Meet the team behind WIDance
Artistic Director/Founder/Tutor
Sumara Fraser
Sumara (pictured on left dancing with Jane) is the driving force behind the magic that is WIDance.
Since graduating from the Performing Arts School (now Unitec) in 1994, Sumara has worked consistently as a contemporary dance performer, tutor, and choreographer with various companies across Aotearoa; including Manawa Nui, Footnote Dance, and Touch Compass.
Establishing WIDance in 2010, Sumara is a dedicated advocate for accessibility in the arts and is committed to ensuring everyone has the chance to dance. In 2024 Sumara was selected for remote training with UK based dance company Stopgap, becoming the first from Aotearoa to be trained in the IRIS Syllabus.
Tutor
Duncan Armstrong
Duncan has been dancing professionally since 2015. A founding member of WIDance, as a dancer, support tutor and now tutor. Duncan is also known for his performance work with various production companies including acclaimed disability led arts organisation Touch Compass. He has a long list of credits an actor on stage and in short films; including the award winning ‘Last Man on Earth’ directed by April Phillips.
Duncan is a dedicated advocate for disabled artists and was recently selected to speak at the Nui te Kōrero Creative New Zealand Arts leadership conference 2025.
When not performing you might find Duncan fine tuning his skills on the drums and bass guitar.
Youth Tutor
Kate Waterman
Kate has been a part of the WIDance whānau since 2018 and began teaching our new youth community class in 2024.
Drawing on her experience in caregiving, circus arts and dance, she enjoys helping people express themselves in creative and unconventional ways.
Much loved by our youth dancers, when not dancing Kate enjoys playing board games or hitting the road to visit and catch-up with family.
Support Tutor/Admin Support
Anna Burns
Anna is an experienced teacher and performer who brings an incredible energy as a support tutor to our outreach workshops.
In 2025 WIDance also welcomed Anna's skills as an essential behind the scenes team member in WIDance Admin support.
With a BEd in Art and Special Needs, Anna works as an art and drama tutor to young adults on the Kapiti Coast. She also loves teaching Zumba Gold six times a week and is a pure joy to have on our team.
Website Wrangler
Felicity Hamill
Felicity officially joined the whānau in 2020 as sound operator for our premiere 'The Art of Observation' and returned in 2022 as co stage manager for our 'Platform 12' performance season. From 2022 - 2024 she contributed as our social media coordinator and website wrangler and is currently back in the mix taking care of our website updates once again.
A performer and crew person in the Screen Sector, Felicity is also a trained Access Coordinator and is passionate about removing barriers to the arts.
Volunteer Youth Support Tutor
Kezia Bennett
Kezia is a founding member of WIDance. A valued dancer within our WIDance whānau, Kezia has contributed to various roles within WIDance over the years, from dancer and performer to writer and website wrangler. In late 2024 Kezia began assistant tutoring our popular youth class. She appreciates the lack of rigidity in WIDance’s definition of what ‘dance’ is.
In her spare time, Kezia enjoys reading, listening to music, and participating in activities at her church, where she advocates for accessibility in all ways as often as she can.
Volunteer Support Tutor
Anna Wilson-Goldman
Anna Wilson-Goldman joined the WIDance whānau in 2025 and lives on the Kāpiti Coast with her wonderful partner, tiny dog and two cats.
In her day job she works in leadership and diversity, equity and inclusion.
She loves dance and movement and supporting others to have a fun and safe time.
Volunteer Support Tutor
Marnie Rydon
Marnie began volunteering with WIDance in 2025 supporting our Kāpiti coast classes.
Outside of dance and movement, she enjoys attending concerts, baking and walks with her dog. Marnie loves the WIDance community because it supports inclusion, wellbeing and classes that are always fun!
Volunteer Support Tutor
TBC
Watch this space. Bio coming soon.
Kia ora from our WIDance Patron
Coming soon!
We can't wait to formally introduce you to our brand new WIDance patron...watch this space for updates.
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Meet our Board
Daphne Pilaar
Daphne has been pivotal to the success of WIDance since day one. As a dancer, support tutor, and our WIDance Board Chairperson; Daphne is a special part of the fabric that weaves us together. Alongside WIDance, Daphne is a primary school teacher, grandmother of six, coordinator of the community theatre group Drama Christi, and performs with Crows Feet; a Wellington Women's dance collective.
Deborah Pope
Deborah has worked with premier visual, circus, opera and theatre companies both locally and internationally.
Since returning to New Zealand 18 years ago, Deborah’s company Awkward Productions has produced multiple Wellington Circus Festival productions and helped create the capitals much loved ‘The Circus Hub’. Deborah designed and delivered New Zealand’s first Circus/Dance Degree at Whitireia Polytechnic.
Craig Bennett
 Craig has been a board member since the WIDance trust was founded in 2010, but his involvement with WIDance goes back to the start of our Saturday morning classes; with his daughter Kezia being a foundation member in 2007. Craigs extensive background in accounting and audit comes in handy for his role as WIDance treasurer; a calm, comforting presence on our team.
Laura Stuart
Appointed to the WIDance board in 2024, Laura rekindled her love of dance when she joined WIDance classes in 2016, and loves the freedom of movement and expression that comes with dancing.
In her spare time, she enjoys dancing with her baby girl and watching the joyful moves that she expresses at the sound of rhythm and music.
John Taylor
 Joining the WIDance Board in 2024, John has been involved in disability support services in Aotearoa for over 37 years and continues to work in a variety of roles including direct service roles, operational management, policy formation, political advocacy, governance, organisational development, training, research and consultancy.
In June 2023, John was recognised for his work within the disability sector with a Kings Birthday Honour: an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
New Board Member
Coming Soon... announcing our newest WIDance Board Member.
Watch this space for updates.
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Ngā mihi to our Supporters
Many individuals and organisations have contributed to the launch and continued development of WIDance.
It takes a village to raise a dance family and we couldn’t do it without your hard mahi.
We continue to thank the following for their energy, time, contributions, and ongoing support.
Our Funders
Wellington City Council Me Heke Ki Pōneke Arts and Culture Fund
Lottery Community Grants
Hutt City Creative Communities Scheme
Horowhenua District Council Creative Communities Scheme
Kāpiti Coast District Council Creative Communities Scheme
The Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS)
Thomas George Macarthy Trust
Spectrum Foundation
Our WIDance Whānau
Individuals
Our Incredible Dancers
Family and Caregivers
Support workers
Our generous volunteers
Additional Support Crew
Guest Tutors
Guest Photographers, Designers, Props and Costume Creators, Musicians
Performance Crew and Staging Technicians and more
Organisations
Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards
Arts Access Aotearoa
DANZ
Te Whaea National Dance and Drama Centre
Royal New Zealand Ballet Education Team
Royal Academy of Dance New Zealand
The Shed Creative Space
Thumbs Up Trust
Idea Services
and
Our extended whānau of Inclusive Dance Organisations in Aotearoa and abroad
MUCH AROHA TO ALL!
