Ngaere Jenkins | New Zealand School of Dance | The New Zealand Dance Company | Sydney Dance Company

Meet Ngaere Jenkins, a 26-year-old dancer whose journey from the New Zealand School of Dance to the Sydney Dance Company is a testament to her unwavering passion for movement and exploration. With proud ancestry from Te Arawa and Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngaere’s path in dance began with a childhood steeped in admiration for the art form. Graduating from the renowned New Zealand School of Dance in 2018, she honed her craft under the guidance of influential mentors and showcased her talent on international stages. During her tenure with The New Zealand Dance Company from 2019 to 2023, Ngaere’s performances in diverse choreographies illuminated her commitment to her cultural heritage and artistic expression. Now, as a member of the Sydney Dance Company since October 2023, Ngaere continues to push boundaries in dance, embodying strength and agility with every leap.

Q: What made you choose the New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD) for your pre-professional training? Did you get to see many of their performances?

Ngaere: I grew up in Newtown, where the New Zealand School of Dance is located, so throughout primary and high school there were school trips to go and watch the students dance. As little kiddies, we would peek through the windows, and as I got older, I attended their performances. I also used to babysit for a family and the mum – Ursula Robb, is an incredible dancer. She danced in Europe with Rosas, Ultima Vez and Zoo but she trained at the New Zealand School of Dance. She took me to their choreographic season and shared the story of her audition. This was the first time I really saw the breadth of contemporary. It was raw, humorous, awkward and the dancers were intimate and forceful all at once, I knew it was the place I wanted to audition for.

Q: Reflectively, what is it about that training at NZSD that really impacted you as an artist?

Ngaere: The selection of teachers covered everything we needed to know. The training was very thoughtful. Groundwork is huge in New Zealand, and I’m really thankful for all the time spent rolling and learning how to get in and out of the floor.

At NZSD, they valued understanding the land and history of Aotearoa, which gave us a grounding, a foundation, and a sense of identity.

Learning about Te Ao Māori showed our potential as whole people encompassing emotional, physical, relation and spiritual well-being.

Q: So you felt well prepared when you graduated?

Ngaere: Yes, at NZSD, you have opportunities to do secondments with companies, which gives you a glimpse into what a professional full-time company looks like. That experience was invaluable in understanding the professional dance world. At NZSD and through my classmates I was taught the value of connection and meaningful relationships which I believe is very important in the industry.

Q: Tell me about what it was like in those first few weeks as a brand new company dancer. Were you nervous?

Ngaere: Yeah, I was super nervous. I was lucky because a friend from my NZSD class started at The New Zealand Dance Company at the same time as I did, so we had each other, which helped a lot. When I graduated, I was very fit from the routine of dancing all day—two morning classes, then rehearsals, repertoire, partnering, and improvisation. Company life can be very different and sometimes you need to find your own structure and motivation. I remember being amazed by the discipline and quality of the seasoned dancers, learning quickly from their work ethic.

Q: Was it a bit daunting for you to take the step and move to Australia?

Ngaere: I’ve lived in Aotearoa my whole life and was always keen to experience movement abroad. I was really grateful for the five years I had at The New Zealand Dance Company, dancing with and learning from incredible choreographers, dancers, and mentors. It was an unbelievable experience, but I was ready to try something new in an unfamiliar space.

Q: How does the pace and number of performances at Sydney Dance Company compare to your previous experiences?

Ngaere: Sydney Dance Company works at a very fast pace because they’ve got so many shows to fit in. They did over 100 performances last year, which is more than I had done in my career up to that point. Learning all the repertoire was a big challenge.

Q: What have been the highlights thus far of being a company member at Sydney Dance Company?

Ngaere: Honestly, just being in Sydney Dance Company is a highlight. I didn’t think I’d get past the ballet class in the audition, so I was thrilled to make it through. Touring has been a series of pinch-me moments, performing at the Royal Opera House, traveling for work—it’s all been amazing. Recently, we started working with Melanie Lane, and I’m really excited about her work.

Q: Does your body still really hurt after working with different choreographers?

Ngaere: Yeah, definitely. Each choreographer’s work challenges different parts of the body. As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned the importance of doing my physio exercises and that skipping them means I’ll pay for it later. Stretching and rolling out are crucial. Glute bridges, in particular, are a lifesaver—they seem to fix everything.

Q: Did you always know that you were going to be a contemporary artist?

Ngaere: I trained a lot in ballet growing up, but seeing Mana Wahine by Ōkāreka Dance Company when I was about 16 was a turning point. Watching those powerful women on stage, comfortable in who they were, moving in a way I had never seen before—the reciprocity in energy between dancers and audience was electric. That performance made me realise I wanted to do contemporary dance seriously.

Q: Is there a creator in you?

Ngaere: Maybe one day. For now, I’m enjoying being a vessel for other choreographers, translating their movement onto the stage and letting it exist in my body.

Q: If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?

Ngaere: I’d tell myself to have confidence, know where you come from, and find comfort in your own journey. Everyone’s path is different, and there’s no right one. Don’t compare yourself to others. And be kind—kindness goes a long way.