2009 YOU BETTER RUN BOY!

• Ben Harper – AUT University Bachelor of Dance
  Ben is currently a member of The Young Americans Company based in LA, California, while also studying on a scholarship at AUT University.
  “The UYM experience is not an easy one, and not to be taken lightly. It all depends on what you put into the process yourself – if you’re a person willing to achieve the most out of everything, then you are going to succeed and benefit a lot from the process. The advice that I would give to the new UYMers is to seize every opportunity you get, release your inhibitions and work on developing friends within the cast, as these people will be friends you make for life. UYM changes you for the better.”
• Ula Buliruarua – Dance Student, Unitec
  Ula is in her final year at One Tree Hill College, and is considering a move to Australia in 2011 to further her performance studies.
  “UYM is a once in a lifetime opportunity, I learnt so much about myself as a person and as a dancer. My perspective on dance and life has changed. The best thing I got out of this was a reality check. The best things in life are worth working hard for and you won’t get it unless you do. Doing UYM was like your mind living the dream while your body went through hell and back. Throughout the process your character will grow and your body will shrink (yay for me!). Take every opportunity like it’s your last and enjoy yourself. Of course it will be hard to always smile and laugh, but push your limits until you faint.”
• Thomas Fonua – Junior Dancer, Black Grace
  After performing in UYM, Thomas was invited to train with Black Grace.
  “UYM was always challenging and I loved it because I like being pushed to and past my limits, physically and emotionally. We had our good and bad times, but every experience was beneficial in my growth as both a dancer and a person. I’ve learnt qualities and lessons that will help me through the rest of my life. It’s essential that you come into UYM wanting to learn because without that attitude you won’t get the most out of the experience. UYM helps you to discover your full potential and gives you an idea of how far you can go when you put your heart and soul into it.”

2004 This Life

• Jessica Daniel – Dance Teacher / Choreographer / Student
  Jessica is currently living in Melbourne, Australia and working for the Australian School of Performing Arts teaching their Aus Girls Dance Program as well as choreographing for the Australian Girls Choir. She has also been involved with ‘Active After School Communities’, a government funded after-school program for primary students. She is also studying personal training.
  “UYM was definitely a very important part of my life that contributed to who I am today. UYM was probably one of the most physically and emotionally challenging things I have ever put my body and mind through and I am so glad that I can look back on my high school years and say that UYM was such a big part of it. My advice to other UYMers is to be prepared and excited to reach way out of your comfort zone, you’ll be so glad that you did!”

2003 Escape … Again!

• Toni-Maree Cresswell – Teacher / Mother
  Toni-Maree gained her Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) and is currently living in Brisbane, Australia with her partner and three children.
  “UYM helped me get to where I am today in many ways, and although I chose to pursue my teaching career first, dancing is still my passion and UYM showed me that I can do whatever I set my mind to. My UYM experience was absolutely awesome, it was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I was pushed to my absolute limits, and it was like being part of a huge family. Everyone was so supportive and always gave 100% at every rehearsal and performance. I learnt the importance of believing in my abilities and myself, and I learnt that no matter how hard it gets to never give up. The advice I would give to the new members of UYM would be to make the most of it. Work hard and reap the rewards. Challenge yourself and you will be amazed at what you can achieve.”

2002 Escape

• Anna Ting – Junior Lawyer
  Anna is a Junior Lawyer working for a Barrister in Manukau. She conducts Tribunal Appeals and often novel civil claims against Government Departments such as the NZ Police, Department of Corrections and the Ministry of Justice. She also deals with parole, recall hearings and criminal law.
  “The UYM experience is not just for people who want to be professional dancers. It gives you skills to approach whatever you want in life with confidence and to aim high. I was involved in UYM firstly as a dancer and then assisting to organise the programme, and I still have heaps of contact with Black Grace now. My advice is to make the most of your time with Black Grace and the other UYM dancers, its an intense experience and the more you put into it the more you will get out!”
• Riki-Lee Tarei – Primary Teacher / Student / Mother
  Riki-Lee is currently a Primary School Teacher and is also studying a Bachelor of Education – as well as a mother of three!
  “UYM definitely contributed to the kind of teacher I would like to be, I would like to promote the arts, especially dance within the schools I teach. My UYM experience was definitely a unique and memorable experience, I especially loved the diverse people I met through UYM, the experience taught me discipline and to push my body to the limit which I appreciated. It prepared me for future (intense) life experiences. My advice is to be prepared to work muscles you never knew existed! Be open to the new experiences and challenges you may face, and work hard as part of a team … it’s not the dancing that I remember the most it’s the people I shared the experience with; Sam, Kirsten, Liam, Richie, Kris and many more you were awesome. ’Souf Side!’
  
• Tupua Tigafua – Dancer
  Tupua has danced professionally with Black Grace. After UYM 2002, Tupua went to Unitec to study Dance.
  “If it wasn’t for UYM I would not have been inspired to become a dancer / performer. The whole UYM experience was way out of my comfort zone… I had no dance experience but I always enjoyed performing. Some advice I would give for people thinking of doing UYM is don’t take it for granted. Try to absorb everything you hear and see, give everything a go because before you know it, it’s over. Make the most out of it and have fun!”
• Abby Crowther – Dancer / Administrator, Black Grace
  Abby performed in Neil Ieremia’s full-length work Surface in 2003, before being trained at Black Grace in 2004/05. Abby is now a full-time dancer/administrator at Black Grace.
  “I’ve always had a great passion for dance, but before UYM I didn’t realise that you could really make it your career. UYM taught me the drive, discipline and self-confidence needed to make me believe that I really had a shot at dancing professionally. It’s great to be a thinking dancer, and UYM really encourages this. I learnt so much about myself, not just in terms of dance, but about my character too. I think to get the most out of UYM you have to give it all back to the process. If you put in 100% you’ll get a huge return.”

2001 UYM

2000 UYM Debut