RECIPIENT 2025: HAHNA NICHOLS
Hahna Nichols, a dancer of Māori (Kai Tahu) and Chinese descent, was born in Aotearoa/New Zealand. She completed her intensive three-year training at the New Zealand School of Dance, graduating in 2021 with a Diploma in Dance Performance (Level 7), specialising in contemporary dance. In recognition of her talent and dedication, Hahna was awarded the NZSD Foundation Scholarship, which fully covered her tuition in her final year.
During her training, Hahna contributed to choreographic works such as Collection Saturday, a collaborative exploration of memory and identity with Max Burgess, showcased at PlayStation in Wellington, NZ. She also co-created Ngā Wāhine Whenua with Emily Calvert, a reflection on the experience of being wāhine in Aotearoa, which was presented at the Pacific Dance Festival in Auckland.
After graduating, Hahna performed in Undoing (2022), a production by Eliza Sanders and House of Sand. She also collaborated with Hone Kouka and Tawata Productions on Ngā Rorirori (2022), performing as both an actor and dancer. Her performance highlights include Whairepo Lagoon (2021) by Malia Johnston, Reddy Nelken (2021) by Eliza Sanders, World of Wearable Arts (Pre-show performance) (2022) directed by Anita Hunziker, and Commentary Of Dreaming (2025) by Jeremy Beck.
Currently, Hahna is immersing herself in the Berlin arts scene. Her first work as a dancer since relocating to Germany is HERTZ, Die Welt ist Schwingung, a performance by Laura Heinecke, which toured throughout the Brandenburg area in 2024 and will continue in 2025. Hahna is also collaborating with Caspar Ilschner on a new work that will be brought to New Zealand in 2026.
She is delighted to be the recipient of the Bill Sheat Dance Award in 2025.
RECIPIENT 2024 – ZOE WHITE
(Photos and a blurb coming soon)
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”
