About QTC

Born from a love of movement.

Queenstown Contemporary was founded in 2023 by dancer and aerialist Amber Steward, with a vision to bring contemporary dance to the heart of the Southern Lakes.

After arriving in Queenstown, Amber and fellow dancer Tali Mizrach began opening contemporary classes to share their love of movement with the community. In April 2023 they performed their first piece together at the Arrowtown Autumn Festival. Shortly after, Tali moved away from Queenstown, and Amber kept the classes going, building a creative collective from the small group of locals who kept showing up to dance.

Originally from the United States, Amber trained at the University of Central Florida and through Joffrey Ballet intensives in Los Angeles and New York. Before moving to Queenstown, she spent several years in the mountains of North Carolina teaching and choreographing competitive dance, performing professionally, and working as a raft guide in the summers.

QTC's debut performance, Better Days, choreographed by Amber, introduced Queenstown audiences to the collective's vision. Today, Queenstown Contemporary is an Incorporated Society run by passionate volunteers: dancers, choreographers, producers, and teachers creating original work while welcoming the wider community through weekly classes.

For many involved, dance is more than movement. It's a way to process emotions, reconnect with yourself, and move through life's challenges together. QTC has become a space where people can dance the feelings out, breathe a little deeper, and leave feeling lighter than when they arrived.

Every Wednesday from 6 to 7pm in the Kapa Rua studio at Te Atamira, QTC opens its doors to the Queenstown community. Classes are beginner-friendly and open to adults of all ages and backgrounds, no dance history required. A different teacher leads every fortnight, bringing new choreography and styles to explore. Whether you're looking to try something new, find a creative outlet, support your mental wellbeing, or simply move with good people, Wednesdays are for you. Check our Instagram Story to see if class is running.

Amber now lives back in the United States teaching and performing, and continues to cheer on the QTC community from afar.