Lorna Borrett
Owner/Director
Discover Lorna’s dance journey and the vision that shaped Leaping Lizards School of Dance.
A Dance Journey
from the UK to Wellington
Lorna began dancing when she was just two years old! Her love of dance has taken her from professional performance and choreography in the UK to creating one of Wellington's most joyful dance communities for children.
Training & Background
Lorna studied Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Disco and Contemporary to advanced level, gaining a BA (HONS) in Performing Arts specialising in Dance from Middlesex University, London. Following this, she gained a scholarship to complete an additional diploma at the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance.
Qualifications: BA (HONS), I.S.T.D, B.B.O
Finding Her True Passion
Lorna spent several years dancing and choreographing professionally, but it was in 2004 when she decided to explore teaching that she truly found her passion. Growing up, while she loved dance itself, she didn't always enjoy the strict and serious atmosphere of traditional dance classes. This experience inspired her vision of creating something different - a place where children would genuinely love coming to dance.
In England, she taught for various private dance schools and mainstream education schools, and also developed her own dance and fitness business. In 2006, she decided she would like to work overseas, which is when she moved to New Zealand, and she now calls Wellington home.
Teaching Experience in New Zealand
Since making Wellington home, Lorna has:
Been a tutor at Whitireia Tertiary Education Institute, teaching on Commercial Dance and Musical Theatre diploma and degree courses
Adjudicated dance competitions around the country
Appeared numerous times on TV One's "Good Morning" Show teaching Pilates segments
Choreographed and performed in theatre productions
Current Roles
These days, Lorna keeps busy as:
Owner and Principal of Leaping Lizards School of Dance (for children aged 2-16 years)
Owner and Principal of Spiritus Dance Company (her dance school exclusively for adults)
Co-owner of Wellington's dance studio, Dancetopia
Mum to Archie and dog Bruno
What Makes Leaping Lizards Special
Lorna's love of people and her joy in sharing dance with others shines through everything she does. Her vision for Leaping Lizards was simple: create a magical place where children could discover the joy of dance in a supportive, fun environment - quite different from the serious dance classes of her own childhood.
With two decades of teaching experience, Lorna brings both professional expertise and genuine warmth to her Wellington dance classes. She understands that when children love what they're doing, they flourish. That's why Leaping Lizards focuses on building confidence, creativity and friendships alongside developing dance skills.
Whether your child is taking their very first steps in a toddler class or is a teenager perfecting their technique (or exploring dance for the first time!), Lorna's approach ensures every dancer feels valued and supported in their journey.
Ready to let your child experience the joy of dance in a supportive, fun environment? Book a free trial class today and see why so many Wellington families choose Leaping Lizards school of Dance.
“I look forward to welcoming you into the Leaping Lizards Dance family - it truly is a magical place”