Past International Summer Schools
2008 - 6th International Summer School >
2004 - 5th International Summer School >
1999 - 4th International Summer School >
1994 - 3rd International Summer School >
1989 - 2nd International Summer School >
1984 - 1st International Summer School >
Past Summer School Slideshow >
2008 - 6th International Summer School
Vocational level students attended a 2-week Performance Course of Classical Ballet, Repertoire, Contemporary, Musical Theatre and Jazz classes which culminated in two wonderful performances. Grades level students attended a 1-week course of Classical Ballet, Musical Theatre and Jazz classes, and enjoyed Mime and Mask; Circus and Percussion workshops as well as a trip to visit the St James Theatre and Royal NZ Ballet. Teachers enjoyed 2 weeks of stimulating courses.
FACULTY:
Lynn Wallis (Artistic Director), Denise Skinner, Justine Berry, Liz Kinley, Matz Skoog, Shani Mitchell, Sue Goodman, Valerie Sunderland, Andreas Lepper, Sir Jon Trimmer, Peter Boyes, Sue Nicholls.
COMMENTS:Sophie Arbuckle – Summer School participant
I liked the circus skills best and percussion and makeup and mime, and musical theatre and jazz and ballet! In fact, I loved it all. Highlights were climbing the tissue in circus and the trapeze. Doing jazz for the first time. Can’t wait for the next one.
Julia Robinson – Performance Course participant
The two weeks I spent in Wellington with the RAD were possibly the best two weeks of my life! The highlight for me was definitely the two performances. We had so much fun dancing in the best show in Wellington! I gained more than just knowledge from the Summer School. I gained experience, confidence and friends. I really enjoyed making new friends and sharing their passion for dancing. I can’t wait until the next time the Summer School comes to New Zealand!
Karyn Drummond – Parent
Thank you so much for organizing such a fantastic RAD Summer School. My daughter, Breana (age 7), learnt so much and has come away even more (who would have thought it possible?) passionate about dance. All of your tutors were amazing, both in their technique and manner. I loved watching Breana on her final Saturday, to see what she’d been up to throughout her week. I was amazed at how very quickly the children had picked up things they’d never attempted before. We will, without a doubt, be seeing you in another 4 years.
2008 International Summer School Performance Programme (198 KB)
2004 - 5th International Summer School
Vocational level students attended a 2-week Performance Course of Classical Ballet, Repertoire, Contemporary, and Choreography classes which culminated in a wonderful performance. Grades level students attended a 1-week course of Classical Ballet, Creative Dance and Group Dance classes, and enjoyed Mime and Mask; Repertoire workshops as well as a trip to visit Capital E and to the St James Theatre and Royal NZ Ballet. Teachers enjoyed 2 weeks of stimulating courses.
FACULTY:
Lynn Wallis (Artistic Director), Patricia Linton, Valerie Aitken, Paula Steeds, Deirdre Tarrant, Peter Boyes, Sue Goodman, Carl Myers, Jill Firth, Paula Hunt, Sue Nicholls, Katie Haines
COMMENT:
Nicola Forrest-McLernon – Parent
We were blown away by the concert – so simple, no props, superb accompanists and the participants obviously were having a ball. Our thanks to all who organized the Summer School and provided Isabel with such an inspiring opportunity. It was great that dancers of all abilities were able to attend rather than just the best.
2004 International Summer School Performance Programme (198 KB)
1999 - 4th International Summer School
Major Students attended Classical, Jazz, Benesh, Anatomy, Pointe Work Character Repertoire and Contemporary classes. Grades students attended 1-week courses comprising classes in Classical, Percussion, Character, Jazz and Group Dance. Teachers’ Courses were held concurrently.
FACULTY:
Lynn Wallis (Artistic Director), Sherilyn Kennedy, Tina Stuart, Moira McCormack, Shona McCullagh, Joy Ransley, Carl Myers, Barbara Warren-Smith, Andreas Lepper, Matz Skoog, Peter Boyes, Michael Brett, Deirdre Tarrant, Paula Hunt, Robyn Charlton-Kelly
COMMENTS:
Elizabeth Chivers – Grades Course participant
I really enjoyed taking part in all the dancing activities and it was fun doing some of the different things such as group dances and percussion. I learnt a lot by the experience and I especially like the Character classes with Joy Ransley. We learnt some cool moves in Jazz and made some awesome sounds in percussion. It was great meeting people from lots of different places and making new friends. It was very exciting for me to meet Lynn Wallis, Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Dance from England and other International Tutors.
Maia Russell – Majors Course participant
The 1999 International Summer School, held at the (awesome) Te Whaea Dance Centre in Wellington was undoubtedly one of the best ballet seminars that I have attended. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy and learn heaps from the excellent classes and tutors (especially Matz Skoog, Sherilyn Kennedy and Carl Myers) I was also able to meet loads of really friendly people (from all over New Zealand) and was able to see what a fun and beautiful city Wellington was.
1994 - 3rd International Summer School
Major Students attended Contemporary, Character, Classical, Jazz and Repertoire classes. Grades students attended 1-week courses comprising classes in Classical, Group Dance, Creative Movement, Music, and Character. Teachers’ Courses were held concurrently.
FACULTY:
Pamela May (Artistic Director), John Byrne, Hilary Cartwright, Jacqueline Ferguson, Lynnette Kelley, Valerie Sunderland, Barbara Morrison, Robyn Hick, Hope Keelan, Arlene Erb, Rhian Robbins, Eli Gray-Smith, Dawn Sanders, Teresa Keast, Ou Lu, Ann Dewey, Carole Speirs, Paula Hunt
1989 - 2nd International Summer School
120 students aged 10-19 attended Classical, Character, Repertoire, Virtuosity and Advanced Syllabus classes. A highlight of this Summer School was a visit from skaters Torvill and Dean.
FACULTY:
Julia Farron,(Artistic Director), Shirley Grahame, David Wall, Susan Cooper, Joahne O’Hara, Valerie Sunderland, Alfreda Thorogood, Noreen Chisholm
COMMENT:
Julia Farron, Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Dancing: The students get a great deal out of it – they are working with very professional people, receiving tuition from expert teachers, which is important at this level. It gives them a polish and an idea of what it is like out there in the big world.”
1984 - 1st International Summer School
The International Summer School was held for the first time in New Zealand – in Wellington - in 1984. The NZ National Administrator, Shirley Baker, organised the exciting event, and the Artistic Director of the then Royal Academy of Dancing, Miss Julia Farron, supervised the final arrangements. More than 70 dance teachers and 90 students from all parts of the country participated in the event which began with auditions and ended with a stunning performance. Eight studios from around Wellington were used during the Summer School. The London-based Royal Academy sent 10 tutors and its musical director to New Zealand to tutor classes in Contemporary, Free Class, Virtuosity, Rep/Solos and Production. Teachers attended 2 weeks of stimulating courses.
FACULTY:
Julia Farron,(Artistic Director), Maryon Lane, Brenda Last, Anne Heaton, Alfleda Thorogood, Sara Neil, David Wall, Valerie Sunderland, Marilyn Walliams, Joyce Butler, Graham Dickson-Place
COMMENT:
Julia Farron, Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Dancing: “The New Zealand response to the Royal Academy of Dancing’s International Summer School has been marvellous