The Acorn Foundation and the trustees of the FAME Trust are pleased to announce the selection for the 2022 Emerging Practitioner Award recipient at the New Zealand School of Dance. This institution is one of seven top-rated performing arts schools in New Zealand which are each granted an annual $10,000 scholarship to offer promising students who have completed at least one year of tertiary study.

Former Wellington Girls’ College student, Hannah Scholten, a Contemporary Dance student who is completing her second year of study has been chosen as the recipient. According to the selection panel, Hannah pushes herself both as a dancer and as a choreographer and has gained extensive industry experience. As a first year student, Hannah was given the opportunity to dance her self-choreographed solo at the NEW Zealand School of Dance’s Insight performances. She has been seconded to Java Dance Company, danced at Cuba Dupa with dance company Footnote, and was seconded to Hawke’s Bay for Footnote Dance.

Hannah explains what winning this award means to her. “The FAME Trust Emerging Practitioner Award means a great deal to me in supporting my endeavours as a dancer at the school and in the industry. It will help with things such as tuition, workshop costs and travelling to take classes. It will alleviate the financial stress that comes with being a full-time student and will allow me to put all my energy and focus into my training and artistic goals.”

Paula Steeds-Huston, head of Contemporary Dance at NZSD describes Hannah in this way, “Hannah is a very mature, grounded student who demonstrates considerable dedication, energy and talent. We are excited and proud to see her win this wonderful award.”