‘lronic’ timing of ballet foundation

Press, 18 June 1982, Page 18

‘lronic’ timing of ballet foundation

PA Wellington The formation of a foundation to assist New Zealand dance and ballet has been described as ironical by the director of the National School of Ballet, Miss Anne Rowse.

The Dorothy Daniels Foundation, which will commemorate the work and service of Dorothy Bezzant (nee Daniels) to ballet, was set up as the New Zealand Ballet announced a reduction in the size of its company. Miss Rowse said that the foundation was "rather incongruous.” “I am beginning to feel very happy with what we are doing here. We are building up strength and beginning to train dancers in the way I think they should be trained," she said. “But it is rather ironical at

a time like this, when the school is going so well, that the outlets for the dancers are closing down,” said Miss Rowse. The foundation fund opened with a gift of $2OOO from the Bezzant family, and already that has been doubled through gifts from friends and associates of Miss Daniels. A member of the original board of the New Zealand School of Ballet, Miss Daniels was its director for three years. She was involved with ballet until her death, last year.

The trust will be administered by a board comprising Miss Rowse, Sir Patrick O’Dea, Mr John Todd, Mr James Osborne, and Mr Des Bezzant. The money will go towards the teaching, study, and performance of ballet,

and will also assist to form scholarships and fellowships. It will not be used to assist the New Zealand Ballet company directly. "It is geared to help individual students,” said the secretary of the National School, Miss Dawn Sanders. Some of the trust money will be invested so it can gain interest. A campaign to encourage donations to the trust will be launched. The trust will award at its discretion, and will probably be more than $lOOO.