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PROJECT MOMENTUM WORKSHOP SERIES | Masterclass with Airu MatsudaPresented by Dance Ōtepoti in collaboration with Footnote New Zealand Dance, join Footnote artist Airu Matsuda for a community dance workshop as part of PROJECT MOMENTUM this Labour Weekend.
Through guided improvisation, participants will discover different ways of moving before learning a movement phrase inspired by the ideas explored together.
Open to all levels of movement and dance experience.
Ages 14 yrs +
Monday 26th October, 10.30am - 12.00pm
Stuart Hall, Knox Church Ground, 449 George St, Central Dunedin
FREE (bookings essential)
ABOUT AIRU:
Airu Matsuda is a New Zealand born Japanese artist and graduate of the New Zealand School of Dance and Ev & Bow Full time Dance Training Centre.
Airu’s interests as an artist lie in how he can continue to carry and uphold his own dance history and use it in his exploration of movement. Having started his dance training in breakdance, he enjoys exploring how this can instigate ideas and be shown through his movement research. Airu is driven by the love of sharing a space with other collaborators and learning and being inspired by what others have to offer in the space.
After Graduating from New Zealand School of Dance in 2021, Airu has had the privilege of working as a dancer with Threading Frames on two of their films, Close to Telling and Walk with me. He has also worked with Good Company Arts on their films Tiger (Silver Lotus) and Dragon with the later being presented live in Tokyo, Japan in 2024. Both of the films have gone on to winning awards around the world including Best Dance Film, Best VFX and Best Experimental Film.
In 2023, Airu joined Footnote New Zealand Dance where he has performed works around Aotearoa and Japan. He continues to discover and develop as an artist, being inspired by everyone around him.
ABOUT PROJECT MOMENTUM:
Project Momentum marks the culmination of Jeremy Beck’s 2026 Caroline Plummer Fellowship in Community Dance at the University of Otago.
For this final performance, a cast of Ōtepoti community dancers will share the stage with four guest artists from Footnote New Zealand Dance and Atamira Dance Company.
Directed by Jeremy Beck and accompanied by live music, the performance is created through improvisation - bringing the full cast together in a work that is responsive, spontaneous and unique to the moment.
Presented at the Glenroy Auditorium over Labour Weekend, Project Momentum celebrates a legacy of community dance in Ōtepoti and the people who make it happen.
Project Momentum is made possible with funding support from the University of Otago and Dance Ōtepoti, venue support from Dunedin Venues through the Community Access Grant, and artistic collaboration with Atamira Dance Company and Footnote New Zealand Dance.
Sunday 25 October 2026 | Glenroy Auditorium, Ōtepoti
2pm & 7pm | FREE
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Event venue
449 George St, North Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand, 449 George St, North Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand, Dunedin
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