NAISDA Dance College enlisted the support of famed soprano, actor, composer, playwright and member of the Stolen Generations, Ms Deborah Cheetham AO, to celebrate the success of its students at their graduation ceremony on April 6.
As keynote speaker, Ms Cheetham addressed the latest cohort of graduating students, wishing them luck in their future careers and encouraging them to use their art to create change.
“In your life you will have the opportunity to change our nation,” she said.
Ms Cheetham said it was no coincidence that NAISDA was built on Darkinjung land, where its people have sung and danced their story for generations.
As one of eight elite national training organisations in the performing arts, NAISDA has enjoyed creating career opportunities for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who pass through its doors.
One graduating student, Mr Ryan Pearson, has accepted a fellowship with the acclaimed Bangarra Dance Theatre.
“Ryan will be performing with the company alongside some of the best dancers in the world and we can’t wait to see what fantastic new heights he reaches in his career,” said Mr Kim Walker, CEO of NAISDA Dance College.
“Many of our developing artists go on to enjoy great success in the arts and we are always excited to follow their journeys after they graduate from NAISDA,” he said.
In 2018, NAISDA will be expanding its curriculum to include four new qualifications and courses, aligned with cultural and industry perspectives.
“Our successes today are part of our long-term vision and commitment to expand our international training and curriculum, develop our infrastructure and provide opportunities for increasing numbers of developing artists, as we inspire them to become Australia’s next generation of cultural leaders,” Mr Walker said.
Source:
Media release,
Apr 11, 2017
Alison Orren, Brilliant Logic
Jasmine Gearie, journalist