Gaylene Sciascia
New Zealand choreographer and dance educator
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gaylene Ann Sciascia ONZM (born 3 September 1948) is a New Zealand choreographer and dance educator.
.jpg)
3 September 1948
Gaylene Sciascia | |
|---|---|
Sciascia in 2017 | |
| Born | Gaylene Ann Wilson 3 September 1948 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Occupations | Choreographer, contemporary dance teacher |
| Spouse | |
Sciascia was born Gaylene Ann Wilson in Auckland on 3 September 1948.[1] She graduated from the University of Utah with a Master of Fine Arts.[2]
In 1972 she opened New Zealand's inaugural contemporary dance company, New Dance,[3] along with John Casserly, Suzanne Renner and Jennifer Shennan.[4] When New Dance toured New Zealand in 1973 was the first national tour of a local modern dance group.[4] Sciascia and colleagues along with others such as Susan Jordan and Jamie Bull (Impulse Dance) were part of introducing modern dance throughout New Zealand in the 1970s.[4]
In 1976 Sciascia organised the first National Dance Congress in Porangahau.[3]
In 1991 she established Whitireia Performing Arts and led the programme until 2011.[5]
In the 2017 New Year Honours, Sciascia was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for service to dance.[3]
Personal
Sciascia married Piri John Ngarangikaunuhia Sciascia in 1972.[2] He died on 18 January 2020.[6]