Lucie Mendl Stonnell left her home in Vienna, Austria for New Zealand in the late 1920’s 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 just 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.
Cheryl Stonnell C.D.I. began teaching Mendl Dance in 1967 and gained her teacher’s certificate in 1976.
She has taught weekly classes since then for all ages from 3 years and brings to her classes fantastic music, energy, warmth and vitality.
Cheryl has a lifelong interest (passion) in the dance having taken her first class at the age of 3 under tutelage of her grandmother Lucie.
You can contact Cheryl on:
021 2896808 for further
information regarding classes
Aims
· To discover the joy of movement to music
· To develop and improve listening skills and find another way in which to express oneself creatively
· To develop an appreciation of classical music
· To encourage development of co-ordination and motor skills
· To create a fertile ground from which the student will gain a good sense of self esteem