News
Dancer from New Zealand wins Izzie Award
Rodney Bell and Sonsheree Giles from AXIS Dance Company in San Francisco have received the 2009 Isadora Duncan Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Performance - Ensemble (2007-2008 season). This Award promotes the highest level of artistic achievement and celebrates the unique richness, diversity and excellence of dance in San Francisco, USA.
Rodney is of Maori descent from the Ngati Maniapoto Iwi (Tribe) of New Zealand (Aotearoa). He began dancing 13 years ago with Touch Compass Dance Company, New Zealand’s first mixed ability dance company. He also choreographed dance works for Touch Compass.
In July 2007, Rodney joined AXIS Dance Company. He also teaches mixed ability dance to those with and without disabilities and is constantly sharing his technique and knowledge through various workshops and dance intensives.
Rodney and Sonsheree Giles received the award for Ensemble Performance of Alex Ketley's "To Color Me Different" at the 2008 WestWave Dance Festival.
Rodney's other pursuits include representing New Zealand from 1996 to 2006 playing wheelchair basketball; working as an occupational therapy assistant; featuring in programs such as 60 Minutes, Good Morning Show, and Maori Television; acting in various plays; and performing with Poutokomanawa (Maori Kapa haka group). He shows great passion towards the performing arts, Maori culture and disability culture and in his own words “It fulfills my soul.”
Image courtesy Michael Maloney/The Chronicle