Coming soon: RECIPIENT 2024
RECIPIENT 2023 – NGAERE JENKINS
Born in Aotearoa/New Zealand, Ngaere is of Te Arawa and Ngāti Kahungunu descent. She trained at the New Zealand School of Dance, graduating in 2018. During her studies, she worked with influential mentors including James O’Hara, Victoria (Tor) Colombus, Taiaroa Royal and Tanemahuta Gray. She performed works by Damien Jalet, Huang Yi, Sarah Foster-Sproull, Malia Johnston and Gabby Thomas. Ngaere represented the school as a guest artist in Tahiti at the Académie de Danse Annie FAYN fifth International Dance Festival and Singapore Ballet Academy’s 60th Anniversary Gala.
From 2019 – 2023 Ngaere worked full-time with The New Zealand Dance Company performing in Matariki for Tamariki (Sean MacDonald); This Fragile Planet (Nina Nawalowalo, Tom McCrory & Ross McCormack), What They Said (Jo Lloyd), If Never Was Now (Stephanie Lake), Sigan (Kim Jae Duk), The Fibonacci (Tor Colombus), Uku(Eddie Elliott) and Stage of Being (Xin Ji & Tupua Tigafua). She has had the privilege of performing in Mana Wahine by Ōkāreka Dance Company, working with Atamira Dance Company and being immersed in rich movement amongst the dance community of Aotearoa. In 2023, Ngaere was the recipient of the Bill Sheats Dance Award.
Ngaere joined Sydney Dance Company in October 2023, debuting in the tenth anniversary season of New Breed.
RECIPIENT 2022 – TABITHA DOMBROSKI
Tabitha Dombroski completed their full-time training in 2019 with The John Cranko School in Germany after receiving their certificate in dance at The New Zealand School of Dance. In their time training she fell in love with choreography and coaching. Choreographing over 10 solos being performed in Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, USA and Ukraine. Also, the first student in 10 years to have 3 of their own works performed at the gala on the Stuttgart Opera House stage.
After graduating they worked in Switzerland with Swiss Offspring Ballet, until COVID-19 brought them home. Since then, they have had the greatest pleasure in joining Ballet Collective Aotearoa, Primarily Dance, LO|CO arts, choreographing for The New Zealand School of Dance and teaching full time at En Pointe Dance Academy, starting her freelance journey. Tabitha is also currently studying a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
They are currently working on restating Sublime Interludes, which won the ‘Momentous Movement award’ and was nominated for best in Fringe, choreographing for an Opera in August and Classical Collab’s new season. Later in the year Ballet Collective Aotearoa’s ‘Subtle Dances’ will return for a smalls tour and they will premiere a work of Loughlan Prior’s at Tempo Dance Festival.
RECIPIENT 2021 – KIT REILLY
“Kit is powerful and employable with sleek technical proficiency and highest level achievement.”
“Chris Jannides – NZSD Solo’s season review”
