300 aspiring dancers to compete for $250,000 in Wellington

300 aspiring dancers, 11-21 years old, to compete for $250,000 in prizes at Alana Haines Australasian Awards in Wellington, Easter Weekend 2013

300 NZ and Australian dancers aged 11-21 are about to descend upon Wellington for the 13th Alana Haines Australasian (AHA) Awards to compete for the largest and most prestigious Australasian ballet competition. With $250,000 in prizes and scholarships on offer this is an event that attracts the elite and is a place for people to see the talent of tomorrow.

Competitors’ technical and artistic abilities will be put to the test under the watchful eye of international judges in Wellington's iconic St James Theatre from 28-31 March. An adjudicated technical class starts the weekend followed by a performance of a set variation, plus an own choice solo for seniors, culminating in a Grand Finale hosted by Honorary Patron Sir John Trimmer KNZM, MBE.

New Zealand and Australia are celebrated for producing world class dancers and the AHA Awards is regarded as the stepping stone for youth with the desire and talent to become professional dancers. The unique skills, experience and exposure gained from competing are invaluable and prepare competitors for a life of dance.

New Zealand’s Hannah O’Neill and Delia Mathews are among those who have gained international profiles from the AHA Awards and proceeded to compete successfully in competitions abroad including the famed Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland. O’Neill placed first overall in 2009 and Mathews was named the Laureat winner in 2007. O’Neill and Mathews are now dancing in the Paris Opera Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet respectively, a dream come true for most budding dancers.

The AHA Awards is a dancer lead initiative in honour of Alana Haines, a promising 11 year old dancer whose life was taken in a car accident following a 2ZB ‘Buzz O Bumble’ show in Wellington on the Eve of Christmas in 1989. Premiering in Wellington in 1991, the AHA Awards continue to flourish under the management of Katie Haines, Alana’s mother, a former Royal New Zealand Ballet Dancer.

The AHA Awards continues to pay homage to a dedicated and talented young dancer. Although Haines was unable to reach her goal, her spirit continues to help like-minded dances reach their goals, which is exactly the way she would have wanted it.

Alana Haines Australasian Awards
St James Theatre, Wellington
29 – 31 March 2013
Sunday 31 March, 7pm Grand Final and Cocktail Party
Finals host and patron: Sir Jon Trimmer KNZM, MBE

Ticket Information
Prices range from $20-$65
www.ticketek.co.nz
0800 TICKETEK (0800 842 5385)

For more information about the Alana Haines Awards, visit http://www.ahaawards.co.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media