Ten Feet Tall - Skills that Last a Lifetime
Ten Feet Tall aims to empower students with a variety of communication skills that contribute to school and career success. We know that excellent communication skills and qualifications give students an edge over others, making them stand out in the crowd.
Ten Feet Tall offers Speech and Drama classes, to students Year 1-13. Our classes are packed with skill development and growth that lasts a lifetime. We offer both in-person and online speech and drama classes.
Parents choose our classes because our programmes are fun, skill-focused and tailored to your child's individual development and interests.
We also offer Holiday Programmes. Holidays are a great time to work on a specific coaching focus. Our school holiday programmes are fun!
Our Team
Sarah
Owner and Teacher
BA English Literature; Graduate Diploma of Teaching; LTCL Speech and Drama Trinity College London.
Sarah started Ten Feet Tall with a passion to empower students with a variety of communication skills that contribute to school and career success.
Having worked in both education and corporate settings Sarah is passionate about teaching students to stand tall, speak and perform confidently and enjoy an audience.
Sarah teaches from Year 1-13, designs and oversee's the Ten Feet Tall curriculum. Sarah is on the West Auckland Performing Arts board and loves to create opportunities for her students to perform.
When Sarah is not teaching she is jumping on the tramp with her kids, baking anything sweet, gardening or planning the next camping adventure.
Stephanie
Teacher
ATCL Speech & Drama, Adv ASB Public Speaking.
Having been involved in the North Shore and National Speech and Drama community for over 40 years, Stephanie knows that excellent communication skills and qualifications give students an edge over others, making them stand out in the crowd.
Stephanie teaches Year 6-13 Public Speaking and Speech and Drama. Stephanie is a Competition Adjudicator and Speech NZ Oral Communication Adjudicator. She is the Speech NZ, North Shore Secretary.
When Stephanie is not working she is going for a walk along the beach, followed by coffee at a cafe with family or friends.
Stephanie doesn't have a dog of her own but loves them and helps out Guide Dogs for the Blind and Low Vision, by looking after puppies while their handlers have a holiday.
Sabi
Teacher
Sabi has a BA(Hons) in Acting from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London and has built a career in acting for stage and screen as well as teaching drama in which she is equally passionate.
Since graduating Sabi has been invited to teach at RADA and The BRIT School as well as delivering workshops in various secondary schools and performance academies across London. She is regularly invited to partake in Q&A sessions discussing the ins and outs of acting for secondary school students who are considering taking the leap.
Sabi teaches Speech and Drama and believes the skills we learn as actors should be made available to everyone. Encouraging confidence, precision and authenticity is her passion and she finds great joy in watching young people flourish, enabling them to step out on to a stage or in front of camera with conviction and triumph.
Having recently arrived in New Zealand we are very keen to take a long time showing her all the wonderful things about New Zealand - it's not a secret, we want her to stay!
When she is not working, she is enjoying tramping and kayaking through New Zealand, learning Te Reo Māori and catching up with family.
Laressa
Teacher
- B. Soc. Sc (Double Major in English and Political Science)
- CELTA (Cambridge University, England)
Laressa has taught English as a Second Language to children and adults in language schools and educational institutions, and as a private coach, in New Zealand, Asia and Europe over the last 25 years.
Laressa teaches oral language, public speaking and ESOL to students in years 1 to 10 with a focus on both the accuracy and fluency aspects of oral language in English. She places particular emphasis on developing pronunciation skills and grammatical accuracy while also being passionate about encouraging her students to have the ability and confidence to communicate fluently.
In teaching students to present to and engage with an audience with clarity and ease in English, students are also equipped with language skills that effectively transfer into everyday life.
Laressa’s interests outside of language include nutrition, health and design. She enjoys our beautiful beaches and coffee culture; preferably together!
James
Teacher
James Davies has been performing since childhood and has trained with some of New Zealand’s top artists to develop his skills as an actor, dancer and singer.
He starred in Power Rangers and has appeared in other TV shows, numerous international music videos and commercials. Onstage highlights include performing at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games and in the British premiere of the musical 'Sweet Smell Of Success'.
James has garnered a wide range of teaching experience over the last 15 years for acting, musical theatre and dance and has an Associate Diploma from Trinity College London.
Natalie
Administration Wizz
Natalie is an experienced administrator with strong project management and organisational skills. She works behind the scenes of Ten Feet Tall making sure everything runs smoothly.
Natalie has over 10 years experience in the corporate sector as an Executive Assistant working for a broad range of companies like Mitre 10 (NZ) Ltd and Crombie Lockwood Insurance.
Outside of work, Natalie enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and socialising with friends.