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Image Credits. Top Left: Hans Ahwang-Ware photo courtesy of www.organicphoto.com.au Top right: Karl Telfer, Photo by Tony Virgo. Bottom Left: Gina Rings and Josh Campton (photo from 2016 Masterclass) Photo by Michelle Ryan
Restless Presents Masterclasses with leading ATSI dance professionals
Restless is presenting a second series of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Masterclasses. These are open to young ATSI participants with and without disability as was as some Restless participants. The masterclasses are on a Saturday and Sunday and go for three hours on each day. As with last years projects, the masterclasses are conducted by leading guest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance professionals.
So far, there have been two masterclasses conducted: one by Hans Ahwang-Ware and one by Gina Rings.
Hans Ahwang-Ware is a proud Torres Strait Islander, who worked for Queensland Health as a Health Promotion Officer after high school, undertaking his training with Quality Lifestyle Program. After this Hans moved to Moa (part of the Torres Strait Island archipelago) to care for his grandfather and continue his aged care and heathy lifestyle program work. In 2010 he made an emotional departure from the island to begin studying at the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA) Dance College in Sydney. It was an enormous change in his life and led to years of intense study and dedication to his passion. He has since been working as a freelance dancer and dance teacher across Australia and around the world.
Hans’ Masterclass was held 26 and 27 August and he was assisted by Cinzia Schincariol and by Josh Campton who is a Larrakia (N.T.),Wadaman, Karajarri (W.A) Aboriginal artist.
Gina Rings is a Aboriginal woman from the Kokatha nation on the west coast of South Australia. She has been involved in the arts for over 21 years and trained in dance disciplines stemming from classical ballet, contemporary dance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island traditional dance. Gina worked Bangarra from 1994 to 1998. Since then she has had wide experience dancing with and choreographing for many companies. Gina has worked in youth theatre for many years mainly with Kurruru Indigenous Youth Theatre as their main choreographer and six months as Artistic Director. Gina also has considerable experience in film (screen writing and play writing). Gina worked as a Mentor to Josh Campton last year as part of the Restless Debut 5 program, assisting in the development of his original work: What Bird Is That?
Gina’s Masterclass was held 16 and 17 September assisted by Cinzia Schincariol. Dearna Newchurch has been assisting Restless to set up this series of Masterclasses. She has done a brilliant job and we thank her so much.
The final Masterclass in the current series will be held by Karl ‘Winda’ Telfer on 7 and 8 October. If you would like to attend please contact Dearna Newchurch.
Karl is a Kaurna man from the Adelaide Plains. Born into a family of strong cultural heritage, who are actively involved in politics, and have always fought for social justice and human rights for Aboriginal people, Karl continues the legacy by integrating his culture with the arts. A Kaurna Cultural Bearer, an artist, a visual artist and community leader, Karl is recognised internationally as a cultural ambassador and has been invited to perform and participate culturally in many parts of the world: Seattle U.S.A, France, Spain, Singapore, London, Japan, Canada, Germany, Dubai. Karl is the founder of the Paitya Dance Group in Adelaide, which entwines Kaurna knowledge and culture with present experience, including work with Kaurna language, stories. Karl is working with Restless to advise on the development of the company’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
The Masterclasses are supported by Arts South Australia through their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Development Program.
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