris & Zoe, USA, Carlos Cinta, USA, Josie & Daniel, Australia!!!
Performed Latin dance for:
- Byron Latin Fiesta, Byron Bay, Australia 2009
- Sydney Salsa Congress 2007, 2008 & 2009
- Latin Dance Festival 2007, 2008, 2009
- Internationally acclaimed ‘Buena Vista Social Club’
- ASB Starry Nights
- Christchurch Symphony Orchestra
- Canterbury Flames / Tactix
- Numerous Corporate & social dance functions
Choreographer:
- Choreographer & Manager of ‘Latin Fire Dance Troupe” (formerly Hot Tempo City) with over 8 up to date Dance routines in Samba, Lambada, ChaCha & Salsa
- Choreographer & Manager of ‘Latin Fire Teenage Troupe’
- Choreographer of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ for ‘Showbiz Christchurch’
- Choreographer for Canterbury Children’s Theatre, ‘Fairy Tale Magic’
- Choreographer for Canterbury University, Musoc, ‘Law Review’
Other Dance/Singing Performances:
- Performances for Showbiz Christchurch from the age of 16, including Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Me & My Girl, West Side Story plus many other!
Highlights:
- Leading roles as Diana Morelis in ‘A Chorus Line’.
- Anita in ‘West Side Story’ with Showbiz.
- Nicky in ‘Sweet Charity’ (Canterbury Music Theatre).
- Performing at Sydney Salsa Congress January, 2007, 2008 & 2009!
- Being placed 1st at the NZ/Pacific Salsa Congress Teams, 2007 & invited back to Sydney Salsa Congress.
- Teaching & Performing at Byron Latin Fiesta 2009.
Judge:
- NZ Nationals 2009
- Eastgate Dance Search 2009
- First NZ Youth Salsa Congress, Wellington 2007
- South Island Salsa Competition 2008, Youth Section
Upcoming performance:
- Sydney Salsa Congress, Sydney, January 2009
- Byron Salsa Festival, Byron Bay, November 2009
- NZ/Pacific Salsa Congress, Wellington, April 2009