Huihui//Collide

24/09/2024

⚡️That’s a wrap for 2024⚡️

What an incredible two days that was! An Instagram caption and a few photos doesn’t come close to being able to communicate how proud I am of each and every dancer that attended Huihui this year. Some of these kids have come every year and I have seen them grow over the past three years to be the most professional, hard working and captivating performers. Others are just at the beginning of their dance journey and I cannot wait to see them continue to flourish ✨

To the wonderful dance kaiako who brought their students this year - thank you! I see you and all the work you put in ###

The plans are already in motion for 2025. See you there!!

21/09/2024

15/09/2024

⚡️5 days to go⚡️
Get your tickets to Friday’s show and go in the draw to win a Frank Green drink bottle! Link in bio.

27/08/2024

Kia ora👋🏻 I figured it was time to (re)introduce myself, especially to those who are new here! I’m Nikki Quinn and I’m the founder of Huihui ⚡️
Dance has always been a big part of my life. As a small child my mum took me to a creative dance class at a local church and I was hooked! As a teenager and through a lot of my 20’s I was a competitive ballroom dancer, dancing in NZ and internationally. But my true love for dance was really fostered by my high school dance teacher, Sophie Tabakas, who developed a space in which I could thrive. She pushed me to be creative and to pursue a career in dance.
After high school, I started a Bachelor of Dance Studies at The University of Auckland. It was here that my passion for teaching and choreography was fueled. gave me such a wonderful experience and it is incredibly fulfilling to be able to provide their current students with an opportunity to share their talents and passion at Huihui!
I have taught dance in a high school setting for the last decade. For me, the focus of school dance should be creativity and connectedness. I try to ensure my students love dance, not because of any awards or trophies,but because of the way it brings people together and allows us to create something beautiful. This is the kaupapa behind Huihui. Competition has its place but sometimes it’s nice to just dance for joy.
Huihui is my passion project and with it I hope to provide ALL dancers with the space to celebrate all you can do in dance. A space to grow and develop, to see a pathway in dance and to connect with others who are passionate.
I can’t wait to see you all there soon! Xx

23/08/2024

⚡️Workshop facilitator - Mea Birch⚡️
Mea has been dancing since she was three years old, training initially in ballet. She discovered contemporary dance early on and fell in love with the freedom and artistry available within this genre. Mea trained mostly at Cameron Ballet Academy and freelance dancing at other studios. She has been awarded many secondments including: Black Grace Dance Company, New Zealand Dance Company and Footnote Dance Company.

Mea is currently in her third year of her Bachelor of Dance Studies at the University of Auckland and planning on doing a Diploma of Secondary Teaching to continue her passion for dance education focusing on Kaupapa Māori methodologies and community dance. Earlier this year Mea toured with UoA Dance Studies to Aisa, where she taught at Dulwich International College in Singapore and trained at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Mea currently teaches at Cameron Ballet Academy, teaching open contemporary workshops with a focus on creative choreography and ballet private lessons.

This year, Mea is heading to Wellington to complete a week-long secondment with Footnote Dance Company on Kota Yamazaki’s piece, “Thin Paper”. Footnote will be travelling to Japan to perform this piece. She will be taking part in their open classes and experience how rehearsals run for a leading New Zealand Dance Company.

Mea is so looking forward to coming back to HUIHUI Collide to work with all of the amazing learners and movers! Time to get GROOVING!!

23/08/2024

✨Feedback Superstar- Ralph Buck✨ We are so incredibly fortunate to have Ralph providing feedback on each school’s performance this year. Read his bio below.
Professor Ralph Buck (PhD) is Head of Dance Studies, and Associate Dean International, University of Auckland, New Zealand. His research and teaching focuses on dance education curriculum, dance pedagogy and community dance. Ralph is the UNESCO Co-Chair on Dance and Social Inclusion, and currently working within several international dance research and service organisations such as, World Alliance for Arts Education (WAAE). Ralph’s teaching and leadership has been recognised by: The University of Auckland Distinguished Teaching Award, 2008; Award for Leadership, 2010; Excellence Award for Equal Opportunities 2006; and, Creative Arts and Industries Research Excellence Award, 2016.

Ralph has several international academic appointments including Visiting Professorships at Northwest Normal University and Beijing Dance Academy. His research in dance education is published in international journals and he has delivered invited key notes and master classes in China, Australia, Columbia, Sweden, Finland, Singapore, Denmark, New Zealand and Fiji.

19/08/2024

⚡️Workshop Facilitator - Amy Griffin⚡️ Amy has been dancing since 2004, with extensive training in Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, Lyrical, Acro, and Ballet. Originally from Hawkes Bay, she competed nationally and performed with the Born to Move Encore Dance group across New Zealand.

Holding a Bachelor of Dance Studies from the University of Auckland, Amy is currently pursuing a Master’s degree focused on choreographic research that bridges biological science, dance, and multimodality. She is engaged in two professional dance contracts: one with Alys Longley and another with Becca Weber and Joanna Cook for ‘Vector,’ a digital VR installation using motion capture. Additionally, Amy performed in The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2024 Auckland seasons of ‘Swan Lake’ and Sir Wayne McGregor’s ‘Infra.’

In July 2024, Amy completed a week-long secondment with Australian Dance Theatre, furthering her professional development. She also works as a producer, stage manager, and freelance photographer, and teaches contemporary and jazz dance at Excel School of Performing Arts in West Auckland.

Amy is excited to attend Huihui for the first time and return to the Waikato region as a facilitator, eager to support emerging dancers in the evolving arts industry.