Meet the teachers: Miss Kristina Hardner

Welcome to our 'Meet the teachers' series of blog posts where we want to introduce you to our fabulous team at JOKSOD!

We have the most incredible teachers who are so qualified and experienced to train young dancers, and in these blog posts you'll find out more about the wonderful people they are.

First up is Kristina Hardner 'Miss Tina' our jazz teacher extraordinaire who works with our intermediate and senior dancers. Here's more about Tina....

1. Where and what age did you start dancing?

I began dancing at 4 years old right here at Joanne O’Kelly School of Dance back when classes were still held in a primary school hall. 

2. When did you know you wanted to become a dance teacher?

I started as a student teacher helping jazz classes when I was a teenager and was lucky to be asked to continue teaching junior jazz when I went off to dance full time. As I developed as a teacher I realised it was what I loved and could continue as a career. 

3. What’s your favourite style/genre of dance and why?

No surprise I’m sure- I’ll always love jazz. I love that there are so many different styles of jazz to learn, develop and perform. 

4. What do you love most about teaching?

I love seeing the improvement of students through their hard work! Especially in jazz it is so exciting to see students mature and develop with their style. 

5. What do you do when you’re not teaching at JOKSOD?

I am also a Pilates instructor and teach dynamic reformer classes

6. What is your favourite day out?

I love to spend the day out visiting lovely restaurants or wineries! I’ve even flown up to Sydney for the day to do this! 

7. Do you have any pets?

I have a long haired dachshund named Hunter!

8. What is your favourite time of year at JOKSOD and why?

Concert time! Performing on stage in front of an audience is so exciting for dancers and it’s a great chance to show all the hard work we have put in over the year

9. Do you still take dance classes and where?

I have recently started taking more classes in ballroom styles with my fiance at HD Entertainment in preparation for our wedding dance! It is a great challenge and it’s fun to be back as a beginner even if I sometimes fall back into teacher mode trying to get James to practice our first dance.

10. What are you hopes and dreams for the future as a dance teacher?

To continue to inspire students for as long as I can

11. What do you love most about the JOKSOD community?

JOKSOD creates such a family! Seeing the friendships formed between students and families shows how special the JOKSOD community is.  

12. Where do you look for inspiration for choreography?

Social media is such a great tool! The “algorithm” brings up so many different choreographers and dancers and it’s easy to go down a rabbit hole watching routines from all over the world!

13. What is your favourite dance you’ve ever choreographed and why?

Gatsby! It was one of the first “very large” group dances I choreographed and definitely changed the way I now look at jazz troupes……maybe we should bring it back?

14. What is your favourite theatre show?

Jesus Christ Superstar- it’s just epic! 

Moulin Rouge is amazing for its dancing and choreography

15. If you were not a dance teacher what would you be doing instead?

Apart from dance, my favourite subject at school was maths so probably something to do with numbers