December 1 2008
Top Dance Scholarship “an amazing feeling”
New Zealand’s top dance scholarship has been awarded to 20-year-old Kyle Wood, securing him a place in the Royal New
Zealand Ballet (RNZB) for 2009.
The Brisbane-born dancer was awarded the Todd Scholarship at the New Zealand School of Dance’s graduation ceremony in
Wellington yesterday.
The scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding graduate from the school. It will contribute to Kyle’s salary for
his first year with the RNZB.
“I’m really honoured to be the next recipient of the Todd Corporation Scholarship,”
Kyle says.
“I performed with the company during Romeo and Juliet while I was still studying at the New Zealand School of Dance, and
it was a brilliant experience. So being selected to join as a fulltime company member is an amazing feeling. I’m really
looking forward to working with the dancers and staff.”
Kyle studied for three years fulltime at Queensland Dance School of Excellence and then travelled to Wellington in 2006
to commence his training at New Zealand School of Dance.
In his second year he danced with West Australian Ballet for three months, performing in Simon Dow’s production of
Alice. In 2008 he danced with the Royal New Zealand Ballet for their seasons of Red and Christopher Hampson’s Romeo and
Juliet. He graduated with a Diploma in Dance Performance in 2008.
Chairman of the Todd Corporation, John Todd, said that he was delighted to offer the scholarship for a talented dancer
from the School of Dance to join the Royal New Zealand Ballet. “The award will provide Kyle with the opportunity to
embark on his dancing career with a company which is producing work of the highest international standards.”
“I am thrilled that the company can offer Kyle Wood the Todd Corporation Scholarship for 2008. Having already worked
with the company during Romeo and Juliet, Kyle was a natural choice to join the ranks of the RNZB full time. I look
forward to working with him,” says Gary Harris, Artistic Director, RNZB.
ENDS