Whitireia Bachelor of Applied Arts (Performing Arts) student John-Matai Ferguson will be returning from a two month tour of the United States of America just in time to graduate from his degree at a ceremony on March 25^th.

Ferguson has been given a contact with leading New Zealand contemporary dance Company Black Grace with Choreographer Neil Ieremia.

Creative Director for the Bachelor of Applied Arts (Performing Arts) Tuaine Robati suggested Ferguson, whom he refers to as the “top student of the class for 2009”, audition for a role in the company. Ferguson auditioned for two days and was given a job the next day. “So far it has been awesome!” says Ferguson. “I have been here for two weeks and four days and each day I learn more about my own technique and precision.”

In the last year of his study at Whitireia, Ferguson travelled with his fellow students to perform at International Festivals in Segovia, Burgos and Portugalete. He performed at the Rugby World Sevens, performed for the Prince Edward and excelled in his study.

“I am so rapt about this opportunity,” says Ferguson. “But I barely have time to think about it as I am focusing on what needs doing and preparing for our tour.”

Black Grace is touring America through February and March. The all male dance company specialises in blending stomping, Samoan slap dancing, stunningly beautiful group singing, and modern choreography of a high order.

The Bachelor of Applied Arts (Performing Arts) is the only course of its kind, it includes the study of contemporary dance, Samoan, Cook Islands, and Māori dance along with creative enterprise and contextual studies, creative techniques and research.