Monthly Archives: July 2017

Choreographers Syrai-Tiare Taumihau in collaboration with company (Auckland, NZ)

A recent graduate of the University of Auckland’s Dance Studies programme, Syrai is currently studying her postgraduate Bachelor of Dance (Honours). She is a fruit salad of culture, being of Tahitian, Cook Island, Tongan and European descent, taking her whole self with her when she choreographs. Syrai has an interest in themes that are sometimes unconventional and loves to present different types of movement in her dance pieces. She has collaborated with many people throughout her university degree including collaboration for dance pieces that have been in Short and Sweet Dance festival over the past 2 years. Syrai continues this collaboration with her dancers for this piece. All dancers are either graduates of the Dance Studies programme or currently completing the degree.

Choreographers Nicole Wilkie (Auckland, NZ)

Nicole is a freelance dancer and choreographer based in Auckland. Originally from Dunedin, she performed as part of several dance collectives there, including Lizzie Hewitt Dance Company and GASP! Dance, before relocating to Auckland in 2016. Nicole graduated from Unitec’s dance program in 2018. Since graduating she has toured to Asia with Manu collective, and has also presented her work ‘Clash’ as part of Auckland Fringe Festival.

Hana Kirk

Pamela McHardy

Nicole Wilkie

Choreographer Joanna Cook

Joanna Cook is a dance artist that loves to travel. She spent 11 years overseas working with dance makers such as Rafael Bonachela (SDC), Jason Winters (JWCT), Erica Sobol, Shaun Parker, Danielle Ohn (KCDC), Yamit Kalef (Ohad Naharin, Jiří Kylián), Idan Sharabi, Eyal Dadon, Oded Graff, Chisato Ohno (Batsheva).

She returned to her homeland in December 2019 in order to undertake a Post Graduate Diploma in Dance Studies at UoA. She is currently interested in researching the interweaving of text, vocalisation, soundscape, installation and choreographic forms to push her own and others fields of knowing and boundaries of embodiment.

Choreographers Jenny De Leon

Jenny De Leon, dancer-choreographer-teacher, also a registered Psychotherapist, practitioner of Bikram yoga, and occasional writer and academic. Mother of two in their young 20’s. Recently performed in America for her teacher Mr Bill Evans.

Choreographers Oli Mathiesen (Auckland, NZ), Bruce (Bohao) Feng (China), Sharvon Mortimer (Rotorua, NZ)

Oli, Bruce and Sharvon are currently in their second year of a BPSA at Unitec. The dynamic trio has great joy collaborating with each other, utilising their individual skills and styles to discover their own choreographic processes.

Choreographer Sarah-Louise Collins (Auckland, NZ)

Sarah-Louise graduated from Unitec Dance in 2015. She has worked with many New Zealand artists such as, val smith, Malia Johnston, Claire O’Neil, Caitlin Davey and Tallulah Holly-Massey. She co-created and performed in Catacular which had two sold out seasons. Her production company, Made With Magic Productions, has produced a number of critically acclaimed works such as Fabricate, Extra Ordinary Folk, Mammoth and Bad Mood.

Choreographer Heather Maday (Auckland, NZ) 

Independent Dance Company Focus Dance Company 

Heather is the founder of the fledgling Focus Dance Company aimed at making dance available to everyone. She focuses on issues that are topical to society and the stories of those around her. Heather graduated with a Bachelor of Dance degree and has spent time expanding her knowledge at the Broadway Dance Centre. She is currently teaching contemporary dance at Victory Performance Centre.

Mana Allen

Summer Aykroyd

Tayla Coulbeck

Rebekah Harris

Pavlo Kokhanenko

Heather Maday