As we step into the final moments of 2024, it’s important to reflect on the incredible journey that UCan2 Dance Studio has embarked upon this year. From thrilling performances to challenging losses, this has been a year of growth, passion, and resilience for every dancer, instructor, and supporter of UCan2, and proved just how strong and supportive this community is.
So join us as we look back at a year full of heart, hustle, and determination—a year where we all proved that with perseverance, you can too!
January
To kick off the year we implemented a new booking system online.
No matter your skill level, you can book private lessons or classes with just a few clicks, increasing the accessibility to dance. We even have our incredible studio up for hire for a party or function!
February
In February we hosted our first Social Dance of 2024! These events happen throughout the year, and they're a wonderful opportunity to get together in a non-competitive, stress-free space to connect and dance. You can always bring your friends, family, or even neighbours to join in on the fun, no matter their previous dance experience.
This first social dance was themed ‘Summer in the City’ and was a great way to start off the year, energised and strong!
Check out this video from our Oscars Night a few months prior, where our amazing teachers Chai and Peter dazzled everyone with their Waltz performance on the dance floor.
March
We hit TEN THOUSAND followers on our Instagram!
10k of you following our achievements, fun, and family. Harry loved our follower numbers climbing more than anyone, and it was his personal passion project sharing countless Instagram Stories of top dancers from around the world, some he'd trained, others he was good friends with, and also random quirky memes that he loved. We know how much many of you missed his Stories ... we also know firsthand how connecting dance can be, and we’re so happy to be part of a community that holds it so close to their hearts.
April
April marked the start of our beloved Teacher Spotlight Series, first highlighting the incredible Peter and Rachell van der Veek. This blog series just concluded a week ago, and was an amazing way to share how incredible our teachers are, both on and off the dance floor!! We've had amazing feedback from people who've loved reading about our teachers. Yes, you might've noticed that Marie is missing from the spotlight, she wasn't forgotten, she just didn't fancy being in the spotlight, but she's enjoyed reading them all, and seeing her beloved teachers shining brightly. (Harry's blog post interview is still the most read of all our blogs!)
May
We teach couples their wedding dances hundreds of times each year, and when they share photos and videos, well, we get teary-eyed because it's often so incredibly beautiful! One of those couples was Ben and Olivia who shared a video of their dance that is accessible by clicking here, and are just one of the many couple’s we choreographed wedding dances for this year.
Book your own private lesson or wedding package with us to get ready for your own big day!
June
June brought heartbreak to the whole UCan2 community. Harry Raiend, Co-Founder and Principal of UCan2 Dance Studio, and beloved husband of Marie, passed away after a challenging battle that started at the beginning of the Covid lockdowns. He fought so hard, won many battles along the way, continued teaching, rode his motor bike, walked on the beach, threw the stick or ball for Maxi, and generally lived his best life, knowing that it wasn't to be the long life he was hoping for. He got to see his daughter Yasmiin married to her beloved Steve (oh, their dad/daughter dance was just gorgeous to watch!), and then he became a grandfather, and anyone who saw Leo and Harry together knew that it was a special kind of love, so for all these things, he (and we) are eternally grateful. We are still feeling the immense grief of his loss today, and have sought solace in knowing his legacy and dream for UCan2 continues in the community he nurtured every day.
July
In July, we celebrated the efforts of the medal testing on the 30th of June.
Conducted by examiner George Nicholls, who flew up from Wellington, 44 adults and children were examined for their medal tests, including one of our teachers, Mai.
Mai received her New Vogue Oscar and did spectacularly, earning her third Oscar in all three styles; Ballroom, Latin American and New Vogue! Mai also partnered many of these 44 dancers in their medals, making her achievement even more incredible.
August
We had a blast teaching at Orewa Beach Primary. It’s great to see schools still prioritise dance, especially for their young ones. Not only does it teach dance skills, but confidence, respect, patience… the list goes on! Harry and Marie have taught at primary schools around Auckland since the beginning of their teaching journey together, some 30+ years ago. Seeing the joy of children dancing and being so proud of themselves when they "get it" is like no other.
September
In September, some of our students had a ball, and were proud of their results, in one of the competitions.
Nicole and Sienna from Improver Ballroom & Latin class and Trudy from Bronze class, both classes which you can find by clicking here, earned many certificates for their efforts. Proof that hard work pays off no matter your dance level!
October
October was a busy month for 2cans, including Dave and Sandra, who went to Christchurch for the Rock n Roll Nationals!
They danced in the 60+ category and won for the second year in a row for the Diamond Restricted Section (60+)!
November
Our beloved teacher Chia-I married her Del (Derek) in November! It was an incredible celebration of love, and their wedding dance was fabulous and fun, just like the wonderful couple. Click here to watch their first dance video and many congratulations to the happy couple!
December
We ended the year with more medal tests, and it was truly an amazing day!
Seeing the improvement dancers can have in just a year is phenomenal, and a huge thank you to our fabulous examiner, George Nicholls, for returning again, to examine and support these students.
It’s safe to say that every student should be proud of their efforts, no matter the result they get!
On a personal note, the time has come for me (Marie) to step back and pass the UCan2 reigns on. On behalf of Harry, Maxi and me, I want to thank each and every one of you - teachers, students (past and present), parents and supporters for being part of making UCan2 into the wonderful place that it is.
We know that this will continue in 2025 with Mark in control.
This week has been an emotional one.
Last Dance Party, last Medal Tests, last Classes for 2024, and the realisation that Chia-I will be also be missing next year as she’s heading off to be the caddy for her new husband - golf pro Derek. He quite rightly wants her with him - it’s just UCAN2 will miss her at the desk and in classes.
The new timetable will be up here on the website very soon and you will be able to register for your 2025 classes and private lessons. The timetable and prices remain the same as term 4, 2024.
Classes starting in January are Monday New Vogue with Jonny, Wednesday workshops (keep an eye on Facebook for details of these) and Wednesday Beginner and Improver Ballroom & Latin American with Carlo. All other courses will recommence the first week in February.
Please enjoy your summer break and make sure you love, appreciate and make the most of your time with family. Very best wishes to you all. Before we end this post, we want to give one final acknowledgement of appreciation to our incredible community. Without the passion and dedication from all of our teachers, the persistence of even our smallest dancers, and the support from loved ones who show up to classes, competitions, and everything in-between, UCan2 would still just be a dream.
No matter where 2025 leads you, here’s to more love, triumphs, and, of course, dance!