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Two students have graduated from the New Zealand School of Dance’s aspirational Scholars programme into the School’s full-time course.

Sophie Arbuckle and Megan Wright are both studying towards the Certificate in Dance Performance in 2014, and achieving success among their peers, having reached Level 6 of Scholars, a part-time programme for ballet students from age 10.

“Being a Scholar was a huge confidence boost for me, I loved being in the environment of a full-time school”, says Sophie, who is a first year classical student. “The experiences I gained set me up well for the audition, and I was a lot more prepared from having the extra classes provided by the programme”.

Second year student Megan was chosen for a lead role in the NZSD’s 2013 graduation programme, and both Megan and Sophie are currently learning George Balanchine’s ‘Concerto Barocco’, which will feature in this year’s Graduation Season. The two girls were also chosen to spend a month on exchange at NZSD partner school, Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto, in January 2014.

During their time as Scholars, one of two Aspirational programmes run by the School, the girls participated in Insight Studio Performances and had specialised Pilates programmes to follow. Scholars receive regular feedback and an annual assessment. Alongside training with their private sector teachers, Bronwyn Bennett of Chilton Dance Centre and Paula Hunt at what is now Wellington Dance Academy, the girls had opportunities to learn from NZSD tutors and to experience at first hand, life at the School.

“The Scholars programme was a wonderful stepping stone in my path towards joining a ballet company – I would recommend it to any aspiring young dancer”, says Megan.

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Photo: Sophie Arbuckle in Insight Studio Performance 2014, photographed by Stephen A’Court

Our 2014 students have been flying high this year, securing secondments, overseas experience, and contracts with companies.

Michael Ramsay and James Wasmer (pictured), had secured jobs barely half way through their third year at the School. Michael (in the air) is joining Australian Dance Theatre, and James Black Grace Dance Company.

Other third year students have been overseas to gain experience. Kaena Ahern attended the prestigious Ballet School at Jacobs Pillow in the US and Demi Jo Manalo performed in Java Dance company’s ‘Back of the Bus’ at Edinburgh Festival. James Wasmer also toured to Edinburgh to perform with Black Grace. Two third year students are currently at Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s P.A.R.T.S Summer School in Belgium and another at the Nederlands Dans Theater Summer Intensive.

Earlier in the year Tynan Wood joined Sydney Dance Company working with Rafael Bonachela in the lead-up to their season of ‘Interplay’. A secondment with the Royal New Zealand Ballet provided touring experience for Jarrah McArthur with this year’s production of ‘Coppélia’. Four other classical students, Yayoi Matches, Elizabeth Zorino, Kaena Ahern and Shi Yue will also join the company for rehearsals of ‘A Christmas Carol’ in October. Contemporary students have spent time this year with Australian Dance Theatre, Daniel Jaber & Dancers, Footnote, Expressions, The New Zealand Dance Company, Lucy Guerin, Dancenorth, Ross McCormack and Chunky Move.

Students will be going on secondment soon with Bangarra, Atamira and Sue Healey, and our first year students will begin rehearsals for the World of Wearable Art Awards Show in September. Industry experience continuing to provide a valuable component of the NZSD’s full-time course.

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Photo: Michael Ramsay and James Wasmer, photographed by Stephen A’Court

The NZSD is thrilled to have reached the fundraising target to purchase a new piano for the School this month.

A grand piano was urgently needed to replace an older instrument soon to leave the building. The beautiful Schimmel K189 will arrive at the School next week and be in use from its first day in the studio. This new piano will last for 40-50 years, benefitting at least 59,000 dancers.

A piano is a vital piece of equipment to teach dance, particularly classical ballet. It will be used to accompany classes on a daily basis and the School’s pianists are very much looking forward to putting it through its paces. “It’s going to be wonderful to have such a high quality instrument that will be able to withstand the hard knocks we give it”, said Phillip O’Malley.

A special fundraising appeal struck a chord with the dance community, who together have made the grand piano a reality for the school and have joined our family of supporters. The NZSD thanks the Lion Foundation, Wellington Community Trust, Pub Charity, and the wonderful individuals who made this purchase possible through their generosity.

Donate to NZSD

The NZSD is a registered charity (number CC24138) and member of the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand. Donations are tax deductible.

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Photo: NZSD Pianist Phillip O’Malley playing the new piano

In July, NZSD graduate Luke Hanna will tutor young Māori and Pacific Island men in the School’s Tū Move programme.

A dancer and choreographer, Luke’s career has taken him round the world. He has worked with leading companies such as Black Grace, Australian Dance Theatre and Dancenorth. Now Wellington based, Luke choreographed his own work for the 2014 Fringe NZ festival, fusing elements of Māori art and contemporary dance.

Keen to share his enjoyment of movement with younger dancers, Luke says; “I’m passionate about the Tū Move workshop because it encourages young males to find a different way of being physical. Growing up as a male interested in dance, I found it was not something easily accepted in the community, and I’m here to shed some light on that reality.”

Tū Move runs for three days in the July school holidays at the New Zealand School of Dance in Wellington.

“I’m excited to have some fun and work up a storm.” says Luke.

Luke Hanna on Video

Luke Hanna: Contemporary Dancer, filmed for Radio New Zealand’s The Wireless

Video produced by Jeremy Brick, extra footage by Jason Wright

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Photo: Luke  Hanna, photographed by Stephen A’Court

The New Zealand School of Dance is delighted to welcome Turid Revfeim to the teaching staff.

A graduate of the School, and esteemed member of New Zealand’s dance community, Turid brings to three the complement of former Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) dancers now teaching at NZSD.

“Over 28 years Turid has made an extraordinary contribution to the Royal New Zealand Ballet – as a dancer, artistic co-ordinator and most recently as Ballet Mistress. Turid’s strength has always been in nurturing talent and so I know she will make a huge contribution to the New Zealand School of Dance.” said Amanda Skoog, Managing Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

Alongside her RNZB peers, Nadine Tyson and Qi Huan, Turid’s appointment will help provide NZSD students with the highest standard of training delivery.

Director of the School Garry Trinder says, “It is always gratifying to welcome successful graduates back to teach at the School. In this way we invigorate our training and can be certain what we offer remains relevant to the profession.”

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Photo, L to R: Nadine Tyson, Qi Huan, Turid Revfeim

One of the dance world’s heroes, Li Cunxin, visited the NZSD in April to provide a master class for the School’s classical students.

Widely known for his autobiography ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’, which also became a feature film in 2009, Li has had an interesting road to stardom. Born in rural China and trained at the Beijing Dance Academy, he is now artistic director of Australia’s Queensland Ballet.

Li who last visited the School in 2012, was in New Zealand to present three events for the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s 20th Anniversary, including this master class. He led the NZSD students majoring in classical ballet in a grueling 90 minute class, that extended their technique and tested their fitness.

Second year student Charlotte Gleeson said, to be in class with Li Cunxin was “so beneficial, and inspirational. You had to be really focussed and pick things up quickly. It gave me an idea of what to expect in a company”. She said “It was really exciting to be taught by Li, I’ve seen the movie Mao’s Last Dancer lots of times.”

The class was watched by supporters and staff of the School, local dance teachers, and two members of the NZSD Scholars programme. New Zealand School of Dance director Garry Trinder said “Li Cunxin is a substantial force in the international dance world. His wisdom and life experience go beyond technique and musicality to taste and artistry.”

“We are fortunate to have Li bring this rich ballet tradition to our school. Li is a wonderfully perceptive, intelligent and inspirational teacher.”

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Thank you to Asia New Zealand Foundation for making this master class possible.

NZSD final year contemporary dance students have set themselves a unique challenge to help raise funds for their Choreographic Season show. They will improvise 1000 dance moves through a door on Cuba Street.

The students have been offered the film set of a dilapidated house to stage their performances in – which fits perfectly with their vision for the production. But to cover the costs of moving and installing the set in the theatre safely, the students need to raise $2,000 by 13 April.

So they have formed a team and set themselves the unusual fundraising challenge of improvising 1000 dance moves through a stand-alone door on the buskers’ stage in Cuba Street, Wellington, from 1pm on Thu 10 April. They are hoping their unusual stunt will motivate people to help.

Student Eliza Sanders said, “I feel really excited about the challenge – none of us really know what we’re in for but it should be fun. To be able to build this set and create a unique and outstanding production would be amazing”.

Every donation towards this appeal will help the students to build their set. To support the students, please donate online at www.givealittle.co.nz.

The New Zealand Festival 2014 sees the Premiere of a new full length dance work from NZSD graduate Ross McCormack.

Since graduating from the New Zealand School of Dance Ross has performed with Douglas Wright, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Australian Dance Theatre and the highly acclaimed Belgian company Les Ballets C de la B. Recently returning to New Zealand he has established himself as a choreographic talent, creating works for Okareka Dance Company, Footnote, and the New Zealand School of Dance, amongst others.
 
His new work ‘AGE’, commissioned by the New Zealand Festival, spans three generations with ten-year-old Harry Eathorne and highly respected theatre artist Mick Rose performing alongside internationally renowned dancers James O’Hara, Alex Leonhartsberger, Claire O’Neil and New Zealand School of Dance graduates Nicola Leahey and Luke Hanna. NZSD graduates also man the production team, Melanie Hamilton producing the season and Victoria Colombus taking a break from teaching contemporary dance at the School to be rehearsal director.

Ross has said he is strongly influenced by Les Ballets C de la B, the company that inspired him to become a choreographer and whom he considers a ‘second family’. “I have learnt  a vast amount about the investigation of the body and movement from working with C de la B director Alain Patel”, he says.  

The New Zealand Festival season of AGE runs 13 – 16 March 2014.

Watch AGE in Rehearsal

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Photo: Harry Eathorne in AGE, photographed by Jason Wright

Qi Huan, a leading dancer with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, is joining the staff of the New Zealand School of Dance in May.

Qi will be a full-time classical tutor, with a focus on training male dancers on the School’s full-time course.

An exceptional dancer, Qi has been a senior artist with the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) for the past nine years and has performed many principal roles. Qi partnered US ballet star Gillian Murphy in ‘Giselle’ for the company’s tour of the US earlier this year and in Toa Fraser’s 2013 film.

Qi has always had a passion for teaching. He has a Bachelor Degree of teaching and performing arts in ballet, and taught at the Beijing Dance Academy from 2003 – 04 before coming to New Zealand to join the RNZB.

“To become a ballet teacher has always been one of my future goals and dreams. I’d love to share all my dance knowledge and stage experience with the younger generation”, Qi said of teaching at the NZSD.

“I am so excited to explore and learn more as well as work with all the dedicated and disciplined people at NZSD”.

Read more

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Photo: Qi Huan, photographed by Ross Brown for the Royal New Zealand Ballet
 

Students from the New Zealand School of Dance are once again in demand with dance companies.

2013 students Jiang Peng Fei, Oscar Hoelscher and William Fitzgerald have joined the Royal New Zealand Ballet this year. Oscar, who has been named as the Todd Scholar, and Peng Fei are touring with the company to the US in January, appearing in Los Angeles and New York. Several others have travelled further afield to take up contracts; Benjamin Obst with Queensland Ballet, Samuel Wilson with Nevada Ballet Theatre, and Ruth Austin, Stefaan Morrow and Chen Ruifeng with Singapore Dance Theatre. This brings the number of NZSD graduates who have danced full-time with Singapore Dance Theatre to 17 since the company was founded in 1988.

Several students from the class of 2013, are launching their professional careers with New Zealand contemporary dance companies. Katie Rudd has joined The New Zealand Dance Company, Michael Gudgeon and Sarah Gatzonis are soon to be performing with Java Dance and Luigi Vescio is joining Footnote Dance. Both Java and the New Zealand Dance Company are directed by distinguished alumni of the School; Shona McCullagh (NZDC) and Sacha Copland (Java). The New Zealand School of Dance continues its legacy of contributing to the Asia Pacific region’s vibrant dance culture, with its graduates receiving offers of employment after graduation each year.

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Photo: 2013 student Jiang Peng Fei, photographed by Stephen A’Court