35 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people have come together on Darkinjung Land today to begin their 2023 training journey at NAISDA Dance College, Australia’s national performing arts training organisation. Students were welcomed with a smoking ceremony by Uncle Gavi Duncan.
The new and returning students, known as Developing and Practising Artists, have travelled from cities, towns and remote regions across Australia, from Adelaide, Perth, Nyinyikay in North East Arnhem Land, Lightning Ridge in New South Wales to Thursday Island in the Torres Strait.
Proud Malyangapa woman Tayah Quayle who was born in Albury on Wiradjuri Country and has lived on the Gold Coast the Land of the Kombumerri People for the past six years is a new Developing Artist joining NAISDA this year.
“I applied to join NAISDA because I wanted the opportunity to learn more about myself and my culture and combine that with my love and passion for dance,” said Tayah.
“So far the experience of being at NAISDA has been unreal, I feel like I’m dreaming! I have been really enjoying getting to know the other Developing and Practising Artists and getting a feel for the classes I’ll be taking this year.”
The NAISDA curriculum provides specialised nationally accredited qualifications with disciplines including cultural dance, contemporary, hip hop, ballet, choreography, physical theatre, music production and dancefilm. This, combined with live performance and production experience in professional theatres along with industry placements with national arts companies provides students with a solid platform to embark on a career in the arts.
In addition to the focus on developing technical skills and knowledge, NAISDA’s learning model includes a unique cultural residency program with students visiting remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. In 2023 Developing and Practising Artists will visit Nyinyikay in the Northern Territory.
“I’m especially looking forward to our mid-year performance and the opportunity to go on cultural residency and learn from cultural tutors.
“During my time at NAISDA I really want to take the opportunity to develop myself culturally, spiritually and physically so I can help others do the same in my future career,” Tayah concluded.
NAISDA CEO Kim Walker explained that the dance college has a proud 47-year tradition of producing our country’s leading First nations artists, choreographers and cultural leaders.
“The embedding of cultural and creative learning at NAISDA helps our students grow as people, artists, and the storytellers of tomorrow.
“NAISDA delivers a unique education which gives graduates the skills, qualifications and ability to follow their passion, realise dreams and I can’t wait to see where our current cohort take their careers,” he concluded.