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 workshop support tutor. In 2025 her role within WIDance expanded as an essential behind the scenes team member providing 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 Vacancy
Kāpiti
KAPITI VOLUNTEER VACANCY!!!
Could you be our next Kāpiti Volunteer Support Tutor?
We are looking for a volunteer Dance Assistant to help out in our Kāpiti classes. Our Kāpiti Open Class runs for 8 weeks each term on Wednesday evenings from 6.00 to 7.30pm in Paraparaumu. Dance and disability experience is not necessary, but a willingness to support, move and have fun is! Our dance assistants are valuable, integral members of the team.
Contact us to find out more!
Volunteer Support Tutor Vacancy
Levin
LEVIN VOLUNTEER VACANCY!!!
Could you be our next Levin Volunteer Support Tutor?
We are looking for a volunteer Dance Assistant to help out in our Levin classes. Our Levin Open Class runs for 8 weeks each term on Wednesdays from 11am - 12pm in Levin. Dance and disability experience is not necessary, but a willingness to support, move and have fun is!
Our dance assistants are valuable, integral members of the team.
Contact us to find out more!
Kia ora from our WIDance Patron
Paula Tesoriero MNZM PLY
Paula Tesoriero is Chief Executive at Whaikaha - The Ministry of Disabled People. A law, Politics and Public Management graduate from Victoria University, Paula previously worked in private and public practice in law and policy. Prior to her current role, she was the Disability Rights Commissioner.
A Paralympian who won gold and two bronze medals at the Beijing Summer Paralympics in 2008, Paula went on to win Word Champion titles on the road and velodrome. Her services to cycling were recognised when she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009. She retired as an athlete in 2011 but still rides her bike as many days a week as she can, on the road and around the Wellington Mountain Bike Tracks.
Paula has served on several boards including the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation, New Zealand Artificial Limb Service, Sport Wellington and Paralympics New Zealand and was a member of the New Zealand Sports Tribunal for 10 years. She was the Chef de Mission for the Tokyo 2020 NZ Paralympic Team.
Living in Wellington with her husband Peter and their three children, Paula currently serves on the Board of Wellington College. Welcomed to the WIDance whānau in December 2025, Paula is super excited to be the first Patron of WIDance because it aligns completely with her passion for inclusion and supporting Disabled People to thrive.
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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.
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.
