Footnote Dancers Take Off!

26 October 2005

Four of New Zealand's top young contemporary dancers from Footnote Dance Company head to the UK this week to immerse themselves in the international contemporary dance world. The opportunity to embark on an intensive month-long work-out with some of the best contemporary dance companies and choreographers in the world is a professional development initiative instigated by Footnote's Director Deirdre Tarrant and is a New Zealand dance-sector "first".

Halina Wolyncewicz, Lance Riley, Hannah Stannard and Anita Hunziker will embark on what is a unique professional development opportunity in the field of contemporary dance. During their month in London they will take classes with leading international practitioners at The Place, home of London Contemporary Dance. Timed to coincide with Dance Umbrella, an international festival of contemporary dance featuring leading international companies, they will also get to see work performed by renowned dancers and choreographers such as Michael Clarke, Daniel Leveille, Niklas Laustiola Charles Linehan and Tom Roden. In addition, Ballet Rambert opens its new premises with a new programme.

"This is the best time to be in the UK soaking up the international contemporary dance scene," enthuses Tarrant. "There's a terrific line-up of experienced professionals for these Footnoters to learn from and see, and of course there's the kiwi connection with our own Mark Baldwin at Ballet Rambert."

Continuing its commitment to nurturing sustainable professional careers in New Zealand contemporary dance, Deirdre Tarrant knows too well that doing the OE alone as a dancer with limited resources, is difficult. She sees this opportunity for the four Footnote dancers as important to their professional career development and says it is a reflection of each dancer's dedication and commitment.

"I think it's a first ever for a contemporary New Zealand dance company to nurture and develop its dancers by offering professional development at an international level," says Tarrant.

"This group have been full-time as Footnote dancers for some time now and this opportunity comes as we, as a company, have come of age following our successful 20-year celebrations this year. Each of these young dancers have shown true seriousness that this is what they want to be doing professionally, so I'm delighted that we have been able to open-up this opportunity for them to grow and go further.

The chance to embrace new and other creative processes beyond what we offer them here as a full-time New Zealand company, is invaluable. I know it will be a hands-on experience and an immersion that will stay with them for many years to come. They will bring learning back home for the benefit of New Zealand and the contemporary dance sector."

ENDS

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