News
Caleb Loader
Congratulations to Caleb Loader who has been reaccepted as a Classical Associate with the New Zealand School of Dance.
This is Caleb’s second year as an Associate.
Previously he was a Scholar from level 1 to 4 and has now decided to focus on the training offered by the Associates programme.
Mira Meijer
Congratulations to former WBDA student Mira Meijer, who has been reaccepted as a third year Classical student at the NewZealand School of Dance.
Billy Dufty
Billie, a former student of WBDA has returned to Chilton Ballet Academy to resume her full time dance studies.
Congratulations Billie!
Congratulations to ex-WBDA student Amelia Chandulal-Mackay, who has been offered and accepted a contract with Oklahoma City Ballet's Studio Company. Well done Amelia, and we look forward to hearing about your adventures in Oklahoma City!
November 2017
WBDA student achievement
A very big congratulations to Intermediate level student Mira Meijer (age 11), who auditioned for and has been accepted as a National Scholar at the New Zealand School of Dance. The Scholars programme is for a small, select, talented group of students to have further training at the NZSD. Students from all around New Zealand audition annually for this programme, and only those most suitable for classical ballet training are accepted. Well done Mira!
July 2017
Competitions
Congratulations to Trinity Taylor Moore who was placed 1st in her classical, 2nd in barefoot and 2nd in her variation at the Tauranga competitions 11 and under 15 years. Congratulations to Sophie Carver-Vitens for 3rd place 13 and under 15 years variation at the Kapiti competitions.
WBDA students travel & achievements
Brianna Aldridge & Trinity Taylor Moore enjoyed Auckland 'International Ballet Workshops' with the amazing Dusty Button, Principal Dancer with the Boston Ballet. Sophie Carver-Vitens travelled to Wellington to attend the NZSD Winter School. We look forward to hearing all about McDonald College International Summer School in Sydney, which Mira Meijer & Sophie Carver-Vitens are attending in January 2018.
Well done and congratulations to ex-WBDA student Amelia Chandulal-Mackay, who has been awarded a full fees scholarship to attend The Ailey School, official school of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in New York City. We look forward to hearing about Milly's adventures in NYC!
August 2016
RAD Vocational Exams
A huge congratulations to Trinity Taylor-Moore and Sophie Carver-Vitens who just sat their Intermediate Foundation exam in Wellington, at the NZSD recently.
Well done to Mikayla Baldwin and Annabel Mcmahon who also sat their Advanced Foundation Exam in Wellington.
You look beautiful girls!
July 2016
Our warmest congratulation to ex WBDA student Amelia Chandulal-Mackay, who has been offered and accepted a contract with Milwaukee Ballet II. "The Nancy Einhorn Milwaukee Ballet II Program (MBII) is a unique program designed to take excellent ballet students and transfer them into artists, ready for the professional world."Amelia will have the opportunity to perform with Milwaukee Ballet's Community Outreach Programme and with the main company during their 2016-17 season. We wish her all the very best in this next exciting stage of her career, and look forward to hearing about her experiences in Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA!
December 2015
Best wishes to Amelia Chandulal-Mackay, who is performing with the Orlando Ballet next week during their Christmas 'Nutcracker' season. Amelia will be performing with the Corps de Ballet in 'Spanish' for five of their seven performances, with the company being accompanied by the Orlando Orchestra. Good luck Amelia; we are thinking of you!November 2015
Congratulations to Annabel McMahon, who has been accepted as a classical Junior Associate with the NZ School of Dance. Annabel has also been re-accepted as a Level 4 National Scholar. Congratulations also to Trinity Taylor-Moore, who has been re-accepted as a Level 2 National Scholar with the NZ School of Dance. Well done, girls. We are very proud of you!September 2015
Congratulations to our Intermediate students who sat their R.A.D Intermediate Vocational exams in Wellington at the New Zealand School of Dance recently. You look beautiful girls!
July 2015
Congratulations to ex-WBDA student Amelia Chandulal-Mackay, who has been accepted as a trainee with the Orlando Ballet School in Florida. Amelia has been enjoying Summer School with OBS, and starts full-time training in August. Trainees have the opportunity to dance with the Orlando Ballet company at the wonderful Dr Phillips Performing Arts Centre in Orlando.February 2015
Well done to ex-WBDA student Amelia Chandulal-Mackay, who has been accepted as a Pre-Professional student at Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy in Sydney. Amelia has also been accepted for Summer Intensive programmes in June/July with Boston Ballet School, Joffrey Academy of Dance (Chicago) and Orlando Ballet School (on scholarship). Well done Amelia.Welcome home to Annabel McMahon, who has completed a week's Summer School with Ecole Ballet & Dance Theatre in Sydney.
December 2014
Congratulations to Trinity Taylor-Moore, who has been accepted as a Level 1 National Scholar with the NZ School of Dance. Well done Trinity - a great achievement.August 2014
Congratulations to Amelia Chandulal-Mackay, who has been offered a place at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York, and Annabel McMahon, who has been reaccepted as a Level 3 National Scholar at the NZ School of Dance.January 2014
Congratulations to Amelia Chandulal-Mackay, who has started full-time Classical Ballet training at Ecole Vocational in Sydney, Australia. We wish Amelia all the best for a very successful future.Congratulations also to Annabel McMahon for being reaccepted into the NZ School of Dance Scholars Programme. Annabel will be a Level 2 scholar in 2014.
Review of 'Peter Pan & Friends' -
Dec 2013 year-end performance
The following review was published in our local 'Midweek' newspaper (the reviewer was Joan Street):
Hooked by a Masterpiece
The Wanganui Ballet & Dance Academy’s presentation of Peter Pan was performed at Collegiate Auditorium last Saturday and Sunday – this fabulous entertainment should have run for a week and been compulsory viewing for all primary schoolers. We tend to neglect this special age group when it comes to Christmas theatre. This excellent adaptation of J M Barrie’s masterpiece gave us the magic of childhood and fairies and pirates and Captain Hook, while, at the same time, allowing each pupil of this school to shine.
Shine they did! Each child had a role, from the tinies to the oldest pupil. No one was out there just because they are studying dance. Though parents need to see their children perform at end of year, those of us who have no family connection with the dancers were able to see a first class story, retold in a first class way.
From the theatrical point of view, the whole tale sped along. Set, costumes and lighting were the result of imagination and expertise. Nobody flew and no crocodile crawled on stage, but we saw an upper class family – loved the strutting – Peter and Tinkerbell, the Lost Boys, pirates and Indians and, of course, Captain Hook, all brilliantly portrayed by dance. The choreography, and movement on and off the stage were stunning. Everyone knew their steps, everyone reached out to the audience with style and vigour. Touches of humour were well appreciated. The score was masterful and always suited the fast-moving scenes.
Connor Jenkins, as Peter, held his own among the many female dancers (oh, why do more young boys not acquire this athletic and theatrical skill?). All the lead characters were just as they should be. They strongly portrayed their own roles while interacting well with the other dancers. Of course I believe in fairies, especially as my favourite, Tinkerbell, was played by Amelia Chandulal-Mackay with joy, delicacy, fluidity and that extra something that makes a gifted dancer.
Rightly, the latter part of the afternoon was given over to five special performances. All were delightful. There is so much talent being developed here in Whanganui by Anna Chandulal. Her knowledge and dedication shine through.
I would also like to compliment Annabel McMahon on her dancing and the fact she attended special training in Wellington this year – an opportunity offered only to a few chosen 10 to 13 year olds throughout the country!
I hope I live long enough to see Amelia Chandulal-Mackay reach success and acclaim in her chosen profession. She is an outstanding dancer in her age group, a joy to watch and quite exceptional. She will begin full-time classical training next year at Ecole Ballet and Theatre School in Sydney. She is well on the way to the top. She has such commitment to this art. Her whole being, body and soul, dances. Thank you, Amelia, for the pleasure you give me when I watch you.
Congratulations to everyone involved. Whanganui has yet another reason to be proud of her own!