NZSD Staff
The New Zealand School of Dance boasts an outstanding faculty of staff.
Regular guest tutors from around the world and specialists in yoga, dance history, anatomy and nutrition round out the holistic NZSD training.
Garry Trinder
Director
Born in England, Garry Trinder trained at the Royal Ballet School, Rambert School of Ballet and Maurice Bejart's MUDRA. As a dancer he worked with Scottish Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and London City Ballet. Garry's extensive career includes six years as artistic director of Hong Kong Ballet and two years as director of dance at South Africa's NAPAC Dance Company. He holds a master's degree from the Laban Centre (City University) and an Advanced Diploma in Education from Newcastle University. Garry was a member of the Artistic Committee of the Prix de Lausanne from 2006 - 2012. He regularly serves on the jury of international ballet competitions in New York and Asia and is an artistic adviser to West Australian Ballet. Garry has been director of the New Zealand School of Dance since January 1998.
CLASSICAL BALLET FACULTY
Christine Gunn
Classical Tutor and Head of Associates
Christine Gunn was born in South Africa to English parents. She attended Elmhurst Ballet School from the age of 13, then went on to the Royal Ballet School Teacher Training Course under the directorship of Valerie Adams. Christine spent six years in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, travelling extensively conducting workshops and refresher courses on the Art of Teaching. Christine performed with the Associacao do Ballet do Rio de Janeiro, becoming a soloist and later Ballet Mistress. Christine started as a full-time tutor at the New Zealand School of Dance in January 1980 and became head of the Associates Programme in 2001. Christine is also a Practical Teaching Supervisor for the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and was honoured with the RAD President's Award in 2004.
Edmund Stripe
Classical Tutor
Edmund Stripe joined the faculty of New Zealand School of Dance in 2011 from Alberta Ballet, Canada, where he spent nine seasons as Ballet Master. Born in Enfield, North London and trained at the Royal Ballet School, he was a soloist with Ballet Gulbenkian (Portugal) and principal dancer with London City Ballet. From 1987-1997, Edmund was principal dancer and choreographer with West Australian Ballet and was appointed ballet master there in 1998. In 2000, he was appointed ballet master of Singapore Dance Theatre, moving to Alberta Ballet in 2002. Edmund has assisted in the mounting and re-creation of works by such noted choreographers as Jiri Kylian, Nacho Duato, George Balanchine, Hans van Manen, Christopher Wheeldon, Jean Grand Maitre, Ted Brandsen, Agnes de Mille, Kirk Peterson and Natalie Weir among many others. An award-winning choreographer, he has created over 30 major works for international ballet companies including Alberta Ballet's $1.5 million dollar production of The Nutcracker. His most recent work includes the dance scenes for Calgary Opera's 2011 production of Aida.
Sarah Roe
Classical Tutor
Sarah Roe originally studied dance in Sydney with Lois Strike, Christine Keith and Kim Traynor before going to the Royal Ballet School in London. She was then invited to join the Royal Ballet Company with whom she toured throughout the UK and United States. Her performing career continued back in Australia with Darc Swan Dance Company, Opera Australia and the Australian touring cast of Phantom of the Opera for which she was also Assistant Choreographer in South Africa. A passion for teaching led her to complete the Australian Ballet School's Advanced Diploma of Teaching and receive RAD teacher registration. Sarah taught in Sydney at the McDonald College and Brent Street Studios before becoming a full time classical tutor at the New Zealand School of Dance in 2001. To complement her teaching, Sarah trained as a Pilates instructor with the PhysicalMind Institute of New York and has recently become a licensed GYROTONIC® Trainer. She currently combines teaching at the New Zealand School of Dance with running her own Pilates/GYROTONIC® studio.
Nadine Tyson
Classical Tutor
Nadine Tyson graduated from the New Zealand School of Dance in 1991. Nadine first worked with the Royal New Zealand ballet during her second year at the NZSD and was awarded a Shell Scholarship the following year. In 1995 she became a permanent member of the RNZB. In 1997 Nadine was named ECNZ young dancer of the year and used the award for a six week study tour in 2000 to visit leading companies in the USA and Europe including Rambert Dance Company, English National Ballet, Netherlands Dans Theatre, Dutch National Ballet and Bayeriches Staatsbalett. Nadine performed many principle roles during her time with the company. Career highlights include being coached by Janet Vernon for the lead in The Protecting Veil, Dinna Bjorn and Charles Mudry for Sylph in La Sylphide and Patricia Ruanne for the title role of Raymonda. Nadine Retired from the Royal New Zealand Ballet in 2004.
Sue Nicholls
Head of Scholars
CONTEMPORARY DANCE FACULTY
Paula Steeds-Huston
Head of Contemporary
Paula Steeds-Huston has spent 17 years as a freelance dancer, teacher and choreographer in Australia and New Zealand. She was a principal dancer with Missevich Youth Ballet in Christchurch, then joined Wellington-based contemporary company Footnote Dance for four years. Paula worked with acclaimed New Zealand choreographers including Michael Parmenter, Shona McCullagh and Douglas Wright. Since passing her Royal Academy of Dance Teachers Certificate with Distinction, Paula has taught contemporary technique, ballet and hip hop at workshops around New Zealand. She has directed and choreographed for Original Scripts Theatre Company, renowned for producing quality children’s theatre. Paula has also worked in film and television as a choreographer and performer, including Lord of the Rings, The Lost World, a promotional DVD for Cook Islands Tourism and several music videos.
Victoria Colombus
Contemporary Tutor
Victoria Colombus graduated from the New Zealand School of Dance in 2002. Since completing her training she has worked as a dancer, rehearsal director, teacher and artistic coordinator throughout Australasia and Europe. She has performed and toured with Black Grace dance company, Australian Dance Theatre, Michael Parmenter's Commotion Company and the World of WearableArts. In 2009 she worked as rehearsal director for Dance North on the creation of Nowhere Fast choreographed by Ross McCormack. She began teaching full time at the New Zealand School of Dance in 2010 and is the artistic coordinator for the students' annual choreographic seasons. She has created works for Tempo Festival in Auckland and Footnote Dance company, and has worked as assistant to artistic director Malia Johnson on the World of WearableArt show.
Helen Winchester
Contemporary Tutor
Helen Winchester has been involved with the professional dance industry for nearly 20 years. After graduating from the New Zealand School of Dance in 1987, she embarked on a career in dance, performing with companies such as Michael Parmenter's Commotion Company, Douglas Wright and Dancers, Eric Languet and Dancers, Mary-Jane O'Reilly and Dancers and Paul Jenden’s Macleary Theatre Productions. Helen has also held tutoring positions with numerous dance companies and in educational institutions including Footnote Dance Company, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, TasDance, Whitireia and Unitec.
Sarah Foster
Contemporary Tutor
Ursula Robb
Contemporary Tutor
GUEST TEACHERS
The New Zealand School of Dance is visited by a number guest teachers each year. Recent guest teachers include:
2013
Pablo Aharonian, Ballet de Santiago
Stephen Beagley, former Principal The Royal Ballet
Peter Boyes, former Associate Director Royal New Zealand Ballet
Wim Broeckx, former Artistic President Prix de Lausanne
Jo Funaki, former dancer Royal New Zealand Ballet
Qi Huan, Principal Royal New Zealand Ballet
Martin James, former Principal and Ballet Master The Royal Danish Ballet
Michael Parmenter, Commotion Company
Matz Skoog, Artistic Advisor Royal Swedish Ballet
Ethan Stiefel, Artistic Director Royal New Zealand Ballet
Yu Takayama, former Principal Royal New Zealand Ballet and Leading Artist West Australian Ballet
Lynn Wallis, Artistic Director Royal Academy of Dance
2012
Daniel Belton, Good Company
Peter Boyes, former Associate Director Royal New Zealand Ballet
Wim Broeckx, former Artistic President Prix de Lausanne
Darcey Bussell CBE, former Principal The Royal Ballet
Li Cunxin, Artistic Director Queensland Ballet
Amy Hollingsworth, Sydney Dance Company
Qi Huan, Principal Royal New Zealand Ballet
Malia Johnston, World of WearableArt and Rifleman Productions
Ross McCormack, Les Ballets C de la B
Patricia Ruanne and Ric Werner, Rudolf Nureyev Foundation
Janek Schergen, Artistic Director Singapore Dance Theatre
Matz Skoog, Artistic Advisor Royal Swedish Ballet
Lynn Wallis, Artistic Director Royal Academy of Dance
Diana White, Associate The George Balanchine Trust
ALLIED SUBJECTS
Anatomy/Fitness Foundation - Haidee Clark (Weltec)
Dance Studies - Jo Thorpe, BA Dip. Teaching MA
Music - Karen Beggs BA BMus
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Sports Medicine - Dr. Kevin Bell, Dr. Steve Targett MBChB, FACSP, Dip. Sports Med, DRCOG.DCH
Osteopath - Matthew Cooper ND, DO (UK)
Sports Dietician - Celine Evans
Yoga Instructor - Scott Milham, Dip. Dance Perf.
Personal Trainer - Sarah Prosser
Physiotherapists - Jane Woolley, Nicola Lynch, Susan Simpson DipPhys, NZRPT
Pilates - Alison Townsend, Catherine Eddy, Alayna Ng
ACCOMPANISTS - Fulltime
Phillip O'Malley
Craig Newsome
ACCOMPANISTS - Part time
Andreas Lepper
Irina Bitossi
Irina Kouzminova
Sue Alexander
Carey McDonald
ADMINISTRATION
Business Manager – Jenny Ang
Marketing Manager – Celia Jenkins
Development Officer - Katie Martin
Pastoral Care Manager – Sue Tuck
Dance Administrator – Eleonora Sparagna
Accounts Administrator - Moira Broughton
PA to the Director - Janina Panizza
Venue Manager – Priscilla Gough
Librarians – Kris Wehipeihana, Virginia Earle
New Zealand School of Dance photography by Stephen A'Court
New Zealand School of Dance Board of Trustees
John Avery
John Avery is a fulltime director having being a commercial lawyer for 35 years. He has held directorships across a wide spectrum from listed entities to start ups and not for profits in a range of industries including retailing, contracting and the leisure sectors. Current directorships include The New Zealand Guardian Trust Company Ltd, Fund Managers Auckland Ltd, Signify Ltd, Regional Facilities Auckland Ltd, Spider Tracks Ltd and The New Zealand School of Dance. Former directorships include The Warehouse Group Limited, Independent Timber Merchants Ltd, Snowplanet Ltd and The Royal New Zealand Ballet. John is a former longstanding partner in law firm Hesketh Henry including tenures as both Managing Partner and Chairman. He also served as Chairman of umbrella organisation The Lawlink Group Ltd.
Russell Ballard – Chair
Russell Ballard is an independent director with accreditation from both the NZ and UK Institutes of Directors. He is currently Chancellor of Massey University. Other directorships include TeamTalk Ltd, Zealandia, Crown Forest Rental Trust and the Plant Market Access Council. Previously he has been chairman of The Forest Research institute Ltd (Scion) and Timberlands West Coast Ltd and Deputy Chairman of The Correspondence School. Russ is the former Chief Executive of five Government departments; Ministry of Forestry, Department of Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Land Information New Zealand and Child Youth and Family Services. In 2004, Russ was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the public.
Les Holborow
Les Holborow was Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University from 1985-98. During this time he twice served as the Chair of the NZ Vice-Chancellors' Committee and representative on the Council of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. He chaired the Board of the NZ Universities Academic Audit Unit from 2004-9. He is currently a Senior Fellow in the Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University. He is a past National President of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, and also served as Queensland State President of the Australian Institute. He studied at the Universities of Auckland and Oxford and taught philosophy at Auckland, Dundee and Queensland. He was an Assistant Editor of The Philosophical Quarterly, and is currently a member of the Standing Committee of the New Zealand Institute and of the New Zealand Committee for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific. Involvements in arts organizations have included membership of the National Board of Musica Viva Australia, the Boards of Chamber Music New Zealand and of the New Zealand String Quartet, Chair of the Lilburn Residence Trust and chair of the Wellington Branch of the Wagner Society of New Zealand.
Mary Lewis
Mary Lewis is a qualified chartered accountant and an accredited coach of the international system of open book management – the Great Game of Business. She is an experienced coach and facilitator in her own business www.innovationnewzealand.co.nz and has worked alongside owners of businesses in New Zealand and internationally for over 20 years. She has in depth experience in management consultancy, change management, innovation systems financial management and audit. Mary was a member of the Wellington branch committee of the Institute of Directors (2009-2013) and contributed significantly to their diversity initiative. She is currently a member of the First Boards committee. Mary has held leadership positions in the community covering organisation, coaching and fundraising in Wellington cricket, schools and kindergartens.
Sue Paterson
Sue Paterson joined the New Zealand International Arts Festival as Executive Director, in February 2009 having previously been General Manager, Marketing and Communications for the Department of Conservation. Sue's career in the arts has included time as General Manager of the Royal New Zealand Ballet (1999 to 2006), General Manager of Limbs Dance Company (1979–1986), Dance Programme Manager for the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council (1990–1994), and Marketing Director for the 1996 and 1998 New Zealand Festivals. In 2004, Sue received an Order of New Zealand Merit for services to ballet.
Penelope Ryder-Lewis
Penelope Ryder-Lewis is the principal of Bartlett Law, in Wellington. She has worked as a lawyer for 20 years. Born in Lower Hutt, like all little girls forced into ballet at 6, she initially hated it. However she found her love for dance at the age of 19 and she still attends ballet classes several times a week. A Board member since 2004, she has a special interest in the continued development of the School as one offering qualifications to degree level and international standards. She is married to Hugh, a former chair of the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
Alex Sutherland
Alex Sutherland is an independent facilitator and management coach. His company, Lines of Sight assists leaders, teams and organisations implement strategies to realise their full potential and to operate effectively. Watching an early performance by Limbs Dance Company sparked an ongoing fascination with and appreciation of contemporary dance and, later, ballet. Over recent years he has been a trustee of the Fringe Arts Trust and Footnote Dance Company. He also works closely with the team at Dance Aotearoa New Zealand. Becoming a trustee of the New Zealand School of Dance follows three years of informal involvement with the Director and Board.
Olivia Berrell (student representative)
Professional Advisory Panel
The Professional Advisory Panel is a discussion forum to evaluate the professional standards of the New Zealand School of Dance.
Bronwyn Bennett (external member)
Les Holborow (chair)
Malia Johnston (external member)
Peta Spooner (external member)
Paula Steeds-Huston (staff representative)
Ethan Stiefel (Royal New Zealand Ballet representative)
Garry Trinder (staff representative)
Isabella Wilson (student representative)