School of Dance Associate Director takes new role

MEDIA RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
23 APRIL 2007

New Zealand School of Dance Associate Director takes on new role

It is with great regret that the New Zealand School of Dance announces the resignation of its Associate Director and Head of Contemporary Dance, Wendy Wallace. After nine years with the School, she has accepted the position of Artistic Associate of contemporary dance company Black Grace, effective as of January 2008.

Wendy Wallace joined the New Zealand School of Dance in 1998 as an internationally-respected dancer, teacher and choreographer, and over that time has been instrumental in developing and strengthening the NZSD contemporary dance programme. Within the time Wendy has been at the School, students have graduated from the contemporary dance programme into professional companies such as Douglas Wright Dance, Commotion Dance Company, Australian Dance Theatre, Footnote Dance, Black Grace and Company C de la B.

One of Wendy’s key initiatives during her time at the New Zealand School of Dance was the popular Choreographic Season, which gives contemporary dance students the opportunity to choreograph, workshop and show their work to the public in a professionally-presented annual production. The positive response from both audience and media to the Choreographic Season is testament to Wendy’s talent and hard work.

Wendy worked with Black Grace recently as Rehearsal Director of the much-anticipated Amata. The production is currently on a tour of the North Island, following a sold-out season in Auckland’s AK07 festival. Amata features six graduates of New Zealand School of Dance within a company of thirteen.

Garry Trinder, Director of New Zealand School of Dance, said, “Wendy’s contribution to the New Zealand School of Dance has been enormous, in terms of her tireless work in raising technical standards and her dedication to promoting contemporary dance as an art form. Whilst she will be sorely missed, we are very keen to sustain a professional relationship with Wendy well into the future.”

ENDS

Infinite Thread – New Zealand School of Dance Choreographic Season. 25 May – 2 June
Te Whaea Theatre (for tickets phone 04 381 9254)

www.nzschoolofdance.co.nz

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