Find out what’s happening in New Zealand dance this month!
Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) dancers Mayu Tanigaito and Joseph Skelton recently performed as international guest artists with the Greek National Opera Ballet.
RNZB’s Mayu Tanigaito and Joseph Skelton in ‘Giselle’. Photo by Stefanos Kyriakopoulos.
Tanigaito and Skelton danced the leading roles of Giselle and Albrecht in the Greek National Opera Ballet’s production of Giselle, at the Olympia Theatre in Athens. The opportunity was arranged by RNZB Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia and Andonis Foniadakis, ballet director at the Greek National Opera Ballet.
The dancers have now returned to RNZB to begin rehearsals for Roland Petit’s Carmen and L’Arlésienne, the first time that the company has performed works by the legendary French choreographer. Two Ballets by Roland Petit: Carmen, with L’Arlésienne, will open an eight-centre national tour in Christchurch, on 16 February 2017. To book tickets, click here.
New Footnote Dance Company members. Photo courtesy of Footnote Dance Company.
Footnote Dance Company has recently held its popular Choreolab, a three-week choreographic intensive. Each day, the Choreolab dancers had the opportunity to work with a number of different tutors. Morning classes were taught by past Footnote company members Lucy Marinkovich, Manu Reynaud, Jeremy Beck and Anita Hunziker. The company is now back in action for the year with a new cast of dancers: Joshua Faleatua, Georgia Beechey, Tyler Carney, Anu Khapung and Adam Naughton.
Okareka Dance Company has recently held its annual Summer School, now in its sixth successful year. The intensive school, held at Unitec Dance Studios over two weeks, included a full range of classes from contemporary and classical technique, to partnering, improvisation and composition. It was led by highly skilled tutors from Aotearoa: Taiaroa Royal (co-artistic director, Okareka Dance Company), Taane Mete (co-artistic director, Okareka Dance Company) and special guest tutor Ian RT Colless from Australia.
New Zealand School of Dance students in 1967. Photo courtesy of NZSD.
To mark the New Zealand School of Dance’s historic 50th anniversary in 2017, the School will be publishing a collector’s book of highlights, honouring alumni, choreographers and teachers who have played a significant role in shaping this country’s dance culture. Special events are also being planned for the School’s 50th year around a gala weekend, 24 – 26 November 2017. The 50th anniversary will provide a rare opportunity for alumni to connect and reminisce with friends and tutors from their time at the School. Join the NZSD team in making this event the most memorable for all. For tickets to the 50th Anniversary Graduation Season, click here.
By Rain Francis of Dance Informa.
Share this:
