NZ School of Dance student scoops major prize

17 April 2007

New Zealand School of Dance student scoops major prize

New Zealand School of Dance student Pedro Cassiano has won the prestigious Alana Haines Australasian Award. The nineteen year old has just returned from the Auckland-based competition, in which 155 dancers competed for the prize. Pedro, who is in his final year of study at the New Zealand School of Dance, also won the Audience Favourite award at the competition.

Pedro’s fellow New Zealand School of Dance students Sharni Spencer and Rory Fairweather-Neyland also competed at the Alana Haines Australasian Awards, both reaching the finals. Lynn Wallis, Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Dance, applauded the School for presenting “fantastic dancers in fantastic choreography”.

The Alana Haines Australasian Awards comprised a technique class and three publicly-presented rounds. Adjudicators were – Kerry-Ann Gilberd (former principal, Royal New Zealand Ballet), Nicola Searchfield (former soloist, The Royal Ballet) and Mark Annear (Senior Tutor, The Australian Ballet School).

Originally from Brazil, Pedro undertook a scholarship to train at the New Zealand School of Dance after reaching the finals of the 2005 Youth America Grand Prix ballet competition, in New York. In addition to his success at the AHA Awards, Pedro has also recently been awarded a scholarship to attend the School at Jacob’s Pillow and the San Francisco Ballet School.

ENDS