Special guests at New Zealand School of Dance

Media Release
For Immediate Release

28 March 2007

Special guests at New Zealand School of Dance

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.

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