We are sad to be saying farewell to a much-loved and admired member of the NAISDA Dance College team this week.
The ever-talented Raymond D Blanco will be moving on from his role as NAISDA’s Head of Culture & Training Operations after six and a half years with the organisation to pursue new adventures. He will be greatly missed by staff, Developing Artists and the entire NAISDA community.
Raymond shared this heartfelt, inspiring and honest message with NAISDA’s staff, which we thought we would share with the NAISDA community.
I would like to acknowledge and thank all the staff and DAs over the past 6½ years for their dedication and commitment to achieving what is needed to keep the doors of Australia’s longest running Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island organisation open for the generations of First Nations artists to come.
If NAISDA did not exist the landscape of Australia’s Performing Arts and Dance Industry would be that much poorer… It is only through the over extending of staff over the years that we have been able to remain a force de rigeur in the Australian landscape of our industry for Over 40 years.
We may sometimes feel like we are being taken for granted but believe me, This dedication is appreciated so much because those of us who know, we have gone through so much and not only survived but thrived. As one of the older graduates still in contact and involved with the Industry and NAISDA, I would like to say “A BIG THANKS YOU MOB” for being a part of our family & keeping the Dream Alive in your own inimitable way of dancing into our hearts; whether on a computer keyboard or on the phone You all Play a Major Role in this thing that has chosen us…
One of the DAs said to me, “This place won’t be the same without you” My response was, “Well I hope not”. It’s time for new blood. Change & evolution has been a strong part of the continuum that has secured NAISDA’s place in the Australian Dance Industry’s history.
Many have contributed and many will continue to do so. It takes a Special Kind of Heart to hang in here and give so much over and above our ‘position descriptions’ and I look forward to seeing the evolution of a New NAISDA in the future.
I wish you ALL the absolute and utmost strength, focus and love to get through another year of hard-hitting sometimes demoralising but spiritually HIGH & Creatively Inspired work toward empowering our youth toward their futures. Informed, Knowledgeable & Creatively Cutting Edge.
Thank you ALL for your continued support and may your support for NAISDA continue to the future. WHITNEY OUT…