News

Friday 10 June at 3:27 pm

NZDC ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO SENIOR TEAM

The Board of the New Zealand Dance Advancement Trust today announced Executive Creative Director Janine Dijkmeijer and Co-Artistic Director James O’Hara will leave the Company to pursue new opportunities in their home countries. Long-time, well-respected NZDC senior manager and dance artist Caroline Bindon has been appointed as Interim Chief Executive from July 1 and Tor Colombus will continue as Artistic Director.

Interim Board Chair Greg Innes congratulated Bindon on her appointment and acknowledged Dijkmeijer, O'Hara and Colombus for their resilience in stewarding the Company through the complex challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to build on the artistic and organisational legacy of the company.

Innes said, “Janine and James have been outstanding contributors in their time at the Company, and along with Tor have guided the artistic vision of the company through the incredibly difficult period that has been COVID-19.

Given the circumstances of the last two years, we understand and support Janine and James’ decisions to consider the call of home and family as an overriding priority as we re-emerge from this time of isolation.

Janine, James and Tor have succeeded in giving birth to an exciting new vision in the Company’s artistic programme for the next three years, which we look forward to delivering.”

O’Hara will leave Aotearoa New Zealand take up the role of Co-Director of STRUT Dance in his home town of Perth while maintaining engagement with NZDC over this period of transition into the 2023 year, ensuring the relationships established are nurtured and developed.

Dijkmeijer will continue to champion NZDC from her home base in the Netherlands.

The Board and staff at the NZDC wish Dijkmeijer and O'Hara every success for the future and are grateful for their commitment to the development of the Company's upcoming three-year programme.

The Company has a full schedule of performances and engagements for the remainder of 2022, next up is its season of Matariki for Tamariki in Auckland 22 June - 1 July and Northland 4 - 12 July.