Graduate Soon to be Dancing up a 'Graceful' Storm

Jaydean Tautari performing at International Arts Festival, France 2008.

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Whitireia graduate Jaydean Tautari has secured a one year contract with dance company Black Grace and will be debuting in Artistic Director Neil Ieremia's brand new work Gathering Clouds which he promises will be "beautiful in its fury."

Tautari completed a Bachelor of Applied Arts (Performing Arts) in 2008 at Whitireia Community Polytechnic, graduating with the highest grades and a record of outstanding performance.

Early in January, Performing Arts tutor Tuaine Robati invited Tautari to join him at a dance workshop in Auckland with Ieremia. 22 year old Tautari was offered a contract from Ieremia the next day and has had to pack up everything and relocate to Auckland within a week.

"It is amazing for a graduate to be offered a full year contract," Says Robati. "Especially fresh out of training, we are so proud."

Gathering Clouds responds to controversial claims made by economist Greg Clydesdale in which he warns that Polynesians display "significant and enduring under achievement" - a problem he believes immigration is making worse. Gathering Clouds debuts in Auckland on 6 March, followed by performances nationwide, including Wellington's Opera House on 24 March. The troupe will also travel to Guam and Germany later in the year.

Places are still available in Bachelor of Applied Arts (Performing Arts) for more information call 0800 944 847.

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