Dancenorth has announced the strengthening of their team through the appointment of Raewyn Hill as Artistic Director. Formally commencing the prestigious appointment from 1 January 2010, Raewyn comes to Dancenorth following an extensive worldwide selection process and will immediately start work on the company’s 2010 and 2011 program.

With Northern Australia and the Pacific Rim as a palette from which to create work, Dancenorth will connect with, support and drive engaging stories through innovative and creative performances whilst capitalising on all opportunities created over the past few years, in addition to those that Raewyn will bring to the company.

Chair of the Dancenorth Board, Mike Butler, said “We received many high quality applicants for this position and Raewyn’s success is testament to Dancenorth’s focus to connect with our community and re-energise dance as focused within our region. As a mature relationship-driven leader Raewyn has the capacity to drive the company forward through highly skilled artistic management to catalyse the company’s growth by a strong, refined vision”.

New Zealand born and trained, Raewyn is highly regarded for her flair in balancing a strong physicality with a precise technical vocabulary and has managed her own professional dance company for many years. She is currently Artist in Residence at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts; has created eight full length works including Angels with Dirty Feet; A dance for the forgotten; We are gathered here today, When Love Comes Calling, and most recently Finders Keepers; and will be Artist in Residence at Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris from August to October this year.
 
Raewyn Hill commented "I am thrilled about my move to Townsville to work with Dancenorth. I look forward to strengthening Dancenorth's profile within the Australian dance industry and am especially keen to encourage the company's engagement with the Townsville community. Dancenorth has produced world class contemporary dance work and I am thrilled to be joining the company at this time and getting my feet on the ground in early 2010".

The announcement comes eight weeks out from the premiere of Dancenorth’s new production Nowhere Fast, choreographed by Raewyn’s close friend and fellow New Zealander Ross McCormack, on 1-5 July in Townsville.
 
Industry and Dancenorth audiences will have the opportunity to meet incoming Artistic Director Raewyn Hill at the company’s third Art for Art Sake installment, the Nowhere Fast dinner & show on Saturday 4 July with tickets from $50.

For further details www.dancenorth.com.au