mendl creative dance...

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​Lucie Mendl Stonnell left her home in Vienna, Austria, for New Zealand in 1929 and began teaching creative dance after settling in Taranaki.  She was the first inspirer of the new form of dance in New Zealand.  Despite criticism she evolved a unique form of movement that will never die as it is continually being rejuvenated by new choreography. 

Mendl Dance is not just a system of dance steps, but a whole awareness of life with the influences of people, objects and nature.  It is a good way for people to learn to know themselves, and having learned humility, thereby express their true feelings.  From the earliest age children create, and through dance they do so inspired by music.  Even very young children can learn the discipline of listening, and within that, create the most beautiful and satisfying dance expressions.

Mendl Dance is not contrived for show, but for personal betterment and satisfaction of the individual.  It is not just dance, but educational in the broadest sense and is designed for all ages regardless of shape, size or ability.



It is not ballet!

we dance barefoot

sometimes we fall down…
on purpose
the choreographer is alive
there are no tiaras,
tutus or swans …

and there are no limits!