People

Karen Fraser Payne has recently stepped down as Chair of the Board and taken up the newly created role of General Manager. With a background in tourism and communications, Karen was private secretary tourism for Prime Minister John Key and associate Minister of Tourism, Jonathan Coleman. Prior to this Karen was for 8 years corporate communications manager for Auckland Airport.

As the parent of a child who has a disability Karen has experienced first-hand how difficult it is for her daughter to be socially valued. She believes Touch Compass is a pioneer in New Zealand’s performing arts. Inclusive performance breaks down social barriers and confronts traditional audiences’ perceptions of dance and who can dance. Disabled dancers combined with the company’s spectacular aerial work have created a new genre of performance that demonstrates what genuinely can be achieved through collaboration and inclusion.

Catherine Chappell – Treasurer

Catherine is a dancer, teacher, choreographer and currently training to be a Watsu practitioner. Catherine founded Touch Compass in 1997 and is known for her pioneering work in both Integrated Dance and Contact Improvisation in New Zealand. She is the Artistic Director and founder of Touch Compass and has performed for many great NZ choreographers when she danced in LIMBS Dance Company (1986-88). While in Europe she performed with dance/theatre Company Vivienne Newport, Germany (1988-89) performing in Germany and Italy. She has been on the faculty of UNITEC, School of Performing & Screen Arts, since 1991 and a guest tutor at The NZ School of Dance and The University of Otago School of Physical Education. In 1996 Catherine trained in mixed ability dance with Alito Alessi at the 1st DanceAbility International Teacher Training in Eugene Oregon.

Suzanne Cowan - Trustee

Suzanne has worked with Touch Compass since 1999, performing in Resin8 99, Ten of Hearts 05, The Big, The Bad and The Beautiful and Acquisitions 06. She has worked her way around the world as a dancer, working full-time for CandoCo Dance Company based in London from 2000-2003. She worked with world renowned choreographers Javier de Frutos, Doug Elkins, and Finn Walker and this encouraged her to follow her own choreographic career. Since returning to New Zealand she has worked with Touch Compass as both a dancer and choreographer creating Hephaestus & Ares 05 and Rite of Passage 06. Suzanne performed an acclaimed duet with Auckland choreographer, Sean Curham, Bedrock for his February 07 season. She has also studied choreography at UNITEC and is currently working on an MCPA in dance at Auckland University. As a dancer/choreographer with a disability, Suzanne is writing a thesis on how dance and disability can be combined as a powerful way of shifting perceptions around disability.

Carolyn Gibson - Acting Chairperson

Joining as a Trustee in 2008, Carolyn’s background is in journalism and public relations. Following six years in corporate communications roles, Carolyn is now Communications Manager at Qualmark – New Zealand’s official mark of quality in tourism. There, Carolyn is responsible for marketing, public relations, advertising, branding and publications. Carolyn has a passion for the arts, especially dance, and looks forward to contributing her PR skills to Touch Compass. Carolyn first provided assistance to Touch Compass in the lead up to their 2007 national tour.