MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

24 MARCH 2009









Kiwi dance showcased in French Polynesia



Two New Zealand School of Dance students have been invited to perform in
Tahiti next month.



Emmi Coupe and Florian Teatiu will perform in two gala performances at
Papeete's Cultural Centre alongside Tahitian performers from dance
academy L'Ecole de Danse Annie Fayn. This is the fourth such visit NZSD
has made to Tahiti since 2005, as part of its professional relationship
with school director Annie Fayn.



"It's vital that we maintain and build on our strategic ties within the
Pacific" says NZSD Director Garry Trinder. "This initiative was forged
several years ago by former NZSD Associate Director Wendy Wallace and we
are delighted that the relationship with L'Ecole de Danse Annie Fayn
continues today. These ongoing visits to Tahiti showcase our dancers and
choreography internationally whilst potentially attracting more French
Polynesian students to train at the New Zealand School of Dance."



Florian Teatiu is a former student at L'Ecole de Danse Annie Fayn, and
is now studying at the New Zealand School of Dance as a result of the
2005 visit. He is now in his third and final year at NZSD, majoring in
contemporary dance.



"Going back to Tahiti is a great opportunity for me to share the
knowledge I have gained over the last three years at the New Zealand
School of Dance," says Florian. "I will be able to show the dancers and
the general public in Tahiti that dancing can be a real career."



Emmi Coupe is a classical ballet student at the New Zealand School of
Dance and is currently in her second year of training. She is also
excited about the chance to present New Zealand dance internationally.



Three starkly different works will be presented in Tahiti, displaying
the range of choreography and the quality of training available in New
Zealand.



Shona McCullagh's work Love is a highly sculptural contemporary duet,
performed to music by Georgy Sviridov. This piece will be performed
alongside a new neo-classical duet danced to music by George Gershwin,
which has been created by former Royal NZ Ballet dancer Anne Anderson.
Florian will also perform a poignant solo choreographed by Michael
Parmenter, called Rhapsody.



Head of Contemporary Dance at NZSD, Tiina Alinen, will accompany the
students to Tahiti. "We're very proud to present New Zealand
choreographers internationally, particularly ones of this calibre. This
visit will also provide us the opportunity to see what the dance
community in Tahiti is creating."





Ends.



Photo caption: New Zealand School of Dance students Emmi Coupe and
Florian Teatiu will travel to Tahiti next month to perform three kiwi
dance works.



Photo credit: Stephen A'Court





For media enquiries, please contact:





Rebecca Galloway

Marketing Manager

New Zealand School of Dance

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rebecca.galloway@nzschdance.org.nz
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http://www.nzschoolofdance.co.nz <http://www.nzschoolofdance.co.nz>

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