2015 Graduates Secure Top Contracts

As New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD) students graduate from an exceptionally successful year in 2015 many will take up company contracts in the New Year.

Lola Howard joins West Australian Ballet, and Yayoi Matches becomes a Jette Parker Young Artist with Queensland Ballet. Earlier in the year Tirion Law took up a contract with the Hong Kong Ballet, and has already danced with the company in Pinocchio and Romeo and Juliet. Ties with Singapore continue to grow with Yeo Chan Yee and Wan Jiajing both joining Singapore Dance Theatre.

2015 contemporary dance graduates Demi-Jo Manalo and Latisha Sparks will launch their professional careers with New Zealand’s Okareka Dance Company. Latisha, on a seasonal contract, will then travel with fellow graduate Felix Sampson to Iratxe Ansa Projects in Mexico. Graduates will also dance in Australia; Georgia Rudd joining Dancenorth, Jag Popham with Expressions Dance Company and several students offered contracts with Shaun Parker & Company.

In a historic move, Felipe Domingos who joined the School in February, will join the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB). A prestigious achievement for a first year student. Georgia Powley will also join RNZB as the Todd Scholar, on a full-time contract supported by the Todd Corporation. “I am very excited that we can offer Georgia the Todd Scholarship. We look forward to giving both Georgia and Felipe the chance to join us in 2016 and watching them develop into accomplished dancers with the RNZB,” said RNZB Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia.

2015 students Latisha Sparks and Felix Sampson, photographed by Stephen A'Court

Images: Yayoi Matches and Felipe Domingos (top), Latisha Sparks and Felix Sampson (below). Photographed by Stephen A’Court