Waikato Contemporary Dance Projects Trust

18/07/2026

More photos from Garden of Returning Souls... site performance in the English Flower Hamilton Gardens. Featuring performers Helene Burgstaller, Margaret Dewes and Holly Finch, with Declan Patrick and Karen Barbour. Musical Direction and musical performances on the Virginal by Rachael Griffiths-Hughes, Cello by Martin Griffith, Singing by Isabella Reid, Flute by Kathryn Orbell, and Virginal and drum by Michael Williams. Thanks to Rodrigo Hill for the photographs.

18/07/2026

Well, its been a few months... We are pleased to share some photos from Garden of Returning Souls, performed in Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa the Hamilton Arts Festival in February! Thanks to Rodrigo Hill for these photos! Wonderful wooden flute played by Kathryn Orbell for this section x

22/02/2026

We are super excited to share our new work Garden of Returning Souls. Performances on 25-26-27 at 6pm and 28 at 3pm! Book tickets now

Garden of Returning Souls, Waikato Contemporary Dance Projects Trust ..., English Flower Garden, Hamilton, Waikato, 20 February 2026 - 28 February 2026,

18/02/2026

Opening tomorrow! Garden of Returning Souls!
Here is a peak at our rehearsals this week.
Book now for Friday February 20, 25, 26, 27 at 6pm, or for Saturday 28 at 3pm! Hamilton Arts Festival 🌺

18/02/2026

Wonderful Radio New Zealand interview with music expert collaborator Dr Rachael Griffiths-Hughes about ‘Garden of Returning Souls’! Scroll down for interview- opening night Friday 20th at 6pm!

Time for a chat with one of our great Afternoons music critics. It's a big one today - Bic Runga's first album of original material in 15 years. It's called 'Red Sunset', and Dianne Swann tells us how… Audio

16/02/2026

Hi dancers! This is our last week of our summer series of Open Contemporary Dance classes on Wednesday and Thursday at 9.15am in the Dance Studio on campus. Come join us! Classes are free and for more information, see the posts below. Thanks to all of our Waikato Contemporary Dance Projects Trust teachers!

12/02/2026

Rehearsing this week!

14/01/2026

Today we started the creative process with dancers for our new performance season of Garden of Returning Souls’! Feeling inspired - performances on February 20, 25, 26, 27 and 28th!

06/01/2026

What does ‘Open Contemporary Dance’ mean?
1. Open, positive, inclusive atmosphere.
2. Open to professionals, students and community dancers aged 15+.
3. Open without booking so you can drop-in, but be early.
4. Open contemporary means teachers offer their own unique approaches, not syllabus, ‘lyrical’ or curriculum-based.
5. Open contemporary means floor work, body awareness, fundamentals, traveling, phrases and stretching, with lots of room for your own flair and spice!
6. Open means in-person, embodied learning in the moment, so no videos or online option.
Just come dance!

02/01/2026

Come join us for open summer classes 9.15-10.30am January 14-February 19, Academy of Performing Arts, Uni of Waikato. Dancers 16+ welcome. Free thanks to our supporters Te Kura Toi School of Arts, WEL Energy Trust!

What does ‘Open Contemporary Dance’ mean?
1. Open, positive, inclusive atmosphere.
2. Open to professionals, students and community dancers aged 15+.
3. Open without booking so you can drop-in, but be early.
4. Open contemporary means teachers offer their own unique approaches, not syllabus, ‘lyrical’ or curriculum-based.
5. Open contemporary means floor work, body awareness, fundamentals, traveling, phrases and stretching, with lots of room for your own flair and spice!
6. Open means in-person, embodied learning in the moment, so no videos or online option.
Just come dance!