Janet Munyarryun facts for kids

Guypunura "Janet" Munyarryun was born around the 1960s. She is an Aboriginal dancer, a person who creates dances (a choreographer), and a teacher (tutor). Janet was one of the first people to help start the famous Bangarra Dance Theatre.

Janet's Early Life and Dance Journey

Janet Munyarryun was born in Yirrkala. This is a community located in Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory of Australia. She grew up in a place called Garthalala. As a young girl, she traveled with her family. They moved across the land to help create a new community named Dhalinybuy. Janet is a Yolngu woman. She belongs to the Wangnurri clan.

Starting Her Career in Dance

In 1984, Janet began working in Sydney. She joined the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA) Dance College. Here, she started special workshops. These workshops taught traditional dance to students living in cities. She also helped to create the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Dance Theatre (AIDT). She worked there as a choreographer and a tutor.

Becoming a Founding Member of Bangarra

The Bangarra Dance Theatre was formed in 1989. Janet Munyarryun was one of its founding members. This means she was there from the very beginning. Her daughter, Rarriwuy Hick, later shared a special memory. She said her mother was dancing at Bangarra while pregnant with her. After Rarriwuy was born, Janet took her to all the rehearsals and performances.

Sharing Culture and Tradition

Janet Munyarryun continues to be a cultural advisor for Bangarra. She makes sure their performances follow the old stories and songs of her people. She has also given advice to the Australian Ballet.

In May 2012, Janet performed in England. She danced with an Aboriginal dance group at Windsor Castle. This was part of the celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. She also helped start the Bunggul Djama Arts Alliance. This group helps Yolngu people create performance art.

In 2013, Janet worked on a dance show called The Morning Star. She also performed in it. This show traveled between Arnhem Land and the Mirramu Creative Arts Centre. The centre is near Lake George in Bungendore, NSW.

Dance Performances

• 1997-1999 – Fish, with Bangarra Dance Theatre
• 2012 – Infinity: Warumuk − in the dark night, as a vocalist, with Bangarra Dance Theatre
• 2013 – The Morning Star

Awards and Recognition

• 2012 – Dancer of the Year, at the Deadly Awards

Janet's Family

Janet has a younger brother named Djakapurra Munyarryun. He is also a performance artist and dancer. He was also one of the first members of the Bangarra Dance Theatre.

Janet's children are Rarriwuy Hick and Guruguru Hick. Rarriwuy is an actress and dancer. Guruguru Hick is a rap artist.