MEDIA RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
23 APRIL 2007
New Zealand School of Dance Associate Director takes on new role
It is with great regret that the New Zealand School of Dance announces the resignation of its Associate Director and
Head of Contemporary Dance, Wendy Wallace. After nine years with the School, she has accepted the position of Artistic
Associate of contemporary dance company Black Grace, effective as of January 2008.
Wendy Wallace joined the New Zealand School of Dance in 1998 as an internationally-respected dancer, teacher and
choreographer, and over that time has been instrumental in developing and strengthening the NZSD contemporary dance
programme. Within the time Wendy has been at the School, students have graduated from the contemporary dance programme
into professional companies such as Douglas Wright Dance, Commotion Dance Company, Australian Dance Theatre, Footnote
Dance, Black Grace and Company C de la B.
One of Wendy’s key initiatives during her time at the New Zealand School of Dance was the popular Choreographic Season,
which gives contemporary dance students the opportunity to choreograph, workshop and show their work to the public in a
professionally-presented annual production. The positive response from both audience and media to the Choreographic
Season is testament to Wendy’s talent and hard work.
Wendy worked with Black Grace recently as Rehearsal Director of the much-anticipated Amata. The production is currently
on a tour of the North Island, following a sold-out season in Auckland’s AK07 festival. Amata features six graduates of
New Zealand School of Dance within a company of thirteen.
Garry Trinder, Director of New Zealand School of Dance, said, “Wendy’s contribution to the New Zealand School of Dance
has been enormous, in terms of her tireless work in raising technical standards and her dedication to promoting
contemporary dance as an art form. Whilst she will be sorely missed, we are very keen to sustain a professional
relationship with Wendy well into the future.”
ENDS
Infinite Thread – New Zealand School of Dance Choreographic Season. 25 May – 2 June
Te Whaea Theatre (for tickets phone 04 381 9254)
www.nzschoolofdance.co.nz