Neil Ieremia is arguably New Zealand’s most accomplished choreographer, a creative entrepreneur and inspirational leader. Motivated to provide a different perspective and fresh voice in the dance scene, Ieremia founded Black Grace in 1995. Since then, he has changed the face of contemporary dance in New Zealand and turned Black Grace into one of the most recognizable and iconic cultural brands. His Company tours the length and breadth of New Zealand developing new audiences and a new appreciation for dance. Internationally, his work has been presented Australasia, Europe, Asia and North America. Neil received a 2005 Arts Laureate Award and in 2016, was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to dance.

Of Filipino and Malaysian heritage, Demi-Jo is originally from Australia and graduated from the New Zealand School of Dance in 2015 with a Diploma in Dance Performance. Demi-Jo made her professional debut touring with Black Grace to France and the Netherlands in 2016, performing in Human Language, Mother Mother and Gathering Clouds. Demi-Jo has also performed in Another Letter from Earth, As Night Falls and Crying Men, touring with the Company to Taiwan, the United States, UAE and throughout New Zealand.

Of Samoan descent, Rodney grew up in West Auckland and first discovered dance as a teenager, partaking in cultural performances and hip-hop. After graduating with a Bachelor in Performing and Screen Arts majoring in Contemporary Dance in 2015, Rodney made his professional debut on an international tour with Black Grace to the United States of America in 2017. Rodney has performed in As Night Falls, Pati Pati, Minoi, and Mother Mother, an an original cast member in Crying Men, O Le Olaga - Life and Paradise Rumour.

Born and raised in Samoa, Faith’s first experience in dance was with traditional Siva Samoa. Since moving to New Zealand in 2008, Faith has competed in numerous hip hop competitions and completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Performing Arts and Screen Arts in 2019. Faith has taught at various dance academies and first worked with Black Grace in 2021 on The Art of Black Grace 1/5, a large-scale digital immersive experience. Faith has performed in The Outsiders’ Ball and was rehearsal assistant for the Company’s 2022 tour of the USA. Faith was cast in Neil Ieremia’s latest full-length work, Paradise Rumour, performing in the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Aotearoa.

Of Samoan descent, Vincent graduated from the Manukau Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Creative Arts – Performing Arts in 2019. Vincent has multiple interests alongside dance, also working in theatre, television, music and youth development, which has seen him perform throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas for various projects. Vincent first worked with Black Grace on the 2022 tour of the United States, subsequently joining the Company for the debut of Paradise Rumour in Sharjah, UAE and following tours.

Leki Jackson-Bourke is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary creative/performing artist of Niuean, Tongan and Samoan descent. A graduate of the former Pacific Institute of Performing Arts in Auckland, Leki has worked freelance in the arts industry for over 10 years and has toured Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, USA, Europe and the Pacific through multiple Pacific Theatre productions. In 2018, Leki choreographed Tick Tick Boom! for The Guerrilla Collection, a free Pacific festival produced by Neil Ieremia and Black Grace, and since then has joined Black Grace for multiple domestic and international tours.

Deija is a Tauranga-born movement artist of Fijian, New Zealand European and American descent. Deija graduated in 2023 with a Diploma in Dance Performance and Diploma in Dance. Following some short contracts with other New Zealand-based companies, in 2024 Deija successfully auditioned for Company B, Black Grace’s project for emerging dancers and was subsequently offered a full-time contract with the Company. This tour marks Deija’s international debut.