That's Snow Business Corey's Mountain Of A Challenge

What do you do when dancing around the world is no longer challenging enough?

- Lynley Ward

When the camera is pointed at one of New Zealand’s most creative talents, it’s not surprising when our photoshoot gets tipped upside down – or ends up underneath a seat.

Kiwi choreographer Corey Baker (28) just can’t help but take things to the next level, especially when he’s excited to be reunited with his mum.

Dawn Baker (55) is on hand to watch her UK-based son rehearse dancers from the Royal New Zealand Ballet ahead of the launch of his latest work, The Last Dance. But she is also happy to oblige for the Weekly, relishing being more than a spectator on this special afternoon inside Wellington’s majestic St James Theatre.

“We were sitting on the seat and he decided, ‘Why don’t I just go underneath it?’” she laughs.

Dawn has always championed Corey’s creativity – even when it meant watching him leave home at age 16 to pursue his dance dream across the Tasman.

Describing him as “a very creative boy from the get-go”, she says Corey has always loved performing. When he was a kid, their home’s front verandah became a stage for neighbourhood magic shows and their spare room became a space where imaginary worlds came to life.

“Mum’s got these amazing photos of my childhood and they’re filled with sheets! I know everyone does that as a kid, but it’s so interesting how it transcended into my adult life.”

Corey vividly recalls the moment during an open-air performance of Sinbad when he was just seven years old that led him to the stages of Europe’s most spectacular concert halls.