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Kia Ora, I’m Sophie Jones-Queree, and my journey into early childhood education has been shaped by a deep passion for nurturing young minds. Over a decade as a nanny and Early Childhood Teacher, I've dedicated my career to nurturing young minds and creating enriching learning environments.
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Growing up I was actively involved in performing arts, with 15 years experience, including dancing, drama, singing and musical theatre. I have trained at Mount Eden Ballet Academy, The Dance Studio, National Youth Theatre Company, City Centre Music Theatre and The Auckland Performing Arts Centre. I have completed RAD Ballet and NZAMD Jazz syllabus. I achieved Grade 5, 6 and 7 with Distinction in Musical Theatre at Trinity College of London and was awarded Drama Colours in 2012 at Epsom Girls’ Grammar School.
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Beyond the classroom, I'm a proud solo mother of one beautiful boy, cherishing the joy of parenthood. My passion extends beyond education; I have a deep love for exercise, fitness, and dance and drama, which I believe are not only great for physical health but also essential for fostering creativity and well-being.
Recognizing the untapped potential for creative and holistic education, I found inspiration for HappyKiwis through my journey as an Early Childhood Educator. I found myself able to fully immerse the children in learning through performing arts and I observed that my performing arts skills had a captivating effect on the children.
I envision HappyKiwis as a space where children can be thoroughly engaged in a vibrant and enriching programme that includes the transformative power of performing arts throughout the day in the classroom.
The first five years are not just a countdown but a celebration of the foundational years that shape a lifetime.
PERFORMING ARTS EXPERIENCE
KAM Talent Agency - Auckland
2022 - TVNZ ‘Creamerie’ - Role as Press Person
National Youth Theatre Company (NYTC) – Auckland
2012 - NYTC ‘Grease’ at Aotea Centre - Lead role of Rizzo, Lead dancer and general cast including singing and dance. Director Glen Pickering
2011 – NYTC ‘Sound of Music’ at Aotea Centre – Lead role of Liesl, lead dancer and general cast including singing and dance. Director Glen Pickering
2010 - NYTC ‘Peter Pan’ at Aotea Centre – lead role of Tiger Lily, lead dancer and general cast including singing and dance. Director Glen Pickering
2010 - NYTC showcase at Pump House. Singing solo, as well as general cast singing and dance. Director James Doy
2009 - NYTC ‘High School Musical 2’ at Aotea Centre in August- lead dancer, lead role of Martha, as well as general cast singing. Director Glen Pickering
2009 – NYTC showcase at Pump House. Singing solo, as well as general cast singing and dance. Director James Doy
2008 -NYTC Production of ‘Grease’ at Aotea Centre in June - lead dancer and general cast including singing and dance. Director Glen Pickering
2008 - NYTC Allstars July school holiday programme- singing, acting and dance. Director Glen Pickering
2008 - NYTC Allstars September school holiday programme- singing, acting and dance. Director Glen Pickering
2007 - NYTC Production of ‘Alice’ at Auckland Girls’ Grammar – lead dancer and role as a flower, as well as general cast singing. Director Jason Te Mete
Centre City Music Theatre (CCMT) – Auckland
2010 – CCMT 'Tap Your Troubles Away'. Ensemble cast. School Director Jason Te Mete, Dance Tutor Taane Mete, Musical Director Luke Di Somma
2009 - CCMT ‘Everything Old is New Again’. Ensemble cast. Education Director Russell Pickering, Performance Director Grant Meese, Musical Director Michael Nicholas Williams
Epsom Girls’ Grammar School, Auckland (Acting)
Year 9 - 13 full year drama option
Awarded drama colours - Epsom Girls’ Grammar School 2012
2008 -2010 Stage Challenge competition, Aotea Centre Auckland
2012 – ‘Shudder’ by Pip Hall. Role of Polly and Woman as well as general cast acting, singing. Director Jaclyn Druitt
2012 - Epsom Girls’ Grammar School/Auckland Grammar School Production, ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ by William Shakespeare. Role of Hippolyta. Director Jaclyn Druitt
2011 – ‘The Cherry Orchard’ by Anton Chekhov. Role of Dunyasha. Director Jaclyn Druitt
2011 – Epsom Girls’ Grammar School/Auckland Grammar School Production, ‘Oliver’ by Charles Dickens. Role of Mrs Sowerberry. Director Andrea Hellens (Auckland Grammar)
Trinity College London – Musical Theatre
2012 – Grade 7 Musical Theatre examination passed with Distinction. Prepared for examination by James Doy
2011 – Grade 6 Musical Theatre examination passed with Distinction. Prepared for examination by James Doy
2010 – Grade 5 Musical Theatre examination passed with Distinction. Prepared for examination by James Doy
The Auckland Performing Arts Centre (TAPAC)
2012 – Adult Introduction to acting classes with Mark Clare
2012 – Acting for screen classes with Fiona Edgar
Singing and Music - Auckland
2010 -2012 – Epsom Girls’ Grammar vocal training with Dianne Kathegan
2010 -2012 Singing teachers- James Doy
2008 - Epsom Girls’ Grammar learnt saxophone for 1 year
Remuera Music School – learnt violin for 5 years, was in Remuera Intermediate School choir and orchestra
Dance – Auckland
Tonia Robertson Dance Academy/Mt Eden Ballet Academy – classical ballet for 11years - completed up to RAD Advanced foundation
Individual competitions when younger for Tonia Robertson Dance Academy
Group competitions at Tonia Robertson Dance Academy and Mt Eden Ballet Academy.
The Dance Studio (Jazz) completed NZAMD Intermediate exam 2008, Distinction, contemporary level 4, Latin level 3 and pre senior competition Performance troupe. Have also danced at level 4 tap.
Nominated for NZAMD Jazz Scholarship 2008 in Christchurch 1-2 November.
Tempo Dance Festival with Latin 2009, Advanced NZAMD jazz 2009, Distinction. Stage Challenge 2008 - 2010 with Epsom Girls’ Grammar School. Remuera Intermediate- dance troupe – 2 years of hip-hop, jazz, including inter-school competitions.