Find out what’s happening in New Zealand dance news this month!
NZDC’s ‘OrphEus – a dance opera’. Photo by John McDermott.
The highly-anticipated production OrphEus – a dance opera by Michael Parmenter with The New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC) is approaching its world premiere season at Auckland Arts Festival (9 – 11 March) and New Zealand Festival (16 – 17 March). Centred around the Greek mythological character Orpheus, this production conveys a familiar story of love and loss, harmony and disorder through the power of dance, music and theatre. Student tickets are available for both Festivals. To book and for more information, visit nzdc.org.nz/orpheus.
NZDC’s Dance, Core & More class. Photo by Caroline Bindon.
Following the launch of evening Contemporary Classes for intermediate/advanced dancers, the continued success of Feisty Feet dance classes for the over 60s community, and the momentum from morning Professional Company Classes, NZDC introduces its new dance fitness class Dance, Core & More. Created for those who are always on the go, Dance, Core & More allows busy Auckland professionals to take a break from their desk every Tuesday 12:40-1:20pm for some lunchtime exercise that includes a bit of boogey, a bit of fitness and a whole lot of fun. The class is taught by former Limbs Dance Company member Susan Trainor, and no previous dance experience is required. Casual – $15 per class. For more, head to www.nzdc.org.nz/node/dancecoremore.
Garry Trinder. Photo by Stephen A’Court.
The New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD) continues with its celebrations. In 2018, the School acknowledges Garry Trinder’s 20-year anniversary as director of NZSD. Trinder began his directorship with the NZSD on 15 January 1998. Over his 20-year tenureship, he has grown the School’s reputation internationally, including forging relationships with acclaimed international classical ballet competitions, and setting up exchange programmes with top dance training schools. “There has been no ‘one moment’ that makes me feel gratified to be the School’s director, rather a series of moments where I see successful alumni of the School realise their dreams through dance,” Trinder says. “It is watching and teaching our students training to be the absolute best that they can be.”
NZSD will also be participating in the Académie de Danse festival to be held in Tahiti mid-March. Four students, along with Classical Tutor Turid Revfeim, will take part in master classes and classical and contemporary performances. Find out more at www.nzschoolofdance.ac.nz.
RNZB dancers Abigail Boyle and Paul Mathews with Hazel Couper. Photo by Stephen A’Court.
The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) premiered The Piano: the ballet by Jiri Bubenicek at the NZ Festival in Wellington to rave reviews and is touring the country until the end of March, including shows at the Auckland Arts Festival, as well as Napier, Dunedin, Christchurch and Palmerston North. For a trailer of The Piano: the ballet, click here.
RNZB’s popular regional touring programme, Tutus on Tour, gets underway on 15 March in Gore, and incorporates the RNZB Education programme Ballet in a Box, which is already at capacity for the entire 2018 season.
By Laura Di Orio of Dance Informa.
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