About Us

Not many people get to create a dream job - "making other people happy".

For Karen Love, the owner and founder of Rhythm in your shoes this dream is a reality.

"The pleasure I am able to bring to young children through dance is a constant source of fulfilment."

I began highland dance training at age 4, and it wasn't long before I was in my first competition. Dancing was great, I loved it and wanted to try more. Like many young children, I dreamed of being a ballerina and so was introduced to Ballet which led to training in Jazz and Modern dance. At age 7, I also began Ballroom and Latin American dancing, my parents felt it was time I stopped dancing around on top of their toes!
Many years later, it was this style of dance that I turned my attention to.

As with most dance styles, training for dance examinations helps you to develop a good technical base and understanding of your chosen dance genre. If dance is your passion it is never an effort to spend your spare time perfecting your performance.

Through Ballroom dancing, many friendships were formed and our family travelled both locally and around NZ to competitions on a regular basis. At age 21, I moved to Australia to continue my dance training, turned professional at age 22, and with my dance partner competed around the Australian circuit. In 1991, my dance partner and I returned briefly to NZ to compete in the NZ National Dance Championships held in Wellington and as a result became the No. 2 representative for NZ in the World Professional 10 Dance Championships to be held in Germany. Also in 1991, we won the Australasian Professional Ballroom Championships and were placed 2nd in the Australasian Professional New Vogue Championships in Perth. We then moved to the United Kingdom to further our dance studies with some world renowned and former UK champion dance coaches. Living in London meant you practised every day with the creme de la creme of dancers - a very memorable experience. We travelled great distances to compete in many competitions; Blackpool, Brentwood and the UK Championships to name a few. My highlight was dancing in the Royal Albert Hall in London, an exquisite location. We again represented NZ in the 1992 Professional World 10 Dance Championship in Germany.

I returned to Australia in 1993 and continued dance teaching however, retired from competitive dancing. I later began dance training in the highly technical dance form of Flamenco in Sydney. I returned to NZ in 2000 to be with family and friends and have continued to train in Flamenco dancing here in Christchurch.

My focus now, is on the development of dance in young children through a uniquely different, theme based dance programme to enhance their learning and confidence. I am devoted to providing children with a friendly environment to promote their love for dance, music and movement.

In May 2008, Rhythm in your shoes was a finalist and subsequently won the 2008 Zonta Club of Christchurch-Canterbury Women in Business Award.

Karen is a registered dance teacher with the NZFDT Inc. and was appointed the General Secretary for NZFDT Inc in 2010.