Meet Our People: Sarah

Sarah Davies | Photographer

Ballet -My favourite ballet is After the Rain by Christopher Wheeldon. This 9-minute piece was chosen to be a part of the New Zealand School of Dance Graduation season 2018, where I first saw it. The music instantly drew me into the world of the two lone dancers on stage. I love the integration of technical movement alongside more experimental contemporary ballet to portray this sombre story. To me it was about mutual loss and grief, yet instead of falling into the sadness, the couple instead find a strength in each other. It was a piece like I’ve never seen.

Collect(ive) - When I was a child, I used to collect coins and notes. Living in Dubai with my family I was very fortunate to have visited some amazing countries. My father also used to travel a lot for work and he (as well as other family members and friends) would bring me back coins from his travels. Some of the countries include France, Jordan, the USA, Norway, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Thailand. I love thinking about the journey of how the money has travelled from person to person. More recently, I have taken an interest in collecting old books, especially those centred around education and dance. I love to read and observe how language was used in the past and how world views have changed since the book was published.

Aotearoa - Whakapapa Village in the north island. With a quick trip up to Mt Ruapehu and a view of Mt Ngauruhoe, it is easily Number 1 on my list. Going on treks around the outskirts of the village, the breathtaking views of green, grey and red natural terrain left me speechless and immensely grateful to call this beautiful country my home. Untouched nature definitely has a special energy; an almost transcendant aura about it, and I love being able to feel this around me. The rocks, flowers and rivers of Whakapapa were a big photographical inspiration to me, documenting the beauty of such a place. Many of the photos I took hang in my room and are included in my online photography portfolio.

Home - I was born here in NZ, but moved to Dubai when I was 7 to be closer to my dad who was working in the military at the time. I spent almost 11 years there, finishing my school certificate. I moved back to NZ to Kapiti, before moving to central Wellington to study. I feel lucky to call two countries home, and for all the opportunities and experiences the Middle East gave me, but I am happy to be back in NZ, living in the amazing city of Wellington! 

Training - I trained at the New Zealand School of Dance as a contemporary major, graduating in 2019. I worked a lot with the media department during my time there, and have always had a passion for photography that I pursued alongside my time at the school. I consider myself self-taught, but I did learn the basics through some community taught classes and back in high school art. I’m looking to expand my knowledge and experience in the field.


Highlights - My career in photography has only just begun, so I would have to say working here at the Ballet Collective Aotearoa! The people are incredible, the creativity is high and the energy is exuberant. 


Favourite Jam - My favourite jam would definitely be “You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon. It’s a classic, and forever my favourite jam to dance to.

Photography: Sarah Davies, Sarah Kaye Photography