Val Deakin

Val Deakin
ONZM
Born
New Plymouth
Alma materArts Educational School, Royal Ballet School
AwardsNew Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal 1993, Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Valerie Ann Deakin ONZM is a New Zealand dancer, choreographer and dance teacher. Deakin danced, choreographed and taught in the UK, Turkey and the US before returning to New Zealand. She established a dance school and theatre trust in Taranaki, which celebrated their fiftieth anniversay in 2022. In 1993 Deakin was awarded a New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal. In 2024 she was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to dance.

Early life and education

Deakin was born in New Plymouth,[1] and attended dance classes as a four year old in New Plymouth, and later moved to Wellington.[2] She trained at the Arts Education Schools in London, and also gained a scholarship to attend the Royal Ballet School.[3]

International career

Deakin danced with the Royal Ballet and in Ankara in Turkey.[3] An invitation to perform in the US led to Deakin setting up a dance company in Washington D.C.[3] Deakin performed, taught and choreographed for the National Ballet in Washington, Maryland Ballet, and Manhattan Festival Ballet.[3][4][5]

New Zealand career

Returning to New Zealand in 1972, Deakin founded the a dance school, teaching ballet, jazz, tap and modern dance.[2][3] The following year she established the Val Deakin Dance Theatre Trust, to present dance performances and conduct dance education across Taranaki and nationally.[3] In 2023 the Val Deakin Dance Theatre Trust celebrated its fiftieth anniversary.[2][6] Deakin retired as a teacher in 2022, aged 87.[3]

Honours and awards

In 1993 Deakin was awarded a New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal. The medals were awarded to people who had made a significant contribution to women's rights or women's issues in New Zealand. Deakin had written a ballet, Steps in Time, which celebrated the centennial of women's suffrage, and dance pioneers.[7][2] In 2018 she wrote Just in Time for the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage, using parts of Steps in Time, and covering both suffrage and the impacts of World War II on New Zealand women.[8]

In the 2024 New Year Honours Deakin was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to dance.[3]

References

  1. ^ "About | Val Deakin Dance Theatre". Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Harvey, Helen (23 May 2023). "The Taranaki dancer with a cupboard full of 'right feet'". Stuff. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "New Year Honours List 2024 - Citations for Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)". www.dpmc.govt.nz. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  4. ^ Werth, David. "Maryland Ballet - Val Deakin's "Touch and Go"". Photography by David Werth. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  5. ^ Shennan, Jennifer (22 October 2014), "Ballet - Expansion and security, 1980s to 2000s", Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, retrieved 6 November 2024
  6. ^ Robinson, Michelle (2 October 2024). "Cafe connections traverses genres and time". The Post www.thepost.co.nz. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  7. ^ "The New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal 1993 - Register of recipients | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)". www.dpmc.govt.nz. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  8. ^ Boult, Kris (28 October 2018). "Ballet commemorates 125 years of women's suffrage". Stuff. Retrieved 7 November 2024.