Media Release
For Immediate Release
28 March 2007
Special guests at New Zealand School of Dance
Matz Skoog and Anna-Marie Holmes, (pictured here with third year classical ballet students), are two of the guest
teachers at New Zealand School of Dance this year. From left: Rachel Decorte, Matz Skoog, Anna-Marie Holmes and Rory
Fairweather.
Photo: Matt Grace
This week, New Zealand School of Dance students are being treated to the knowledge and expertise of three acclaimed
guest teachers: Matz Skoog, Anna-Marie Holmes and Malia Johnston.
Originally from Sweden, Matz Skoog is the former Artistic Director of the Royal Danish Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet
and English National Ballet, and now a Permanent Guest Teacher at the New Zealand School of Dance. His wife, Amanda
Skoog, has recently been appointed General Manager of the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
Canadian-born Anna-Marie Holmes is an artistic director, choreographer, producer, competition judge, teacher, and
internationally celebrated ballerina. She was trained and coached in Russia and was the first North American invited to
perform with the Kirov Ballet. Anna-Marie is working with the classical ballet students at New Zealand School of Dance
for three weeks, and the School will be hosting ‘A Morning with Anna-Marie Holmes’ this Friday – a chance for members of
the public to observe Anna-Marie’s distinctive teaching style.
Malia Johnston is one of New Zealand’s rising choreographic stars. She has been the choreographer for World of
WearableArts for some seven years, and has also just finished a much-anticipated season of Dark Tourist for AK07. She is
currently mentoring second and third year contemporary dance students at the New Zealand School of Dance, who are in
rehearsal for this year’s Choreographic Season, Infinite Thread.
“It’s a real coup for New Zealand School of Dance to host such internationally-esteemed guest teachers,” says Director
Garry Trinder. “The students benefit immensely from the breadth of knowledge that Matz, Anna-Marie and Malia bring;
their expertise elevates the students’ technical standards and gives a true idea of what will be required of them in the
international dance profession.”
These three guest teachers will join the likes of Michael Parmenter, Victoria Simon from New York’s George Balanchine
Trust and Australian Dance Theatre’s Carol Wellman; all of whom will be mentoring and teaching New Zealand School of
Dance students this year.
For more information about ‘A Morning With Anna-Marie Holmes’ (Friday 30 March), please call Cathy McCullagh on 04 381
9211
To book tickets for Infinite Thread (25 May – 2 June), please call the booking line: 04 381 9254.
Ends.