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Press Release: NZ Ballet Principal & artist, Martin James becomes Patron of bbodance Australasia


Jan McNulty

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PRESS RELEASE

 

For immediate release — 2/12/2019

 

 

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Photos courtesy of Martin James

 

New Zealand Ballet Principal & graphic artist,
Martin James 
becomes Patron of bbodance Australasia

 

Former Principal of Royal New Zealand Ballet, English National Ballet, and Royal Danish Ballet, Martin James has today become Patron of bbodance Australasia, the main international presence of bbodance, which celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2020. 

Joining former Royal Ballet First Soloist and Principal Guest Artist, Gillian Revie, who is also a Patron of the organisation, Mr James' primary role will be to support bbodance events in Australasia and the development of the organisation's presence in the region.

Mr James attended bbodance's flagship event for students and teachers in the Southern Hemisphere, Dance Days, at the Sydney Gala Concert earlier this summer, and presented the major awards alongside Ms Revie.

"It's wonderful to have been asked to become a bbodance Patron; between New Zealand and Australia, Gilly Revie and I shall help this wonderful organisation achieve recognition and exchange ideas in every way we are able! I look forward to engaging with bbodance and its team, who work tirelessly to support their members around the world," Martin James said.

"Martin was trained in New Zealand and, following a fantastic international career, especially in Europe, has now returned to coach and shape young talent in the Southern Hemisphere. He was an obvious choice for us to support our members and growth in Australia and New Zealand," added bbodance CEO, Robin Bloor.

bbodance Australasia is currently preparing for a special edition of Dance Days, which will celebrate the 90th year of bbodance in Sydney and Christchurch in July 2020.

– ENDS –
 

About Martin James

Born in Christchurch, Martin James graduated from the New Zealand School of Dance and was Principal Dancer with Royal New Zealand Ballet, English National Ballet, Deutsche Oper Ballet, and Royal Danish Ballet. During his years with the company, Martin received a medal from Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark for his contribution to ballet and dance. Currently, Martin is a freelance Guest Teacher and Ballet Master with major European companies and regularly coaches at the New Zealand School of Dance and Royal New Zealand Ballet. Martin has also been an adjudicator and host for New Zealand's largest Ballet competition, the Alana Haines Australasian Awards, and is a celebrated painter and graphic artist. Martin intends to mount his first showing in Australia when time permits.
 

About bbodance

Founded in 1930 by Edouard Espinosa and formerly known as the British Ballet Organization (the BBO), bbodance is an international dance awarding organisation with a large membership in the UK and Australasia. bbodance provides Ofqual-recognised syllabi in Musical Theatre, Jazz, Contemporary, Classical Ballet, Modern, and Tap. bbodance also provides comprehensive dance teacher training for Levels 4 to 6, as well as a diverse programme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions for dance teachers and inspiring events for students. bbodance Patrons include Dancing with the Stars Judge, Craig Revel Horwood, former Artistic Director of Rambert, Mark Baldwin OBE, and BRB Principal, Brandon Lawrence.

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