10 August 2004
MEDIA RELEASE
New Zealand School of Dance graduate wins major dance award
Ross McCormack, a contemporary dance graduate of the New Zealand School of Dance, was awarded last night Best Male
Dancer in a Ballet or Dance Work, at the annual Helpmann Awards held in Sydney, Australia.
The Helpmann Awards recognise distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in the many performing arts sectors,
including musical theatre, contemporary music, opera, classical music, dance and physical theatre.
Ross was recognised for his performance in Australian Dance Theatre's most recent work, HELD. Since graduating from the
New Zealand School of Dance in 2001, Ross has performed in works by New Zealand contemporary dance choreographers
Douglas Wright and Raewyn Hill, before joining ADT in 2003.
Garry Stewart, Artistic Director of Australian Dance Theatre (ADT) and soon to be artist in residence at the New Zealand
School of Dance, was crowned Best Choreographer also for HELD.
The School looks forward to welcoming Garry Stewart in September. His work Currently Under Investigation will be
presented by students of the New Zealand School of Dance in November as part of Graduation Season 2004.
(ENDS)