DANZNorthern Dance Network
Jacqui Cesan
The beginnings of the network had its origins in the 1960s and consisted of a small group of prominent ballet teachers getting together with the intention to advance the cause of dance. Although individual modern dance practitioners had migrated to or set up in New Zealand, their work was little known, and initially were not part of the group. However, by the end of that decade modern dance was represented when a number joined the ballet-teacher group and this was named the Northern Dance Association.
By the mid-1970s membership grew and most sectors of dance were represented.
The key event historically for DANZ was the Flock House Conference at Bulls in 1992. The Northern Dance Association became the Northern Dance Network (NDN) and continued to work to support dance in the northern region. In April 1993, after receiving a small grant from the Northern Regional Arts Council, it began a small printed publication DanceNet, edited by Briar Wilson. The Northern Dance Network was officially incorporated in December 1998 and Sonja Bright unanimously elected as president.
Read the full article (Iss.34) Northern Dance Network