WCOPA News

Dina says "I don't think I can remember a time when I wasn't passionate about the performing arts!”

Growing up in South Africa, Dina was very fortunate to have had regular exposure to good quality performances in all areas of the performing arts, especially dance, acting and singing.  Dina started her involvement in the world of modeling as a photographic model at the age of 17 and has been involved in modeling and pageants ever since.  Dina is an accredited pageant judge and has judged numerous international pageants.  Over the years she has been a judge at many performing arts competitions in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Dina’s association with WCOPA started when both her daughters successfully represented South Africa and New Zealand.

In 2007, Dina established Accolades International Marketing Ltd. New Zealand (AIM), a performing arts talent scouting business.  The vision of AIM is to reach everyone who is passionate about the Performing Arts in New Zealand and to provide the opportunity for exposure and development in his/her performing career.  Furthermore, their aim is to create a platform for up and coming performers to showcase their talent on a national and international level.  The first team of KIWI performers left the shores in 2007 to represent NZ at WCOPA. After the success of 2007, Dina was offered the license for Australia as well.  In 2008, Accolades International Marketing Australia was born.

Since 2007 more than 100 talented performing artists competed successfully at WCOPA.  These talented New Zealanders have proven themselves on the world stage bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals, scholarships, industry awards and overall world champion awards.

Dina is very proud of some of the successes of previous team members. To name a few:

• Andrew Papas was the finalist in the 2012 showcase returns to New Zealand where he is selected as a member of the New Zealand’s hottest new boy band, Titanium. Titanium was founded by The Edge radio station (one of the top radio stations in NZ).  Their debut single “Come On Home” crashing into the official new single chart at #1.
• Kelly Webster makes it two in a row for New Zealand when she wins the coveted Senior Dance Champion of the World title in 2012.  Kelly will be taking up her Millennium dance scholarship in July 2013.
• Hayden Withers wins the overall senior dancer of the world in 2011. He will be returning to the USA in July 2013 to further his dancing career.
• Lisa Caulton returns to New Zealand after a successful WCOPA win. Shelley Sondheim, President/ CEO CSM Words and Music travels to New Zealand to record her first CD at Roundhead Studios.
• Jessie Hillel progressed to the WCOPA showcase in 2010 and came in second in the 2012 New Zealand’s Got Talent competition. She is currently recording her first CD at the Roundhead Studios which is an Auckland-based sound recording studio owned by the renowned singer and songwriter Neil Finn.
• Amy Finnigan and Stephanie Vos won scholarships to attend Millennium Dance Complex in 2009.  Both are still attending this prestigious dance school.

In 2011 Dina proudly accepted the prestigious Outstanding National Director’s award at the 15th Annual World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood, California.

Dina fully believes Friedrich Nietzsche when he says: “Without music, life would be a mistake”

Each year we look forward to seeing the wonderful talent she brings to WCOPA from New Zealand!

Griff O'Neil
Founder and CEO
World Championships of Performing Arts

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