Celebrating the Dance Community in Aotearoa: Join NZBDC's Movement

Greetings to the vibrant dance community of Aotearoa!

We are thrilled to extend an invitation to all dance professionals, studio owners, and competition organizers to join hands with the New Zealand Ballroom Dance Council (NZBDC) in promoting the art of dance across the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand.

At NZBDC, our mission is to create a harmonious and unified platform that celebrates the diversity and excellence of dance studios, teachers, and competitions throughout the country. We believe in fostering connections and providing a stage for every dance enthusiast to shine.

Dance Studio/Dance Teacher Directory

To kickstart this journey, we are excited to introduce a Dance Directory on our website. This calendar aims to be a comprehensive resource, featuring all dance studios and teachers, regardless of their affiliations. We want to make it easier for individuals to find information about ballroom dancing in their local communities.

If you are a dance studio owner or a teacher, we invite you to be part of this initiative. Visit this special page on our website and fill in the details (see below), we aim to publish this by early January 2024.

Universal Calendar of Events

In addition to the Dance Directory, we are committed to actively promoting competitions, studio socials, and practice nights on our website and social media platforms. If you are organising any of the following, get in touch with us via the special page (see below) on our website and fill in the details. The list of events get updated on a monthly basis.

A Gift to the Dance Community

We are excited to share that all these promotional services are offered entirely free of charge. Our goal is to contribute to the growth and appreciation of dance in Aotearoa, making it accessible to all who share a passion for movement and expression.

How to Join the Movement

Ready to step onto the dance floor with us? Please provide the requested information at your earliest convenience, and let's embark on this exciting journey together! Here’s the link to the form: https://www.nzdancesportcouncil.com/advertise-your-buisiness

We look forward to celebrating the dance community in New Zealand.

NZBDC

Vacancy for Registrants’ Representative

Pursuant to the constitution there is a vacancy for one Registrant's Representative to become a Trustee of the New Zealand Ballroom Dance Council. The term of office is for 3 years commencing upon confirmation at the Annual General Meeting due to be held in February 2024.

In May 2023, Jonny Williams formally resigned as Trustee. This created a casual vacancy which was filled by Rosemary S Chung. This position under the Constitution is to hold office until the retirement date of the vacated Trustee. The vacated Trustee’s position is due to retire by rotation at the next Annual General Meeting in February 2024.

Any current registrant over the age of 16 may seek nomination to fill this vacancy (self-nomination is allowed provided a seconder supports it).

To be nominated, the registrant should complete the NZBDC Trustee nomination form in the attached pdf below, sign it as accepting nomination, have it seconded by another registrant over the age of 16 and forward it together with a brief resume to the General Secretary, New Zealand Ballroom Dance Council, by emai

l to info@dancesportcouncil.com no later than: 5pm Tuesday 31

October 2023 (the closing date for nominations).

In the event of more than one nom

ination being received a ballot shall be conducted by email following the closing date for nominations.

Kind regards,

Rosemary S. Chung

General Secretary

New Zealand Ballroom Dance Council

Trustee Elections 2023

.pdf

Download PDF • 119KB

NZBDC Newsletter - August 2023

“Step by step we are starting to understand each other”

Dancers involved in our business understand that having a healthy dance community means we must work together. For whatever reason this process has faltered in the past, however I am happy to tell everybody that talks are underway between the different organisations to work together again. The first meeting I had with the NZFATD and the NZFTD was held on 23rd June and we will talk to each other again very soon. Our goal, and first step, is to create a middle ground so that we can serve you, our customers.

I have also started talks with amateur dancers. The first one was on 2nd July and there will be another one planned for Tuesday 5 September at 7.30 pm. In these meetings I endeavour to listen to the wishes the amateur dancers have for NZ dancing. I will try to answer any questions, this could be on any subject and when I don’t have the answer straight away, I will find out and come back to you. The first meeting was a great platform for the dancers to speak their mind but left me with a feeling that we still have a long way to go. The meeting is only for amateurs with myself, if any amateur wants a link to the next meeting, please send me an email: pveek60@gmail.com

It is only four months at best before this dancing year comes to an end. There are signs that we are picking up numbers in our competitions and the dance studios are seeing an increase in students- this is good news. I am of the understanding that if my rival is successful, I will benefit also and therefore finding a way to see other dancers and teachers as an ally rather than a competitor will make our dance industry stronger.

The vision from our independent governing organisation the NZBDC is clear, understandable and workable; Amateur and Professional organisations unite. We are currently working on the next steps to proceed further in the coming months and years- neither new or revolutionary but just common sense.

We received questions regarding the Aotearoa championships. At the moment there is a good chance that there will be a competition held in Auckland organized by the SATD. At present they are working at realizing a special competition for the Pro-am division, solo’s, Duo, Formation etc., and possibly Open Dancesport for the weekend of 18 November 2023. We will keep you posted.

There will be two “open to all” training sessions in the week before the National Championships. One will be held on Friday 13 October at the Ucan2 dance studio and the other on Wednesday 18 October at Just dance NZ dance studio. It will be beneficial for all dancers but especially for those attending the championships the following weekend and everyone is welcome to join.

The NZBDC would like to thank both studios for their cooperation in making this possible for our dancers.

Just for fun: For the older dancers who have known the NZ dance icon Jimmy James and his love for dance I would jokingly say that Jimmy has sent us a message in a song. The singer bears the same name as our well-known dancer from Wellington. Please listen to the lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rj1So21b_A&list=RD8rj1So21b_A&index=1

For the younger dancers who have no idea who the New Zealand Jimmy James is, I have enclosed a biography of this great man. https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5j2/james-jimmy

Happy dancing everybody,

Peter van der Veek

Chairman NZBDC