Our Story

When dancer Ya Zhang (Angelia) arrived in New Zealand in 2015, she brought with her six years of professional dance training—and a fair bit of uncertainty about what came next. Language and cultural barriers created a silence around her art, until she rediscovered its voice through teaching. In sharing Chinese dance within her local community, she saw eyes light up across cultures and found her own rhythm once more.

That experience taught her something important: dance isn't just about steps—it’s about connection. In 2018, Angelia founded ODA Dance with a simple purpose: to create a professional yet warm home for anyone who loves to dance; a place where everyone can express themselves and grow together.

Today, ODA has grown from its roots in Chinese dance into a vibrant, inclusive dance community. Guided by Angelia and our teaching team (Erin Hildred and Jennifer Brasch), we offer everything from RAD ballet and Chinese dance to K-Pop, hip-hop, commercial choreography, adult ballet, stretch classes, and youth competition teams.

At ODA, we believe:

▫️ Dance is a conversation across cultures

▫️ Passion is the best teacher, and joy is the goal

▫️ Everyone can find their own voice through movement

Whether you're looking to train seriously, unwind after work, or simply meet like-minded people, there’s a place for you here—and a community ready to welcome you.

Come move with us, and discover a more confident, joyful you through dance.