Royal New Zealand Ballet younger sister to shine in Europe

Tauranga, 8 May 2019

Arabella Moore than just a pretty face

Twelve weeks and counting for Tauranga’s Arabella Moore’s journey to London to accept the summer ballet scholarship to the exclusive Rambert School.

Training dancers for almost a century, the Rambert School is recognized internationally as one of the small group of first-level dance schools in the world. The course is a chance for aspiring dancers to immerse themselves in dance, creativity and performance for one week. Students are given the opportunity to train in Rambert’s world-class facilities in Southwest London with faculty and alumni of Rambert School, experiencing their training environment and creative ethos, deepening technical training, and nurturing creativity and artistic expression.

“After working with Arabella in January in New Zealand,” explains former Hong Kong Ballet Director Terry Etheridge, “I was so impressed with her choreography talent and approach to her work. Such a wonderful attitude and a very pleasing and talented student to work with. I had a scholarship from the Rambert School of Ballet and decided she was it. Rambert was where I trained and was later offered the position of Principal by Dame Marie Rambert’s daughter. I am hopeful that she will be offered a place as a full-time student when they see her dance this summer.”

She isn’t your typical giggly 15-year-old girl, focused and determined Arabella Moore lives and breathes the heady world of ballet and is on track to becoming New Zealand’s next dancing sensation. Born in Dunedin, and raised in Tauranga, Arabella Moore has dancing in her blood. Big sisterOlivia dances with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, younger sister Lucia trains and competes as well and is also a NZSD National Scholar, mum Kat sews all the girl’s costumes, and even Dad C.J. acts as stage manager for their local productions

“Arabella has danced since she could walk,” says mum Kat Moore. “It was always music, creativity and performance; so, as you can imagine, we’ve sat through many a home show. Arabella has a rare talent of being strong in both the classical and contemporary genres of ballet and aspires to be unique and creative in these art forms. She has an engaging and dynamic dance style and as a family we have always supported her wholeheartedly through her hard work and diligence to reach her goals.”

Arabella began her dance journey at the age of two in Dunedin after countless tears when dropping big sister Olivia off at ballet. A move to Tauranga brought the family to Dance Education Centre (DEC) run by the esteemed mother-daughter team Prue and Debbie Gooch, who have trained greats such as Delia Matthews, principal of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, and Ty King-Wall, male principal of the Australian Ballet Company. It is here that Arabella has learned not only the technical side of dance, but has been inspired to take that knowledge and turn it into her own form of art.

“Arabella has an exciting pathway ahead of her as a multi-functional dancer,” explains DEC Director Debbie Gooch. “Her consistent training has put her in a position to explore a number of exclusive schools in both the UK and Australia. Arabella is a naturally athletic, highly physical dancer, which parallels the new wave of industry professionals. Her work ethic is exceptional, mixed with a rare talent towards choreography. Arabella has a very promising future both as a dancer, and ongoing as a choreographer.”

Beginning dance competitions at the age of 6, Arabella has accumulated nine years of top accolades and trophies at local, national and international competitions. In 2015 she competed in Brussels in an international ballet competition winning gold at the age of 11. She is currently aNew Zealand School of Dance (NZSD) National Scholar and Senior Associate, Royal NZ Ballet Mentor Student, PW Dance and Sportswear Ambassador, and ITP Dance Masters International Student.

Most recently, at the Dance Masters International seminar, Arabella was awarded summer scholarships to the Queensland Ballet School, and the prestigious Rambert School in the UK, which she accepted. She was also awarded a scholarship to Victorian State Ballet from the SABA Summer school in Auckland.

Arabella’s journey over the past 18 months has given her strength, determination and resolve to make her dreams a reality. When asked about what the future might hold for this bright New Zealand starlit, the world’s an open stage.

“I am beyond excited to be given this scholarship to Rambert in London,” says Arabella. “I aspire to be a world class choreographer in the ballet, neo classical and contemporary genres, so to be awarded this scholarship is a step in the right direction towards achieving my life-long dream. I will also be competing this year in the Brisbane Performing Arts Competition and The NZ Logans Award; as well as other local NZ competitions. I am also working towards being able to train full-time in 2020. It’s a year full of possibilities.”

To take advantage of the Rambert School scholarship, Arabella and her family are fundraising. If you would like to be a part of Arabella’s journey please contact Kat Moore info@arabellamoore.com.

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