The choressnapher:Neil IerermiaBiography

Neil leremia is one of New Zealand's mostaccompl ished choreographers, a creativeentrepreneur and inspirational leader.

Born in Wellington and of Samoan heritage,Neil was raised in a tough working classneighbourhood in a country focused more on

sporting prowess and agriculture rather thancreative expression. At the age of nineteenand with no formaltraining, Neil resigned fromhis banking job, left home, enrolled in a fulltime dance programme and broke his parents'hearts.

ln his final year of training he was invited to jointhe prestigious Douglas Wright Dance Companywhom he worked for until 1996. As a freelanceprofessional dancer, Neil also worked with many

other leading New Zealand choreographersas well as creating a number of commissionedworks.

Motivated to provide a different perspectiveand a fresh voice in the dance scene, Neilfounded his own company, Black Grace, in1995, with ten male dancers of Pacific, Maoriand New Zealand heritage. Since then he has

changed the face of contemporary dance inNew Zealand and turned Black Grace into oneof the most recognizable and iconic culturalbrands.

His company tours the length and breadth ofNew Zealand developing new audiences anda new appreciation for dance. lnternationallyhis work has been presented in Australia,Canada, Germany, Holland, Japan, Luxembourg,Mexico, New Caledonia, South Korea, Scotland,Switzerland and the United States of America.

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Numerous'firsts'for a New Zealand

choreographer include sell-outperformances at Jacob's Pillow DanceFestival (USA debul2oo4 and zoo5), a

four-week season on New York City's 4zndStreet, performances at the renownedCervantino Festival in Mexico, the JohnF. Kennedy Center for the PerformingArts, and the zoto Cultural Olympiad in

Vancouver.

Among his many other achievements,Neil has received a 2oo5 Arts Foundationof New Zealand Laureate Award, andthe zoog Paul D. Fleck Fellowship in theArts from The Banff Centre, Canada. ln

2oo9 Black Grace was presented with aresolution passed by the Guam Legislatorin recognition of their work with localcommunities, and 2o1o saw the Mayorof Honolulu officially proclaim the 6thFebruary 2o1o as "Black Grace Day". Mostrecently Black Grace received a HeraldAngelAward at the zot4 EdinburghFestival Fringe.

For rnore lnformation:r www.r? dionz.co.nz/national/.../playing-

favou rites-with -nei l- ierem iao www.listener.co.ny'commentary/neil-

ieremia/. natlib.govl.nz/

items?text= I ere m iazzC+Nei I

. http://www.l istene r.co.nz/commentary/neil-ieremia/

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