The AHA Awards Story
Promising 'Honours' student ALANA HAINES was tragically killed in a car accident on Christmas Eve 1989 at the age of 11, just one day after performing to an audience of 1500.
Biennially, since 1991, the Alana Haines Dance Awards has been providing young ballet dancers a chance to compete on an international level for thousands of dollars in prizes and scholarships.
The competition involves dancers being evaluated in technical classes as well as on stage in their prepared performances. The event spans four days at the venue with many months of preparation and post-event administration.
The role of the AHA in New Zealand Ballet today
The AHA Awards have grown steadily to be a very important dance event in the Australasian calendar. The first awards held in Wellington, drew 63 participants aged 13 – 21. $3600.00 in prize money was awarded.
Promising 'Honours' student ALANA HAINES was tragically killed in a car accident on Christmas Eve 1989 at the age of 11, just one day after performing to an audience of 1500.
Biennially, since 1991, the Alana Haines Dance Awards has been providing young ballet dancers a chance to compete on an international level for thousands of dollars in prizes and scholarships.
The competition involves dancers being evaluated in technical classes as well as on stage in their prepared performances. The event spans four days at the venue with many months of preparation and post-event administration.
The role of the AHA in New Zealand Ballet today
The AHA Awards have grown steadily to be a very important dance event in the Australasian calendar. The first awards held in Wellington, drew 63 participants aged 13 – 21. $3600.00 in prize money was awarded.
In 2005 a ‘Junior Scholars’ section was introduced for ages 11-13yrs with one set solo to perform.Consequently, the standard of dance has improved immensely as these Juniors move on into the Supreme Awards sections 13 – 21yrs.
Runner-ups from 2005/7 in the AHA AWARDS have gone on to take top prizes in the most prestigious international ‘Prix de Lausanne’ competition Switzerland which indicates the incredibly high standard of dancers we are producing in NZ. The 2009 winner went on to win the Genee as well.
In 2009, over 200 male and female candidates between the ages of 11 and 21 competed in the Alana Haines Awards. Over $100,000 in prize money and scholarships was donated by schools and dance enthusiasts.
