Bianca Hyslop (Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue-kaipapa, Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wāhiao, Pākehā) is a pivotal figure in the Māori contemporary dance landscape, recognised for over fifteen years of impactful contributions that resonate both nationally and internationally. Recently appointed as the Kaihautū of Atamira Dance Company, Bianca takes on a vital leadership role, responsible for the company’s artistic and operational vision.
Atamira Dance Company has been a foundational pillar in Bianca’s career, shaping her artistic journey and supporting her evolution as an independent artist. Bianca recently co-choreographed the company’s double bill program, ‘Ka Mua Ka Muri,’ which premiered at Q Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau in July 2024. Her work ‘Whakamaheahea,’ was praised as “...slick, extremely contemporary, and entirely captivating” NZ Arts Review Malcolm Calder
Throughout her career, Bianca has been deeply involved in the Aotearoa dance community, collaborating with esteemed companies such as The New Zealand Dance Company and Ōkāreka Dance Company. In recent years, she has co-directed and choreographed alongside her partner and artist Rowan Pierce, creating celebrated works such as ‘He Huia Kaimanawa’ and ‘Pōhutu,’ which have significantly impacted the Aotearoa performing arts industry.
“He Huia Kaimanawa: This dance work is so special and everyone in this country should experience it! Masterful performances, design, tech and storytelling. You could spend a while being blown away by the amazing high quality stage design and tech use, which yes is exceptional, but what really hit into my core was the weaving of different people's personal stories of Te Reo Māori, with hauntingly emotive cross-cultural contemporary dance that encapsulated the tensions of the worlds Māori sit in everyday in Aotearoa.”
Olivia Taouma
"Pōhutu is astonishing. Not astonishing in the hyperbolic sense but in a my-heart-is-retreating-further-into-my-chest sense of the word."
Pantograph Punch, Matariki Williams
In addition to her artistic endeavors, Bianca completed Heke Poutuarongo Reo in 2023, a three-year immersion degree in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga through Te Wānanga o Raukawa. Her accolades include the FAME Mid-Career Award (2024, PANNZ), the Tup Lang Choreographic Award (2019, CNZ), and the Eileen May Norris Scholarship (2013). Her academic background also includes a Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts from Unitec (2009).
Bianca Hyslop’s dedication to Māori storytelling through the transformative medium of contemporary dance continues to shape the future of the art form, inspiring new generations of artists and audiences alike.
Upon her appointment as Kaihautū, Bianca expressed, “I feel honoured to take on the role of Kaihautū of Atamira Dance Company and acknowledge the dedication and passion of those who paved the way before me. I look forward to the opportunity to support, nurture, and advance the vision of Atamira at this time of reflection, as we look to the past to move forward into the future.”
Dance / Choreographic History:
2024
‘Rua’
The New Zealand Dance Company
Tempo Dance Festival, Auckland
Performer
‘Whenua’
The New Zealand Dance Company
Touring The Netherlands, Germany and Aotearoa
Performer
‘Suara/Oro Rua’
Waiwhakaata Performance
Singapore International Arts Festival Performer
‘Ka Mua Ka Muri - Whakamaheahea’
Atamira Dance Company
Choreographer
‘In-Transit' - Moko, Haka
The New Zealand Dance Company
Chung Mu Festival, Korea
Performer
2023
‘Pohutu’
Bianca Hyslop & Rowan Pierce
Aronui Arts Festival Choreographer/Performer
‘He Huia Kaimanawa’
Bianca Hyslop & Rowan Pierce
Auckland Arts Festival, Kia Mau Festival
Choreographer/Performer
2022
‘Pōhutukawa’ Film Installation/Live Activation
Bianca Hyslop & Rowan Pierce
Māoriland
Co-Directors
'Tomo VR’
Atamira Dance Company
Premiered and toured from 2022: Doc Edge XR Exhibition, Matriarchs Uprising - Vancouver, SXSW - Sydney
Performer in VR film
2021
‘Te Mauri o Pōhutu’ Installation/Live Activation
Bianca Hyslop & Rowan Pierce
Kia Mau Festival
Co-Directors
2020
‘Hōkioi/Vwōhali’
Ōkāreka Dance Company
New Zealand Festival
Assistant Choreographer
2019
‘Meremere’
Movement of the Human
Performer
‘Pōhutu’
Bianca Hyslop & Rowan Pierce
Co-Director/Choreographer/Performer
‘Tomo’
Atamira Dance Company
Gabrielle Thomas
Performer
‘Karakia’
Manu Dance Collective
Macau International Youth Dance Festival
Choreographer
‘City of 100 Lovers’ (2018-2019)
Sky City Theatre
Ensemble Performer
2018
‘Mana Wahine’
Ōkāreka Dance Company (2015-2018)
Tour to Hawaii, Australia, Tahiti, Netherlands, New Zealand
Performer
‘Interwoven: Marks on the Land, Marks on the Body’
IMovingLab
Commonwealth Games Gold Coast
Performer
'I Land 2018'
IMovingLab
Gibney Dance, New York Performer/Choreographer/Rehearsal Director
‘Pōwhiri’
Unitec Dance Showcase - graduation season
Choreographer
2017
‘Atamira’
Atamira Dance Company
Kelly Nash
Performer
2016
‘A Murmuration’
The New Zealand Dance Company
Bianca Hyslop
Choreographer
'The Indigenous Dance Residency'
The Banff Centre
Professional Development/Performer
'The Beautiful Ones'
Tawata Productions
Performer
2015
‘Mitimiti’
Atamira Dance Company
Jack Gray
Performer
‘The World's Futures’
Salva Sanchis, La Biennale di Venezia
Performer
'Te Manu Ahi - The Firebird'
Atamira Dance Company + Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
Performer
‘Re-Quickening, Blood Tides and Blood Water Earth’
Video Installation, Louise Pōtiki Bryant
Performer
2014
‘Maado’
Ōkāreka Dance Company
Performance Noumea
Cultural Exchange/Performer
‘Moko’
Atamira Dance Company, Moss Patterson
Korea, China
Performer
2013
‘Kaha’ (Short Works)
Atamira Dance Company
Performed at Solomon Islands Pacific Dance Festival, Asia Pacific Dance Festival in Honolulu, San Francisco International Arts Festival, Beijing Dance Festival, Chang Mu Dance Festival in Seoul, and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Massachusetts
Performer
World of Wearable Arts
Director: Malia Johnston
Performer
2012
World of Wearable Arts
Director Malia Johnston
Performer
'Nga Hau E Wha'
Ōkāreka Dance Company
Performer
‘Whero’
Moana Nepia
Performer
2011
‘Te Kārohirohi’
Te Whare Tapere, Louise Potiki Bryant + Ōrotokare, Art, Story, Motion
Performer
‘Ngai Tahu 32’
Louise Potiki Bryant, Atamira Dance Company
Performer
‘Te Kārohirohi’
Te Whare Tapere, Louise Potiki Bryant + Ōrotokare, Art, Story, Motion
Performer
2010
‘Whetū’
Atamira Dance Company
Performer
‘Taonga’
Louise Potiki Bryant, Atamira Dance Company
Performer