Company Z Dance Trust

Dancers that have participated in performances

Benny Ord: Benny was born in Auckland and began dancing at the age of 21 after originally studying Art History. On the completion of his dance studies at the University of Auckland and then City Ballet, Benny joined Company Z in 2006. From 2007 to mid-2008 Benny lived in the UK where he worked with Michael Clark Company and The Curve Foundation.
He is currently dancing with Royal New Zealand Ballet.
Estelle Vermeulen: Born in South Africa and started dancing at the age of 5. Attended the Pretoria-based Art and Ballet school and joined the State Theatre Ballet company's graduate programme in 2000. Joined the South African Ballet Theatre in 2001. Performed as a principal ad-hoc and guest artist for various groups, including the Tshwane Youth Dance Company, before moving to New Zealand in August 2005.
Izumi Yoshizawa-Griffiths
Simon Pointon: New Zealand born Simon trained at the Australian Ballet School in Melbourne and later became an artist of the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
Britt Carter: Britt danced with Company Z Dance from 2006 to 2008.
Caroline Gray: Caroline was born in Zurich, Switzerland and began dancing from an early age. After immigrating to New Zealand in 1994, her childhood years were spent dancing on Auckland's North Shore. Caroline began her full time studies at the New Zealand School of Dance in 2006 and graduated, after performing in the 40th Anniversary Graduation Season, with a National Certificate in Dance Performance.
She joins companyzdance in 2008 to dance under the direction of Timothy Gordon, while completing her Bachelor of Dance at AUT. Caroline is also a dancer with the AUT University Dance Collective.
Shanelle Lenehan
Sophia Kalogeropoulou: Sophia was born in Lamia, Greece, and started dancing at the age of nine. She completed her Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate in 1997 and became Principal of Point the Way Ballet School in Woodford, London. She moved to Auckland in 2002 and studied for the BPerfArts Dance Major at the University of Auckland and then the Diploma of Advanced Ballet at City Ballet, under the course direction of Timothy Gordon. Her first performance in New Zealand was Spartacus, choreographed by Mary Jane O'Reilly, followed by other repertoire by Timothy Gordon and Mary Jane O'Reilly.
Sabrina Mandrawata: Sabrina danced with Company Z until August 2006, joined Black Grace Dance Company for their season of Amata in September. Performed with the company in AK07 and went on North Island tour afterwards until April 2007.
Emily Adams: Emily began studying dance in Auckland at an early age. She became versed in both Ballet and Jazz. Emily went on to study at the New Zealand School of Dance as a contemporary major before returning to Auckland.
Christopher Kroukamp: Born in South Africa and started dancing at the age of 4. Studied ballet at the Johannesburg art and ballet school. Joined PACT Ballet in 1997, also performing with the Fantastic Flying Fish Company and going on to perform principal roles for Ballet Theatre Afrikan.
Debbie Fulford: Born in Hastings, Debbie trained at The NZ School of Dance. Since graduating in 1998, she has been working as a freelance performing artist. She returned to NZ to join Footnote Dance Company (2004-2005) and toured NZ with performances and workshops. Recently she was part of Raewyn Hill's dance/theatre work "Angels with Dirty Feet" performing at Nelson, Tauranga and Taupo festivals.
Warren Bruce Muller: Warren was born in Johannesburg South Africa and started ballet at the age of 17. Attended the Pretoria Technicon where he studied ballet, contemporary, spanish dance and choreography for 4 years.
Joined the South African Ballet Theatre in 2001 as a Corps de Ballet artist for 2 years. Worked in Northern Africa and Turkey from 2003 - 2005 as a dancer/entertainer in the Magic Life clubs.
Arrived in New Zealand in January 2006.
Daniel Cooper: Dan trained at the New Zealand School of Dance, graduating in 2001. He has been a dancer with Black Grace Dance Company for the last five years, with whom he performed nationally and internationally. Dan has also worked with many choreographers including Douglas Wright, Daniel Belton and Louise Potiki-Bryant.
Sean Kroukamp: Sean featured in Peter and the Wolf during 1996-1997.