Paul Taylor and Richard Chen See

Former Paul Taylor Dance Company member Richard Chen See was guest tutor at the New Zealand School of Dance in 2009 and again in 2011.

Richard came from New York to teach Paul Taylor’s choreography for performance in the School’s Graduation Season. In 2009 Richard coached NZSD students in Taylor’s lyrical ballet Airs, and in 2011 his wartime themed Company B set to the songs of the Andrews Sisters.

“Taylor stands amongst the pantheon of American dance giants.” Dance Magazine (USA)

Richard Chen See danced for the Paul Taylor Dance Company for fifteen years (1993 – 2008). A Jamaican by birth, his early training was in ballet, modern and Afro-Caribbean folk forms. He began his professional career in 1978 dancing with companies such as Northern Ballet Theatre (England), Oakland Ballet (USA) and ODC/San Francisco (USA).

Richard Chen See’s 2011 visit to the New Zealand School of Dance was made possible with assistance from Fulbright New Zealand and the Embassy of the United States of America. During his time at the School an open rehearsal was held for the public and Richard was interviewed for Radio New Zealand.

Listen to the interview


Photo: Richard Chen See teaching ‘Airs’ at NZSD in 2009, photographed by Stephen A’Court
See more images at radionz.co.nz