John graduated from NZSD in 2010 and his inspiring journey from soloist to Principal Dancer to Head of Flight Instructor Training has its foundations firmly rooted in his dance training.  

John's passion for dance has been the driving force behind his success, and his determination and hard work are a testament to what can be achieved when you put your mind to it.

What's your highlight from your time at the New Zealand School of Dance?

I enjoyed numerous opportunities to perform diverse roles at NZSD during my training. I think a particularly standout opportunity was working with Richard Chen-See whilst rehearsing Paul Taylor's 'Airs', the total commitment from all the teachers and students during the workshopping and rehearsal of this piece was a real highlight for me. Beyond that, I greatly enjoyed the integration of all walks of performing life at Te Whaea, it really felt like a home rather than a school.

Why did you audition for NZSD?

I auditioned for NZSD because at the time I was graduating from high school at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) and NZSD had a fantastic reputation as a place for molding young dancers. One of my teachers in Australia was a graduate of NZSD (Janne Blanche), and she strongly encouraged I audition. Having auditioned for a number of colleges and schools after high-school, I found the process extremely rewarding. It was more of a workshop than a cattle-call, and at every stage I felt I had a chance to display the best of myself for the panel. Nothing can beat the excitement one feels when an acceptance letter arrives in the mail!

What inspires you to dance and move? 

From an early age I wanted to dance, along with being an astronaut and flying aeroplanes...like any kid I guess! I think ultimately I love moving to and through music, if there's a rhythm and melody than I can use it and enjoy it. NZSD really made me appreciate that there can be no silence without sound, nor stillness without movement.

What have been your highlights since graduating from NZSD?

I was most fortunate to be offered employment by West Australian Ballet (WAB) immediately after graduation, and beneath Ivan Cavallari's direction I was blessed with performing multiple soloist and principal roles. A highlight was creating a pas de deux, choreographed by Ivan, called 'Strings' which was performed in the Quarry Amphitheatre under the stars along with on tour in Sydney. I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time when selection for this piece began, but throughout I was hearing the coaching voice of my pas de deux teacher Yuriy Klymenko in the back of my mind (as usual, informing me it's always the man's fault when something goes wrong!).

Tell us about your current role and location.

I have since moved from the performing arts into the world of aviation and I am now the Head of Flight Instructor Training at Sydney Flight College. My role is to teach people to be flight instructors, which does incorporate a great deal of role-playing where I simulate being a student (and often performing poorly), thereby allowing for some of my performing arts experience to shine!

How’s your dance training influenced your career?

I think the discipline and grueling nature of dance training have created a strong work ethic in me as a professional. Situational awareness is a very important aspect of aviation, we're constantly scanning our surroundings and being vigilant for changes in the environment. I do feel that dance training facilitates the development of very similar skills. I can't say it was an easy process training to be a dancer but it was certainly rewarding, and whether one remains an active dancer forever or follows other pathways, that training will be with you forever and will help to shape who you are.

What advice would you give to aspiring dancers?

Be couragous! Take risks and leap when you think you'll fall, that moment of weightlessness when you're yet to determine if you'll stick the landing is where the magic happens. There are endless cliches such as "you have to be in it to wind it" and "fake it til you make it", and these ring true certainly but ultimately you need to display your raw self at all times without being afraid of exposing your vulnerabilities. If the sum of who you are, what you've done, and where you've been were a portrait, then life is the Louvre and you have to be the Mona Lisa. People should be queueing outside overnight to watch you move, and avidly trying to copy your mastery. Apply that mentality to every humble movement at the barre and you will start to realise that there are no simple exercises, even the simplest tendu or plie should be salubriously self-indulgent. Lastly, always remember that if you're fifteen minutes early...you're already late!

‍