Introduced by the Kokomai Festival representative as the “hotbed for New Zealand dancers”, the New Zealand School of Dance programme for Kokomai Festival delivers fully. It is a varied programme of ten dance pieces, some very short, others longer, spanning classical ballet, contemporary classical and contemporary dance. It is tailored to show the student dancers’ accomplishments and also provides an interesting mix of dance styles, ideal for a very mixed and full audience.

The opening work of seven parts, “Meistens Mozart”, choreographed by Heli Tomassen to difficult classical choral music, is reminiscent of pagan European spring and summer festivals where young people play, meet and discover love. The work has a delicacy and innocence which well suits the young dancers. Emma-Rose Barrowclough, Jaidyn Cumming, Alice Su, Jack Whiter, Saul Newport and Song Teng are all well in control of the contemporary ballet technique all show beautifully executed and sustained dance.

“Aria,” a solo choreographed by Val Caniparoli, is danced by Jack Whiter, and though relatively serious, also fascinates the very young in the audience as he cleverly unmasks and masks throughout the piece. The classical pieces, solos, duets and trios, are all challenging and difficult – covering repertoire work by Petipa, Saint-Leon and McMillan, plus “Voorben” choreographed by the School’s Director, Garry Trinder. The young dancers meet the challenge admirably, with some excellent elevation and precise work from the young male dancers. These dances and dancers would be a great inspiration for the young ballet studio dancers in the audience.

The two standout pieces for me are the two contemporary dance pieces. “Midlight”, with choreography by Christina Chan with Aymeric Bichon, is set to beautiful eastern doudouk music from Lévon Minassian. The dancers, Georgia Van Gils and Toa Paranihi, move as one. Sometimes in conflict, sometimes in harmony, they metamorphose into different celestial beings. They share lifts and weight equally as they roll, rotate and orbit around the stage, sometimes sphinx-like, then perhaps an ancient boat gliding down the Euphrates. This is a mesmerising piece, beautifully executed and the audience clearly love it.

The second contemporary work is the finale, leaving us all on a high. “On the Spot” directed by Victoria Colombus, with a mix of up-beat music edited by Jack Jenkins, is performed by the 2^nd year contemporary majors. Their well-developed contemporary technique, clear precision, individual styles and strong ensemble sense is demonstrated as they form and reform, dance to each other and to us. Juxtaposition of tempo, lovely rolling group images and growing energy take us from introspective to full auditorium communication. In the words of the young girl sitting in front of me “that is sooooo good!”

The inclusion of a New Zealand School of Dance programme in the Festival is an inspired choice. The range of dance provides a great way for our audiences to be introduced to the variety of performance dance and is a good precursor to performances next week from Java Dance Company and Footnote New Zealand Dance. In addition, we hope that young people will be inspired to learn dance and their parents and grandparents see how good the training is.

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