Alana Haines Australasian Awards attract star talent

 

The biennial Alana Haines Australasian Awards continue to attract a huge number of entries each time they are held. For this year's event, 560 entered within the first 48 hours of the call for applications in August. That figure has now narrowed to just over 500, with 330 from Australia.

The AHAs are held over Easter in Wellington, New Zealand, and provide a comprehensive program of classes and competition, culminating in a gala performance.

This year's illustrious jury comprises Lisa Pavane, Director of the Australian Ballet School;
Terrence Etheridge, Resident choreographer for Dutchy Ballet, UK; Leslie Hughes, resident tutor at Hamburg Ballet; and Stefane Leonard, Aspirant Program Director at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, Canada.

The tutors include Anne Gare and Vinencio Samblaceno, former Royal New Zealand Ballet principal; and Peter Boyes, Former Assistant Director of the Royal NZ Ballet and Maggiiodanza Italy.

Competitors receive scholarships to an array of dance institutions from around the world.

This year's gala performance will feature as guest artists former AHA award winners Tynan Wood and Ariana Hond (now in the Melbourne City Ballet), Harrison Lee (now in the Royal Ballet School), Aaron Matheson and Chloe Page Young (in a duo choreographed by former AHA winner Shayarne Matheson), Julianne Ramsay (Around the World in 80 Days international ballet TV series) and Catherine Grange and Ross Skelton (from the Royal New Zealand Ballet).

The awards will be held from Thursday 13 to Monday 17 April at the St James Theatre. http://www.ahaawards.co.nz/

Pictured: Aaron Matheson and Chloe Paige Young.