Welcome to Red Studio

A PLACE FOR YOU TO BE YOU

Our vision is to empower dancers, to strive to achieve their personal best and maintain the love of dance alongside a passionate faculty of some of NZ’s best.

Kiri Whitford-Joynt | Managing Director Red Studio  & 3WJ+boy Talent Agency

Kiri Whitford-Joynt | Managing Director Red Studio
& 3WJ+boy Talent Agency

Nau mai, Haere mai …….. Welcome to Red.

Beginning …..
My grandad danced with me from the time I was born. He was my ballroom dancing partner and helped me get my first 2 medals when I was only 5yrs old.

I learned Ballet, “Modern”, Ballroom, Street Funk (Hip Hop), Cabaret, Burlesque, Salsa, all Latin styles, what we would now call Commercial. Every moment I could dance, I was there! 

School years ……
I played netball and basketball but for some reason, dance and music kept finding me.

I was in productions, performances and always put in the “music” classes at school. I played the flute, was in the orchestra and the body percussion orchestra. (Coolest thing ever!).

Music and dance …….
I play music by ear and have perfect pitch – which means I can hear sounds/songs and repeat it exactly.

I first fell in love with choreography when I listened and watched Michael Jackson’s musicality. In the early stages, I didn’t know that the pictures I created to music in my head were dances. Now I can see whole dances to a song – its pretty amazing.

Work ……
I worked in a modelling agency teaching make-up skills and deportment (how to hold yourself and walk with confidence)and from there I transferred those skills into Advertising. I was PA to the Director of Prime Time Communications and we worked in print, film, bought media, I worked on campaigns for events like Pavarotti and Elton John. We shot TV Commercials around NZ, even Fiji!

The Directors also owned the Auckland Mens Basketball Team. They were pivotal in the connection with the ANBL, supported the Tall Blacks, we worked in sports promotions, managed and supported the elite athletes, spent a lot of time with John Walker in his early career – I had a great job! As my side hustle, I choreographed fashion shows for Bridal fairs, Beauty Pageants, events, designers, and schools.

Later ….
In 2000 I became a Mum to Madison and then Gema in 2005. I married Craig in 2002.

I studied Interior Design over 2 years and moved back into choreographing fundraising fashion shows and wearable arts shows – which I love. How amazing to witness so many young people whose imaginations created garments I couldn’t even dream of.

When I studied Interior Design I learned about colour psychology. Red was always my favourite colour.  The idea of warmth, passion and love aligning with what I knew about dance, created the name for the studio.

Now ….. A place for you ….to be you.
For me, Red is a safe space for a dancer to explore and be themselves. Red is built on a strong foundation of meaningful values and I am passionate about curating pathways for dancers to find their place be it once a week, competitive or aspiring pre-professional.

Alongside my passionate faculty, that is our goal. To challenge, grow and support a positive learning environment.

I am blessed to have met and worked with so many incredible NZ dancers. All on a different journey but at their heart amazing people sharing parts of their heart and soul. It is so exciting to share our experience with the next generation.

Can’t wait to meet you xx