SHERENE

Drama and Singing Teacher

Sherene started singing before she could talk! She began singing lessons at the young age of seven and would sing at every opportunity she had. Realising that singing was a great passion of hers, she had private singing lessons from the age of 12 and continued this right through to college.

Sherene has performed as the lead singer in many London and UK shows such as The Lion King, Grease, Glee and Cinderella. She also toured the UK with a theatre company as the lead singer for numerous productions.

Sherene has completed her Level 1 first aid course.

Celia

Singing Teacher

Celia is a Professional Actress, Singer, Dancer, and a recent graduate from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) in Christchurch.
Celia was bit by the Musical Theatre bug at the young age of six and has been hooked ever since. Celia started her training at a Musical Theatre children's performing arts programme which enabled her to develop and evolve her creativity and performance technique. Celia has also trained with renowned Singing and Acting coaches, Jane Keller and Miranda Harcourt. Celia has also worked closely with NZ A-listers and Broadway stars such as Andréa Burns, Julia Murney, Joshua Henry, NZ’s Hayden Tee, and Robyn Malcolm. During her time at NASDA, Celia competed in the New Zealand Dance Awards in 2019 and won ‘The Most Likely to have a Professional Career Special Award’. Celia has been involved in musicals such as Evita, Sister Act, 42nd Street, It's Only Life, Urinetown, and Holiday Inn.

Celia is passionate about sharing her knowledge in a safe and welcoming environment, while also advocating and enforcing inclusivity and comradery. She believes that Music skills are undeniably important in developing a child’s mind and form of expression.

Jessie

Dance Teacher

Jessie Rochford-Barber is an accomplished artist of Ngāi Tahu descent who loves delving into the many sides of performing arts. Jessie fell deeply in love with the art of dance at a very young age. That passion has since led her to an incredible career that has taken her around the world.

After graduating Australia’s prestigious Brent Street Studios with a Certificate IV in Performing Arts and a Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance), Jessie made it her goal to dance on as many stages and in as many places as possible.

Since then, Jessie has worked consistently as a performer and dance teacher. Starting off with dance performance contracts at the Crown Paradise resorts in Mexico and then moving on to Viva Wyndham Resort in The Bahamas.

Jessie then relocated back to Sydney where she became a member of contemporary dance company, Bonnie Curtis Projects, performing in many shows including seasons of Triple Punkt, Wonderland and the award-winning show GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS that toured Australia and New Zealand. She also spent a year cheerleading for the NRL Manly Sea Eagles.

Jessie has since finished two epic contracts in India in 2019 and 2022 with Ammarz agency where she danced for brands such as Pepsi, performed at award shows, on  TV shows, at The Road Safety World Cricket Series and has also been a featured dancer in multiple blockbuster Bollywood films that are now streaming on Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime with many more to be released. 

Currently, along with teaching at Spotlight, Jessie is completing her Bachelor of Performing Arts Management at Toi Whakaari; NZ Drama School and performing around Wellington with Society Entertainment at events such as the NBL Wellington Saint’s Basketball games, Wellingtonian of the Year Awards and The Wellington Gold Awards

Along with performing, Jessie has over 15 years dance teaching experience of all age groups and styles at multiple schools across Wellington and Sydney. She is very excited to share her knowledge and passion with the students at Spotlight and can’t wait to see their talents shine!

ROMINA

Drama Teacher

Romina  is an actor and director from Chile based in Pōneke, New Zealand. She has been working across devised and applied theatre in New Zealand and Chile for the last 6 years. Her focus is empowering non professional performers from different communities and backgrounds through theatrical practice. She has directed and adapted a version of An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen with a youth cast (project funded by Creative Communities CNZ) and also directed testimonial theatre performances with women from Chile and New Zealand. She holds a Bachelor degree in Performing Arts and currently is studying a MFA in Creative Practice at Victoria University of Wellington. Romina is very excited to be part of the Spotlight Performing Arts team and looks forward to working with all the Spotlight students.