Dance Talent Leads to Black Grace

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Dance Talent Leads to Black Grace

Two Whitireia Performing Arts students landed themselves internships with internationally renowned dance company Black Grace.

Andy Tilo and Callum Sefo started their internships with Black Grace four and a half months ago; they have been training with the company in Auckland since December. This is the first time students from our performing arts programme have secured an internship, while still studying said Tuaine Robati, Performing Arts Tutor at Whitireia. “This internship has provided Andy and Callum with the opportunity of a lifetime; they have been training with some of this county’s most talented Pacific contemporary dancers.”

Along with the internship, the students were also successful in being selected to tour for six weeks with Black Grace to the USA in February of this year. They were part of a tour party of 15, 11 being dancers, that toured North America, performing in 9 different centres.

Now back in New Zealand, and after a few days back at their Whitireia performing arts study the students are off again touring with Black Grace – this time to the South Island where they are performing to sell-out audiences in Wanaka and Queenstown as part of the Festival of Colour and in Invercargill as part of the Southland Festival of the Arts.

I have been obsessed with Black Grace since I was 15 said Andy. “Having the experience to train and be part of this dance group is something I would never have dreamed of, Neil Ieremia, founder of Black Grace has provided me personally with inspiration and direction.”

The time that the students have spent with Black Grace counts towards their industry experience of which students have to undertake 600 hours said Robati. “They must participate in a major body of work – these two students have certainly done this and had a fantastic experience at the same time.”

I am grateful of the opportunities that Whitireia and Black Grace have provided me with said Callum. “I have a passion for contemporary dance and the time I have spent with Black Grace has cemented this. This internship has provided me with opportunities I would never have thought possible.”

This has been a wonderful opportunity for these students said Pip Byrne, Associate Dean, Faculty of Arts, Whitireia. “We are extremely proud of Andy and Callum, their achievements with Black Grace and the way they have embraced this opportunity, this will set them up well for their performance careers.”

These students will also be part of the Whitireia Performing Arts tour to France in July where they will travel for six weeks performing Māori, Samoan, Cook Islands and New Zealand contemporary dance. Farewell performances are being held from 18 to 22 June, at the Whitireia Performance Centre, 25 Vivian Street, Wellington City. Tickets will be available for purchase through http://thetheatre.co.nz

ENDS

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