Meet the Dance-a-Lotties.
Lottie
A natural entertainer and all-round bossy-boots, Lottie demonstrated a love of dance from a very early age.
Her talent caught the eye of Lenore Bullock, founder of Toddler Toes in Auckland, who remembers her first day at dance class.
"She really stood out" says Lenore, "basically because she was twice the size of the other kids. She was always smiling, even though her hair was green and stringy."
Since those early days Lottie has become a children's dance ambassador - and kids love interacting with her at Dance-a-Lottie shows.
Curiously, the only person that can't seem to instantly get the hang of her kid-friendly dance moves is her own brother....
Her talent caught the eye of Lenore Bullock, founder of Toddler Toes in Auckland, who remembers her first day at dance class.
"She really stood out" says Lenore, "basically because she was twice the size of the other kids. She was always smiling, even though her hair was green and stringy."
Since those early days Lottie has become a children's dance ambassador - and kids love interacting with her at Dance-a-Lottie shows.
Curiously, the only person that can't seem to instantly get the hang of her kid-friendly dance moves is her own brother....
Archie
This shy, accident-prone boy has won the hearts of kids everywhere with his willingness to give things a go.
Lottie's brother has always been in the shadow of his perfect big sister, and his tendency to make mistakes at first deterred him from thoughts of a life in show business.
But luck has always been on Archie's side. He was spotted performing at a birthday party by entertainer Garry Hope, who was impressed enough to take the boy under his wing.
"He was a bit rough" remembers Garry, "he was supposed to be singing Happy Birthday, but he had forgotten the words. I liked him though, he was always smiling even though his hair was pink and stringy".
Lottie's brother has always been in the shadow of his perfect big sister, and his tendency to make mistakes at first deterred him from thoughts of a life in show business.
But luck has always been on Archie's side. He was spotted performing at a birthday party by entertainer Garry Hope, who was impressed enough to take the boy under his wing.
"He was a bit rough" remembers Garry, "he was supposed to be singing Happy Birthday, but he had forgotten the words. I liked him though, he was always smiling even though his hair was pink and stringy".
Blossom
Lottie's horse is every little girl's dream - lovable, well-behaved, cute and intelligent.
Yecchh! Pass the bucket.
Of course, Lottie herself would have you believe her horse's nature is entirely down to the rigorous training, grooming and obedience classes she has put Blossom through.
Actually, she just bribes her with apples. Just letting you know that we know Lottie....
Of course, Lottie herself would have you believe her horse's nature is entirely down to the rigorous training, grooming and obedience classes she has put Blossom through.
Actually, she just bribes her with apples. Just letting you know that we know Lottie....
Storm
Storm is a horse that would test the patience and skill of even an Olympic-class rider, so poor Archie stands no chance trying to control him.
In an effort to understand the reasons behind Storm's unruly behaviour, Lottie once engaged the services of a highly rated horse whisperer at considerable expense.
After a full 8 hour session with the naughty equine the exhausted horse whisperer conceded defeat. "I can't get through to him" muttered the beaten professional, "I've never failed before, I can't understand it".
The whisperer left, Storm removed his earplugs and let rip with that famous chesty laugh.
In an effort to understand the reasons behind Storm's unruly behaviour, Lottie once engaged the services of a highly rated horse whisperer at considerable expense.
After a full 8 hour session with the naughty equine the exhausted horse whisperer conceded defeat. "I can't get through to him" muttered the beaten professional, "I've never failed before, I can't understand it".
The whisperer left, Storm removed his earplugs and let rip with that famous chesty laugh.
Camilla
Camilla comes from a performance background, her parents having been regulars at the Covent Garden - a verdant vegetable patch tended by Mr and Mrs F. Covent of Auckland.
Her father Christopher was a noted exhibition leaf-cutter, and mother Alice was a stunt-caterpillar with starring roles in several pest killer commercials.
They formed an escapologist act called Chris-Alice, bound themselves Houdini-like in brown shrouds, expertly escaped in highly coloured aircraft and were never seen again.
To this day Camilla remains afraid of heights.
Her father Christopher was a noted exhibition leaf-cutter, and mother Alice was a stunt-caterpillar with starring roles in several pest killer commercials.
They formed an escapologist act called Chris-Alice, bound themselves Houdini-like in brown shrouds, expertly escaped in highly coloured aircraft and were never seen again.
To this day Camilla remains afraid of heights.
Sophie Spaghetti
This somewhat reclusive Dance-a-Lottie was an original member of "Al Dente and the Sauce" - remember their world-wide smash dance hit: "Hey Macaroni"?
The group's popularity quickly waned after releasing a song about the dangers of high-carbohydrate diets, and facing accusations of being anti-pasto.
A chance encounter at a pot-luck dinner with musician Ruth Hope stirred her back into action.
"Sophie impressed me - she was so bubbly" says Ruth, "and with great taste. I knew she wouldn't work with anything too cheesey".
The group's popularity quickly waned after releasing a song about the dangers of high-carbohydrate diets, and facing accusations of being anti-pasto.
A chance encounter at a pot-luck dinner with musician Ruth Hope stirred her back into action.
"Sophie impressed me - she was so bubbly" says Ruth, "and with great taste. I knew she wouldn't work with anything too cheesey".
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John Stevens
I first met The Dance-a-Lotties when they came to my studio to record their CD "We Can Dance".
I was immediately impressed with their energy, enthusiasm, and focus on bringing values-based quality entertainment to children. Later I had the pleasure to work with them again, this time on their acclaimed children's DVD "Archie & Lottie Go Camping". They have an incredible ability to engage with, and relate to children, and many parents have commented to me that their kids are hooked on the songs, and the infectious humour of their performances. I have given the DVDs as Christmas presents to some of my friends and they remark how their kids watch transfixed, and then ask to see it again. I have been to many of their live performances and watched the delight on the young faces at Archie & Lottie's antics. I have heard stories of how kids at Kindergartens made literally, dozens of little horses modelled on Storm and Blossom after a Dance-a-Lottie performance. Early in 2009 I asked the Dance-a-Lotties if I could become a regular part of this incredible team, to help spread the word about them and to continue to bring their vision to the children of the world. I'm delighted that they agreed.
John Stevens - multimedia specialist and musician.
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