Corinne Yee, Director
Corinne established the Asia Pacific Dance Association (APDA) to develop and promote positive, inspirational and inclusive dance education.
Under the tutelage of Debra Dean, Beverley Bowen and Julia Barry (Auckland), Corinne trained in ballet and jazz from a young age.
Corinne choreographed and performed in musicals from 15 years. In 1999 she achieved her Solo Seal in jazz dance and was awarded the Mary Evers Memorial Scholarship from the American Jazz Dance Affiliation. She danced commercially and choreographed full-scale commercial dance and theatre productions.
In 1998 she established the “Victoria Phillips Academy” in Auckland. Corinne was the principal of the academy for 19 years. Her former students include professional dancers, ballet company soloists, international hip hop crew competitors, choreographers, dance directors, teachers, examiners and studio owners.
In addition to dance qualifications, Corinne holds a Bachelor of Communications. After being awarded a graduation scholarship by AUT (Auckland University of Technology) for Excellence in Public Relations in 1997, she worked in public relations for several years. Corinne was the Communications Manager for Montana Wines. She then consulted to Montana Wines and Air New Zealand managing media and PR projects for the 1999 America’s Cup and 2000 Sydney Olympics.
In 2004 she combined her dance and business experience to establish the Asia Pacific Dance Association. Her motivation was to provide positive, comprehensive dance education for young people. This has become the mission of APDA which now has six genres of dance and an acrobatics syllabus.
APDA is the governing body for La Beauté Ballet, Lucidity Contemporary, Urban Ignition, Encore Theatre Dance, Tap Evolution, JazzAddict and the Agility Acrobatics syllabi.
The APDA curriculum is currently offered by dance studios and private educational schools and institutions across New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, South Africa, Qatar and the UK.
In 2007 Corinne was one of eight New Zealand women selected by NEXT Magazine as a “Changemaker” and was profiled for influence and innovation in the dance industry.
Today Corinne is the Head Examiner and Director of the Association. She is also working alongside colleagues to deliver the Aspire International Dance Competition which will launch in 2025.
Corinne is currently working with international organisations and dance specialists to provide innovative services to benefit young people and teachers in the dance sector.