Gaylene Sciascia | |
---|---|
Born | Gaylene Ann Wilson 3 September 1948
Auckland, New Zealand |
Occupation(s) | Choreographer, contemporary dance teacher |
Spouse |
Gaylene Ann Sciascia ONZM (born 3 September 1948) is a New Zealand choreographer and dance educator.
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]
Sciascia married Piri John Ngarangikaunuhia Sciascia in 1972. [2] He died on 18 January 2020. [6]