Welcome to the Inspire Professional Development Program: Primary F-6
In this 90 minute, artist-led workshop, you will explore the choreographic processes and recent works of First Nations artist Ngioka Bunda-Heath.
View the workshop
Download your resources
Artist information & curriculum links
Big Heart Story introduction
Big Heart Story lesson plans
About Ngioka Bunda-Heath
Ngioka Bunda-Heath is Wakka Wakka, Ngugi from Queensland (matrilineal) and Biripi from New South Wales (patrilineal). She completed her Advanced Diploma in the Performing Arts (Dance) at the Aboriginal Centre of the Performing Arts and her Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance) at the Victorian College of the Arts.
After graduating VCA, she accepted a traineeship with Bangarra Dance Theatre with their Youth Education Program Rekindling. Ngioka is currently a Performer and Choreographer for Mariaa Randall’s Indigenous Female Dance Company DUBAIKUNGKAMIYALK (DKM). She has travelled overseas, dancing in Noumea, New Caledonia with Compine Maado, Banff in Canada as part of the International Indigenous Dance Residency and took part of the World Dance Alliance in France. Ngioka performed in Los Angeles for the International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference and Festival and attended the First Nations Dialogues in New York.
About the Big Heart Story Education Resource
The Big Heart Story Education Resource offers students unique insight into Contemporary Aboriginal dance and culture. Developed by Ausdance VIC/NSW in 2018 and updated in 2024, the education resource builds on the themes, stories and issues that lay within the choreography of Big Dance [BIG HEART STORY], choreographed by renowned choreographers Frances Rings and Craig Bary.
The comprehensive education package includes:
- An introduction and general advice
- Detailed unit plan aligned to the Curriculum
- 8-10 lesson plans per unit
- Teaching tips on inclusion and access, safe spaces, warming up and down, working to the strengths of your students, and protocols for Indigenous dance
Explore the Big Dance: Big Heart Story website >>
Acknowledgements
This program was presented in partnership with Dancehouse with the supported of the Department of Education, Victoria, through the Strategic Partnerships Program.
