Creative ID: 112
West Coast. I live near Greymouth, so anything that is within reasonable day driving distance (Westport to Fox Glacier and Reefton).
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
I am a secondary school dance teacher at a high school, who also delivers workshops to primary-aged children. My main expertise is creative movement and exploring choreography, but have experience in all performing arts and musical theatre. I am willing to design and work with school programmes to increase the performing arts on the West Coast, and I'm willing to travel. I am also willing to build partnerships with my senior dance students and primary schools.
My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner with
- Choreographed a musical performed by a performing arts company 2018.
- Multiple choreography examples for secondary students for public performance 2013–ongoing.
- Dance workshops for primary-aged students 2018–ongoing.
- Qualified teacher in New Zealand since 2013, previously in Australia and England since 2005.
- Masters of Dance 2011.
- Performed Baxter Dance Festival 2011.
- Studio Dance teacher 2018–ongoing.
- Accomplished at putting on school performances and workshops, doing lighting, sound, props, costume, makeup, backstage management.
- Vast Dance Festival workshop presenter (2017) and participant school teacher (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019).
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
Multiple workshops with school-aged people delivering movement and choreography experiences both in Greymouth and Nelson for both schools, and cross-school organisations (e.g., Vast Dance Festival). I teach secondary school dance, so have experience of curriculum and key competency requirements and how they can be expressed through movement. Workshops and projects include concepts/agendas such as: mask and movement; emotions; war; contact improvisation; partnering; introducing dance elements and choreographic principles. All were tailored to student and organisation needs and requirements. Most resulted in public performances of work developed during workshops.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
My aim is to increase the performing arts experiences for people on the Coast. As schools have limited resources for dance, this programme will allow them to engage a widely experienced dance teacher to help the school deliver the expected practice for dance in primary schools in their arts curriculum, without employing them full or part time. It will allow the school to deliver a meaningful opportunity in the performing arts which aligns with their programme and curriculum at a time which suits them.