NAISDA celebrates

NAISDA Dance College recently celebrated the achievements of its students at a Graduation Ceremony on June 29, including the inaugural cohort of the new Advance Diploma.

Guests at the ceremony included Ben Franklin, the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Arts and Regional Youth.

Also present was James Boyd, an Aboriginal graduate with connections to the Kunja and Muruwari people and the Wakka Wakka nation of southwest Queensland. He received the Chairperson's Award, supported by the Commonwealth Bank, in recognition of his positive contribution to college life and highly distinguished artistic and academic performance.

Certificate III students Adina Donahue, of Djabugay descent, and Nomi Haji-Ahmad, of Bardi descent, were the recipients of the William Rubensohn Foundation NAISDA Scholarships, which recognised their motivation and commitment to their studies.

The Joanne Harris Scholarship bursary program helps remove some of the barriers and stresses that students experience as they commit themselves to NAISDA’s rigorous training regime. In recognition of the continuing COVID-related challenges facing students, this year’s bursary was awarded to all 2022 students to provide support and continuity.

Over its 46 years of existence, NAISDA has nurtured the artistic development and careers of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. “Testament to this are our Advanced Diploma graduates who have already stepped into professional opportunities, with James Boyd joining Bangarra Dance Theatre, and Brianna Kemmerling and Kiara Wilson both working with NT Dance Company in Darwin,” says CEO, Kim Walker.

See more on NT Dance Company here.

Like this story? Want to read more? Sign up to our weekly e-news and subscribe to our print magazine here.