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The
Phyllis Haylor Scholarship
Margaret Connon tells Vernon Kemp why
elegible candidates should apply
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Margaret,
is this the first time you have been on the selection
panel for this prestigious Scholarship?
No, I have been fortunate enough to have been involved
several times.
Was
it any different this time?
Yes, it was. The format of the interviews was the same
but I and my colleagues on the panel were particularly
impressed this time by the extremely high standard of
the presentations, which were, without exception, interesting,
well prepared/researched and most professionally presented.
Do
all the candidates talk about the same subject?
No, that's what makes it so interesting. Well in advance
of the interview date, applicants are sent a list of
about six dance related topics to choose from or they
may, if they prefer, introduce a topic of their own,
perhaps about some aspect of dance they are particularly
interested in. In 2008, the candidates gave talks on
six different subjects including:
a) How to attract a wider range of young people into
dance schools
b) Is fitness important for dance or is dance important
for fitness?
c) In your opinion, what is the best image of dance
to portray to the public?
Could you explain exactly what happens during
the interview and what is expected of the candidate?
When the candidate arrives he/she will be greeted and
shown to the reception area where refreshments are available.
At the appointed time the candidate will be introduced
to the members of the selection panel – one representative
from each of the Modern Ballroom, Latin American, Sequence
and DFR Faculties – and will give his/her 10-
minute presentation. This will be followed by a 10-minute
chat during which the panel will ask questions to familiarise
themselves with the candidate's background in dance.
What kind of questions will be asked?
Only questions relating to the candidate's background/future
in dance e.g. How long have you been teaching? In which
Faculties? Do you have experience of teaching children?
Special needs pupils? What are your plans for future
training and development? etc. And that's it! Nothing
at all to be nervous about, and one candidate, of course,
will be awarded the £1000 scholarship to be spent
on future professional training.
Would
you recommend that eligible candidates put themselves
forward for this prestigious scholarship?
Absolutely, there is nothing at all to lose and potentially
much to gain as the 2008 winner, Miss Claire Thompson
can confirm. Most candidates say afterwards that they
enjoyed the experience and that they welcomed the opportunity
to put forward their ideas and opinions on different
dance related topics. The ISTD is constantly on the
lookout for ‘new faces’ who are enthusiastic
and keen to get involved in the future in committee
work, lectures and examiner training. This scholarship
interview is an excellent platform for new Associates
to put their ideas across and to make themselves known.
The ISTD, like the elephant, never forgets, and the
progress of newcomers with good potential is followed
with interest.
What
are the requirements for the Phyllis Haylor Scholarship?
Any candidate who has passed the Associate examination
Highly Commended within the preceding year in any Dancesport
faculty is eligible to apply. In 2008 we had an excellent
variety as our candidates had taken their qualifying
exam in either Modern Ballroom, Latin American, Sequence,
Disco Freestyle, Rock ‘n’ Roll or Country
Western.
So,
if you're eligible, enthusiastic about your teaching
and the future of dance, and feel that you could put
£1000 to very good use to further your professional
training, why not apply in 2009? After all, you've nothing
to lose! |
