mission statement
At Pocket Rockets we aim for a balance of structured and creative dance experiences. Providing dance classes that encourage individuality & prepare students for performance opportunities in a fun and safe environment.
grow. explore. interact. boogie.
The benefits of dance classes for kids are HUGE! Here is a wee list of some of them...
Improved self esteem & confidence
Social & communication skills
Coordination & kinaesthetic memory
Musicality
Fitness
Strength
Body awareness & alignment
Development of creative skills
Positive effect on literacy & numeracy skills
and .... increased radness.
benefits
testimonials
"Thank you again – Our daughters love your classes and I love knowing how your classes help develop our girls confidence in themselves."
Claire Green
"Huge thanks for your amazing work Jane. You are just fabulous with the kids! My daughter comes home and shows me all the cool new dance moves, some of which require quite a bit of strength and balance too! I'm really thrilled with the new skills she's learning and how much fun she's having . And she is so looking forward to being part of another one of your brilliant end-of-year productions! Thanks again."
Michaela Sangl, Yogi Kids
"He has loved Pocket Rockets and it really has helped him grow, we are grateful for everything that you do."
Rixt Brownlow
"Dear Jane
Thank you for being the best dance teacher ever (we love party dance)."
From the Jazz team
Jane
Jane Carter
Director
Jane grew up in Stanley Bay, Devonport on Auckland’s North Shore. Having caught the travel bug from her adventurous family (and a stint at an international high school near Milan) she studied Italian at Auckland University and then travelled in Europe during her early 20s. She returned home to complete a Bachelor of Dance at AUT University, graduating in 2010.
While at AUT Jane’s performance experiences included the AUT Dance Company, Trip Stumble Fall and The White Wall. She performed at festivals such as Tempo Dance Festival, Fringe Festival (Auckland and Dunedin), Prana, and Viva Eclectika 2009 (Grand Prize winners).
She has since been involved in several dance teaching projects as well, including the YMCA Dance Youth Project (2013) and the Orere Beach Dance Project (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015).
You can also find Jane at Les Mills Takapuna as a qualified group fitness instructor, teaching Pilates and Bodybalance. She has also completed the advanced instructor modules 1&2 for Bodybalance.
She completed her 200hr Yoga teacher training in 2024 in Ubud, Bali.
Along with teaching Pocket Rockets Jane’s current passions include her family and friends, music festivals, anything Italian, travelling by train and boogying on beaches.
Toina
Toina Godinet
Dance Teacher
Toina is a passionate dance instructor with over 15 years of experience. Some highlights have been; training with and performing as part of Dziah Dance Academy, competing at the Hip Hop World Championships, performing as a backup dancer for singer Ladi 6 and participating in the Hip Op‑eration dance project - "The World's Oldest Dance Crew".
She will be returning to Auckland University of Technology in 2026 to continue her studies in education.
Her main training and performance background is in Hip hop and Polynesian dance, styles that strongly influence her teaching approach and love for movement.
Toina is deeply committed to building confidence in every dancer she works with, believing that what students learn in the studio can support them not only in dance, but in everyday life as well. She focuses on helping dancers develop their skills at a pace that feels comfortable and enjoyable, while encouraging creativity, self-expression, and a genuine love for movement.
Toina believes that dance is for everyone and strives to create an inclusive, supportive environment where students feel encouraged, valued, and excited to learn.
Heloise
Heloise Phillips Smith
Dance teacher
Helo is a crazy, funny, witty extrovert with lots of personality. She absolutely loves dancing, singing, acting and performing in general.
She was born and raised on the North Shore, in Devonport. She attended Vauxhall Primary, Belmont Intermediate and is currently attending Takapuna Grammar School. She basically grew up on Narrow Neck Beach.
She has been dancing ever since she saw Dorothy the Dinosaur on the Wiggles and loves it. Her first public dance performance was as a Queen Bee for the production ‘Flight’ at Vauxhall when she was in Year One. She moved on to Hip Hop classes and in 2016 became a member of the Pocket Rockets family. Originally doing Jazz Ballet/Hip Hop, and starting Contemporary a year later, she has continued with Hip hop and Contemporary ever since. As well as annual Pocket Rockets performances she has been in Trinkets and Beauty and the Beast Jr.
Aside from dance, Helo loves playing netball, Ultimate Frisbee, camping, hanging out with friends and being with family.
Keira
Keira Wood
Dance teacher
Keira has been dancing and singing since she was six years old. Growing up in Taupo, she participated in shows, competitions and theatre productions around the North Island.
At Taupo Academy of Dance, Keira trained in many styles of dance, including Jazz, Contemporary, Hip hop, Lyrical, Musical Theatre and Ballet. She has taught ages from 6-15 in these styles as well.
She has played a range of roles such as ‘Amber Von Tussle’ in Hairspray, ‘Anita’ in West Side Story, ‘Sandy’ in Grease, and ‘Karen’ in Mean Girls.
Moving up to Auckland in 2025 to study acting was a big step, but she is absolutely loving every moment! She is currently studying at South Seas Film School doing the Diploma of Screen Acting, graduating at the end of 2026.
Outside of the Performing Arts, Keira loves playing the piano and has completed all exams for Theory with NZ Modern School of Music. She also takes great joy in cooking, being her main hobby aside from her studies.
Keira is a passionate dancer and loves sharing her talent and skills with others. She is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive and welcoming environment to all of her students. She believes dance is a balancing act, with both joy and discipline to help her students reach new heights while maintaining the love for dance!
Keira brings energy, creativity and confidence to her classes and is looking forward to the year ahead.
Geethishi
Emilie
Sylvie
Geethishi
Dance Intern & Teacher
Geethishi was born in Sri Lanka but moved to Wellington when she was one year old. She first started dancing at the age of 2 when she lived in Wellington by taking weekly ballet classes. She then moved to Devonport, Auckland when she was 3 and continued ballet and did her first dance performance in 2014. Geethishi joined Pocket Rockets in 2016 doing jazz at Stanley Bay Primary School. She later relocated to the city but continued dancing on the shore. During intermediate she transitioned from jazz to contemporary and hasn’t looked back since.
Geethishi has also been a part of dance groups within school, one of which won the Dance NZ Made regional award in for their age category in Dance NZ Made’s interschool competition. Geethishi also started doing bollywood dancing to help out a friend but found that she really enjoyed it and has competed as well as performing at the annual Diwali Festival in Auckland.
Geethishi attended Stanley Bay Primary School, Parnell District School and she’s currently attending St Cuthberts College. Outside of dance and school she likes travelling, debating, volleyball, reading and spending time with her family and friends.
Emilie
Dance Intern
Emilie grew up in Takapuna and went to Hauraki School and Belmont Intermediate, and is now attending Takapuna Grammar. She has always loved singing and dancing, ever since she was little, so it was not surprising that she joined Pocket Rockets just a week after starting school.
Emilie started her Pocket Rockets journey at Hauraki School when she was five, taking Hip Hop classes with Jane. She added Contemporary at Vauxhall to the mix in 2021 and Leads in intermediate school. She is currently doing Adult and Teen Hip Hop, Teen Contemporary, and Leads classes, and is enjoying learning lots as an intern.
She is kind and helpful, and loves seeing younger students having fun in dance classes.
Apart from performing with Pocket Rockets, Emilie has performed in the Hauraki School production in 2022, and was part of the dance ensemble for Shortland Street the Musical at Takapuna Grammar in 2025.
Aside from dance, Emilie loves art, travelling, cooking and baking, and spending time with friends and family.
Sylvie
Dance Intern
Sylvie is a Devonport local, who has lived in Auckland her entire life and has always had a strong passion for the performing arts. She joined Pocket Rockets in 2016 and has loved every moment since, growing as both a performer and a confident leader within the programme. In 2023, she expanded her training by joining APAA (Auckland Performing Arts Academy), where she continues to develop her skills across multiple performance styles.
Sylvie has performed in a wide range of stage and screen productions. Her Pocket Rockets credits include Alice in Down the Rabbit Hole, Charlie in The Golden Ticket, Dorothy in There’s No Place Like Home, and Susan in Don’t Stop Believin’. Outside of Pocket Rockets, her roles include Stevie Nicks in We Will Rock You, Charlotte in Oliver!, and Kirsty Knight in Shortland Street. This year, she will be playing Paulette in Takapuna Grammar School’s production of Legally Blonde.
Outside of performing, Sylvie enjoys cooking and karaoke. Through her Pocket Rockets internship, she hopes to inspire and support younger performers, giving back to the community that helped shape her love for the performing arts.