Valerie Murray is celebrating 60 years of dance education with a spectacular jubilee event at the Civic Theatre, The Edge on December 11^th 2011.

Valerie Murray is celebrating 60 years of dance education with a spectacular jubilee event at the Civic Theatre, The Edge on December 11^th 2011.

60 years ago, Valerie Murray began her ballet classes in the Mangere East Hall with just two girls.  This lesson was the beginning of an extraordinary career, spanning six decades involving thousands of children and scores of teachers and dancers all over the world.

In December 2011, we invite all ex pupils, parents, teachers and supporters of SABA Young Ballet to join with us to celebrate this remarkable woman and teacher, with the Diamond Jubilee of SABA.    It will also be a time to mark the end of an era, as Valerie retires from the school at the end of 2011.

We are delighted that the Diamond Jubilee will be held at the Civic Theatre in the centre of Auckland City. For many dancers it is their dream and highlight of their careers to dance on the Civic Theatre stage, so it promises to be a big night for attendees and performers alike.

This will be a fun filled day, complete with a roll call through the decades of students and teachers, masterclasses for current pupils which are open to the public andIn the evening the recital of SABA and a ballet for the jubilee staring current major pupils and ex-pupils.

We are thrilled to announce that Jude Dobson, a former pupil of Val Murray’s will be the Master of Ceremony’s again for the Rollcall at the start of the day.  Nicola Searchfield (First Dancer and Soloist with Royal Ballet, London) will teach the Classical masterclass and leading contemporary dancer Taiaroa Royale will be taking the contemporary masterclass.

Valerie Murray is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated dance educators and in 2002 she was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for her services to dance.  This was a culmination of a life’s work dedicated to the education of dancers.  Since 1952, she has prepared hundreds of students for RAD Major exams, produced 10 Solo Seal passes and winners in the RAD Scholarship, NZ Bursary, AGC Awards, Christina Laird and John Logan Awards, NZ National Awards, Paul Hammond, Alexander Grant and Rowena Jackson Scholarships and medal winners in the Prix de Lausanne and Genee Awards.  Her past pupils have gone on to gain entry into The Royal Ballet (London), The Australian Ballet, The Royal New Zealand Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet and other prestigious companies around the world. In 1992 she was honoured by the RAD with their RAD Presidents Award for her long association and deciation to The Royal Academy of Dance.

After having five boys, she is finding now that her legacy continues with her four granddaughters, all of whom learn dance through her study and her eldest granddaughter Grace Murray, following in her footsteps as a teacher.

December 11^th will prove to be a celebration of a unique and gifted teacher and the legacy and love of dance that she has engendered in others over the past 60 years.

We are encouraging all ex pupils, parents and teachers to register keep up to date with what is going on and be part of the days events.  Registration is $20 for which you will receive a special commemorative programme including your name as part of the official rollcall in the programme

SABA Diamond Jubilee
11^th December 2011
The Civic at The Edge
All day including roll call and memories of former pupils and teachers
Classical Masterclass by former Royal Ballet ballerina Nicola Searchfield and a Contemporary Masterclass with Taiaroa Royale.
SABA 2011 Recital and Jubilee Ballet featuring past and present pupils