Stories for Supporters – Partner a Dancer: Standing Beside Our Artists
Katherine in final bows with her Romeo, Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson. Opening night of Andrea Schermoly’s Romeo and Juliet, 2023. Photo: Stephen A’Court
Partner a Dancer: Standing Beside Our Artists
If you’ve ever read our dancers’ biographies on the RNZB website or in a programme at the theatre, you may have noticed a line beneath a lot of their names: “Partnered by…”
Behind that one line is a very real relationship, between an artist on stage and someone in the audience who has chosen to stand alongside them. As one of our long-time supporters, Catherine, puts it:
“For us, it’s always an extra thrill to see ‘our’ dancer perform her magic on stage.”
For our dancers, knowing there is someone in the audience clapping extra loudly just for them is an amazing feeling – especially when their own families may not be at the show.
Katherine in rehearsal for Voyages Choreographic Season, 2024. Photo: Aimee Sullivan
A closer connection to the RNZB
Partnering a dancer is a way to become more closely involved with the life of the RNZB. Partners receive updates throughout the year about casting and performances, and have opportunities to meet their dancer – whether in Wellington or at other centres around New Zealand – and to visit behind the scenes, with invitations to attend company class and studio rehearsals.
Over time, many of these relationships grow into genuine friendships. Partners are some of the company’s most loyal, enthusiastic and knowledgeable supporters.
Steven and Catherine have supported RNZB Soloist Katherine Minor for over a decade, from shortly after she joined the RNZB in 2014.
"We had been very happy to support RNZB over the years, but were keen to discover whether there were ways we could engage more actively with the Company. When we heard about the programme, it sounded the perfect fit. But how to choose a dancer?"
Catherine & Steven Fyfe
Katherine Minor and Shaun James Kelly in Massimo Moricone’s A Christmas Carol, 2014. Photo: Evan Li
Choosing who to partner
Steven and Catherine had one request: they wanted to support a young dancer and follow their journey over several years.
“Our only specific request was to be partnered with a young dancer to enable us to share a connection for several years and experience the challenges and opportunities of a developing professional dancing career.”
The company invited them to watch company class and suggested a few dancers they might like to consider. That morning, one dancer caught their eye.
“Katherine stood out for us, being so dedicated, never ruffled, smiling throughout and never stopping… and a fabulous dancer.”
From that first class, the partnership has quietly grown alongside Katherine’s career.
“Little did we know, more than a decade on, Katherine is dancing better than ever, and we are very proud to still support Katherine and RNZB through the Partner a Dancer programme.”
Katherine Minor and Branden Reiners in rehearsal for Alice Topp’s High Tide, 2024. Photo Stephen A’Court
From programme notes to Sunday roast
While the formal benefits of the programme are special including behind the scenes events and attending opening night celebrations with the Company, what Steven and Catherine value most are the human moments that have unfolded along the way.
“We have made no demands on Katherine’s time, nor had any expectations of how we might connect and communicate. Katherine has richly rewarded us, keeping us up to date with both her dancing progress and her expeditions into the remoter parts of the country.”
When Steven and Catherine lived in Wellington, those connections often took place around a dinner table:
“Katherine was a regular at our Sunday evening roast dinners. We usually had a mix of our sons and nieces to Sunday dinner when they were studying in Wellington and were always impressed how much impoverished students and super-fit dancers could eat. We enjoyed meeting and sharing a Sunday dinner with Katherine’s family during their visits to New Zealand.”
Katherine Minor as Juliet in Andrea Schermoly’s Romeo and Juliet, 2023. Photo credit: Stephen A’Court.
Watching a career unfold
One of the great joys for partners is seeing the dancer they partner grow and take on new challenges. Over the years, Steven and Catherine have shared many milestone moments with Katherine and the company:
“We have been delighted to experience so many stunning performances over the years and it’s always an extra thrill to see ‘our’ dancer perform on stage. Mentioning just a few, Romeo & Juliet with Katherine as Juliet was such a highlight, the reopening of the St James with Cinderella was a joy, and Katherine’s performance in Waterbaby Bagatelles stayed in our memory.”
Through seasons, tours and debut roles, the partnership has been a constant. Katherine has someone in the audience who has followed her journey from early days to leading roles, for Steven and Catherine their support is woven into the life of the company they love.
“Our immense gratitude to Katherine and RNZB for making this experience so special for us.”
Catherine Fyfe and Katherine Minor in the RNZB Studios, 2024. Photo: Stephen A’Court
Becoming part of the RNZB family
Partners play an essential role in sustaining the work of the RNZB. Their support helps us bring world-class ballet to communities across Aotearoa. In return, partners gain a deeper connection to the art form and the people who bring it to life. Many, like Steven and Catherine, stay in the programme for years, following one dancer’s journey or, sometimes, pairing with a new dancer as careers move on. They are, in every sense, part of our RNZB family.
If you’d like to learn more about the Partner a Dancer programme, we’d be delighted to talk. Your financial support, and just as importantly, your friendship, can make a real difference to a dancer’s time at the RNZB. It might just enrich yours as well.
Contact Susie Lees-Jeffries at susannah@rnzb.org.nz or 021 245 4329