Every time we review New Zealand School of Dance performances, we wonder where the graduates travel to in the next phase of their career. Each of the performances were polished, professional and breathtaking…
Thread attended the 45th Anniversary Graduation season of the New Zealand School of Dance at te whaea: National Dance and Drama Centre in Wellington.
Every time we review New Zealand School of Dance performances, we wonder where the graduates travel to in the next phase of their career. Each of the performances were polished, professional and breathtaking to watch. No wonder there are many international troupes featuring dancers who graduated from NZSD.
Graduation Season 2012 celebrated 45 years of extraordinary talent. Two traditionally diametrically opposed genres – classical ballet and contemporary dance showcased world class choreography by New Zealand and International choreographers. Pictured left: Hollie Mason in ‘Odem’ by Ivica Novakovic, photograph by Stephen A’Court.
Two performances stood out. These were both performances choreographed by NZSD graduates. Loughlan Prior’s Verse was a “physical calligraphy” dedicated to David Carson Parker (a long-time patron of the arts). Mia Mason’s Brunhilde Observing Gunther was inspired by a drawing by artist Johann Heinrich Fussli from 1807. The dancers were focused, intense and committed.
One main theme stood out across a number of the performances. This was the theme centred around relationships. From the intense passionate relationship between two lovers to the relationship between self and society there were clear messages that came through in the performances.
New Zealand School of Dance has a fantastic reputation both nationally and internationally. According to NZSD around a third of the Royal New Zealand Ballet have trained at New Zealand School of Dance and on average, 80 percent of graduating students gain contracts within six months of graduating. These contracts are worldwide with some pretty impressive companies.
If you are a dancer thinking of enrolling at the New Zealand School of Dance – do it. If you have never seen a live performance by the NZSD dancers – keep up with their seasonal performances and visit nzschoolofdance.ac.nz
Garments worn in previous performances, photograph Cynthia Greep.
The fantastic space at te whaea: National Dance and Drama Centre, photograph Cynthia Greep.
Below: Luis Piva Junior in ‘Verse’ by Loughlan Prior, photograph Stephen A’Court.
Below: Chloe Einicke and Stefaan Morrow in ‘Symphony No.1, Opus 25’ by Edmund Stripe, photograph Stephen A’Court.
Cyndi Greep, 3 December 2012
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