Established in 1995, our studios are based in Torbay, Auckland

Your first class is free.

We Believe

At Step Beyond Studios, we believe in the power of positive dance. An exam and competition free community, we encourage our young people to support one another and to develop and evolve their sense of confidence, technique and creativity in a healthy environment.

We Offer

Classes in Classical Ballet, Contemporary and Muscle and Bone: Levels range from preschoolers, young beginners through to teenage and adult students working at an advanced/pre tertiary level.

Muscle and Bone for teenagers and adults: An intense high energy movement workout class class where fitness, coordination and strength is developed.

One Step Beyond Youth Dance Company: An invites only opportunity for our most dedicated and talented students to extend their skills.

25 years of dance

Over the past 25 years, Marian McDermott has been developing Step Beyond Studios. Throughout this process she has made some gutsy decisions about her approach to dance teaching. No exams, no competitions, but a place for young people to learn and grow their skill and creativity in a positive and encouraging environment. Hundreds of young people have passed through this staple institution over the years, often moving on to full time training and professional projects. Marian and Co-Director Grace Woollett, deeply believe in the importance of creating safe, creative spaces for our young people.

Meet The Team:

Marian McDermott

Grace Woollett

What to Wear

Dance Attire for Ballet Students

Girls: Please come to ballet dressed neatly with long hair tied up in a plait, bun or similar as appropriate. Dance clothing and shoes are available at "The Dancers Wardrobe" Remuera or "Marie's Dance Boutique" Greenhithe.

Boys: Ballet: Please come suitably dressed in black leggings or shorts and short white ankle socks with a T-shirt and well fitting black ballet shoes.

For safety reasons no jewellery please other than small stud earrings.  

Levels 1 - 2: A leotard (of any colour), short white ankle socks or pink ballet tights with well fitting pink ballet shoes (they need to fit like a sock). We recommend a crossover ballet cardigan for the colder weather.

Levels 3 - 8: As for Levels 1 - 2 plus a character skirt and shoes. By Level 4 girls should tie long hair up in a bun please.

Pre Elementary and Up: Please come suitably dressed as for Levels 3 - 8. Please tie long hair in a bun.

Adults: Comfortable dance clothing with long hair tied back.

Contemporary Dance Students: Please wear suitable dance clothing - stretch leggings and top are recommended. Tie long hair back neatly. Ballet shoes are not recommended. Please bring a pair of socks.

Handy Hints

Punctuality To get the most out of class, please arrive at least 5 minutes before class is due to start, so you are changed and ready to dance. Students of Pre Elementary Level and above should arrive at least 15 minutes prior so they have time to begin a personal warm-up.

When Waiting For Classes In consideration of others, could students please wait outside the studio in the foyer until your class is called.

Safety and Supervision Parents - please try to be on time to collect your children. Please ask your children to wait quietly inside the building rather than out in the car park. Please do not leave other children unattended at the studio - we cannot and will not assume responsibility for supervision of any children other than the students in the class we are teaching.

Water Bottles Please bring a named bottle of water to class especially during the humid summer months.

Have Fun Our classes are upbeat and welcoming, so just enjoy your time in the studio!

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One Step Beyond Youth Company

One Step Beyond (OSB) Rationale

Established in 2008. One Step Beyond fosters talented and motivated young dance students to extend. Supported to develop  leadership and choreographic skills, participants evolve their sense of self belief and creative voice within the dynamic company.  

Admission to OSB is by invitation only. The company is an example of our philosophy to replace competition with collaboration and provides healthy motivation for our young students to step beyond and aspire towards. 

OSB members work with industry professional choreographers and collaborate on innovative performance and artistic projects.

Forging the Path For a Future in Dance

Professional training has become a reality with several former OSB members making dance their career choice. We now have had 8 of our company members move on to tertiary education in dance! 

Grace Woollett graduated from Unitec with a Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts majoring in Contemporary Dance in 2012 and now works in the industry as a performer, choreographer, film maker and teacher. Emma Lane graduated from London based - Trinity Laban Conservetoire and progressed on to complete her Masters degree with Joss Arnott's Emergence Dance and now has secured a professional contract dancing with Eliot Smith Dance in England. Alanna Main has graduated from The New Zealand School of Dance and Emma Clavis from Wellington based Whitereia. Veronica Devlin is in her final year studying Musical Theatre at Whitireia.

The company members are taught by professionals from the dance community and so far have been fortunate to work with Colette Arnold, Katie Burton, Georgie Goater, Vivien Hosking-Aue, Zahra Killeen-Chance, Jessie McCall, Anna MacRae, Kilda Northcott, Vivian Nunez Medina, Janine Parkes, Lyne Pringle, Julie van Renen, Tupua Tigafua and Grace Woollett. 

2020 Shows: Dichotomy and The Fantastic Toyshop. Photography by Hannah Richardson. Film by Grace Woollett

Testimonials

Our family has been involved with Step Beyond Studios for over 10 years. Our experience is that every child - or adult - with an interest in dance is welcomed and encouraged. We love how our children have been able to learn to dance and perform in such a safe and encouraging environment.

Shea – parent of 3 dancing girls

Step Beyond has provided me with the most amazing opportunity to re-connect with my lifelong passion for dance.  In my youth I danced as a full-time student with the National Theatre Ballet School (Melbourne). I stumbled upon Marian when looking to enrol my daughter and was struck by the warmth and inclusiveness of the Step Beyond school and Marian’s approach.  This is what prompted me to trial a class for myself.  I now dance weekly and feel completely welcomed into the fold.  Marian’s classes are challenging, fun, and an excellent workout and I am thrilled to be back dancing again after 17 years.

Jacque – adult student

The youth company: One Step Beyond, was a perfect preparation to my full time training at New Zealand School of Dance. OSB fosters creativity, good technique, teamwork and offers many choreographic opportunities. It helped me to become a 'thinking dancer', something that is paramount in the dance industry. 

Alanna – former student, now graduate of NZ School at Dance

Our Locations

Torbay Community Hall and Torbay Senior Citizens Hall:

35 Watea Road, Torbay, Auckland - 0630

Trinity Methodist Hall:

 864 Beach Rd, Waiake - 0630

Phone - 09-475-9317

Mobile - 021-027-01303

Email - marian@stepbeyond.co.nz

Email - grace@stepbeyond.co.nz