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Worthing
Congress 2003
Saturday
26th July
Lindy
Hop
Richard Marcel and Julie Oram
The
first lecture given by Richard Marcel was on the Lindy Hop. This is
a very attractive dance, using medium paced Swing music, a type of Line
dance. Everyone enjoyed learning the Shim Sham Shimmy, a popular dance
adopted from Tap dancing. Very well taught by Julie Oram.
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Lindy
Hop, Richard Marcel and Julie Oram |
Saturday
Night Social Dances
Rachel Wadey
Next
we had Rachel Wadey, looking very elegant, and with her partner Colin
Piper giving us some Saturday night Social Dances. First a lovely Sequence
dance, the Queen of Hearts Rumba. This dance would also be useful in
any Latin class. Then a lively dance, the Safari Swing. This would make
any party go with a swing.
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Saturday
Night Social Dances,
Rachel Wadey |
Free
Styling
Paul Streatfield
Paul
Streatfield was assisted by Vanessa Gover and two dances were shown,
a medium tempo and a slow tempo. They were danced with an easy relaxed
style, with a soft, natural use of body and arms. This could be a welcome
trend for Disco/Freestyle. Paul also gave a choice of various arm actions.
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Free
Styling, Paul Streatfield assisted by Vanessa Gover |
Old
Time: From Medallist to Champion
Craig Bedwell and Angela Painting
Craig
Bedwell and Angela Painting gave us a very interesting lecture. Beautifully
demonstrated dancing, and many important points were shown by Angela,
with delightful poise and style. As with all Champions it was the attention
given to details of action and the depth of thought that gave this lecture
its impact.
Rock
'n' Roll
Pat Lait
This
lecture was a real hit with me and many of the teachers present. Shown
with the original authentic styling, very natural dancing with the emphasis
on rhythm. Very well taught by Pat Lait and well danced by Bruce Lait
and Crystal Main. We all enjoyed dancing to Elvis!
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Rock
'n' Roll, Pat Lait danced by Bruce Lait and Crystal Main |
Country
Connection
Margaret Banks
Wings
of an Angel was a lovely soft Waltz with very nice movements, looking
equally good as Man or Lady. Next a partner Circle dance, Little Chapel,
mostly danced with sweetheart hold. A very good 'swing' feeling. Clearly
explained and taught by Margaret and presented by a smart team of her
dancers.
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| Country
Connection, Margaret Banks |
Sunday
27th July
Salsa
Richard Marcel
To
start the day what better than Richard, partnered by Caroline Rice,
bringing everyone on to the floor for Salsa. Some very interesting moves
taught clearly and with enthusiasm by Richard.
Argentine
Tango
Ralf Schiller and Kele Baker
Next,
a great contrast, the appealing music, style and actions of the Argentine
Tango. Ralf was partnered by Gillian Cook and we all thoroughly enjoyed
their demonstration. A very authentic look and beautifully taught as
usual by Ralf.
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Argentine
Tango, Ralf Schiller and Kele Baker |
Lady
in a Leading Role
Margaret Preedy
Margaret
was welcomed onto the floor to give the first Modern Ballroom lecture
of the day. Obviously and extremely experienced teacher with a wealth
of knowledge, she made this half hour slot simply evaporate away. With
the help of an enthusiastic class, she emphasised the importance of
correct technique, paying particular attention to foot/body alignments,
controlling lowering actions and the connections of the 'leader's' right
side with partner. Margaret then went on to explain how important it
is for a female teacher to be able to switch, both mentally and physically,
from one role to another.
This
she demonstrated beautifully with the help of Mark Willemite, who also
proved that he was equally 'finely tuned', changing roles with considerable
ease.
A
Star in the Making: Paso Doble and Cha Cha Cha
John Byrnes
John
and his partner Jane Lyttleton Byrnes produced an excellent teachable
Paso Doble group and showed with use of shape in the body and artistic
arms how good syllabus figures can look. A lively Cha Cha Cha using
a Natural Top and Cuban Rocks, both groups useful for Gold Star work.
Good teaching hints.
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A
Star in the Making: Paso Doble and Cha Cha Cha, John Byrnes |
Grade
1 Examination
Marion Lane
Marion
gave a very informative lecture, clear and detailed, on the Grade 1
examination. This new exciting examination will be available from 1st
January 2004. Terry Collard, a 10 year old pupil of Marion's and Alexa
Hilton from Margaret Preedy's School, beautifully demonstrated warm
up exercises and preparatory dance exercises for the set dances, Latin
American, Rumba and Jive, and Ballroom, Waltz and Quickstep. The audience
were quiet and enthralled, taking in all the information.
Easy
Variations: Waltz and Tango
Diana Hearn
Thinking
of something new is often tricky - also having to make it easy to dance
simply adds to that challenge! However, Diana never ceases to impress
in the way that she always comes up with a new magic recipe. Teaching
her Tango group first, followed by the Waltz, she gave really excellent
guidance as to how to achieve the most out of each variation, offering
many useful tips with regard to positioning, timing etc. Both amalgamations
were superbly demonstrated by Anton du Beke and Erin Boag in a very
professional manner. All in all, a first class lecture for a dedicated
and gifted teacher.
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Anton
du Beke and Erin Boag assisting Diana Hearn's lecture, Easy Variations:
Waltz and Tango |
Gold
Dust for your Class: Rumba and Jive
Alison Lacey
Alison's
first lecture for the ISTD was well presented, showing excellent teaching
methods using a clear voice. The groups in Rumba and Jive were well
constructed and superbly danced with very good use of arms. Thomas Smith
ably assisted her.
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Gold
Dust for your Class: Rumba and Jive
Alison Lacey assisted by Thomas Smith |
Masterclass
Margaret Redmond
One
would probably consider it an impossible task to conduct a Masterclass
within half an hour. Although a very short period of time, Margaret
packed so much into her lecture that it could easily have spanned the
whole day! She described so clearly some of her priorities when teaching:
the need for good posture, combining muscular control through the back
and shoulders. How when taking up dance hold we should work from 'inside
to outside' and give more consideration to the fact that the hold is
based on many triangular shapes. With the help of newly turned professionals,
Ronald Jager and Jenny Sheeran, Margaret also explained how she tries
to develop a slower closing action on beat 3 of the music in Waltz,
thus preventing the rise being completed too soon. Moving onto Tango,
Margaret taught a short amalgamation, consisting of a Contra Check,
Right Lunge, Telespin and Five Step. Many of the lady dancers taking
part looked slightly anxious when their partners were asked to release
hold (ladies maintaining the Contra Check hold), and circle around them
- it was a good test of individual balance and control! An excellent
lecture offering much food for thought.
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Masterclass,
Margaret Redmond
assisted by Ronald
Jager and Jenny Sheeran |
Competitive
Styling
Mark Robertson and Luani Fanni
Mark
and Luani showed us how good a routine of syllabus figures in Rumba
can look. The audience then participated and even changed partners.
Mark explained how a 'courtship' is needed between the couple, also
by delaying the action speed of turn is increased. It looks easy, but
it is not!
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Competitive
Styling, Mark Robertson & Luani Fanni |
Fun
Dance for Kids
Nicky Miles
Although
entitled Fun Dance for Kids, Nicky's lecture certainly proved most captivating
entertainment for all of us 'grown up' kids in the audience. We were
treated to a mini time warp production of the Sound of Music, from which
Nicky, with the help of a much aged and heavily disguised Mark Willemite,
Liz Young (also in disguise as a brown paper package, tied up with string),
and his Von Trapp family, transported up from the 1960's to the present
day. It wasn't long before everyone was on the floor enjoying his adaptation
of the Viennese Wing to the recent chart track, Favourite Things by
Big Brovaz. An excellent, almost instantaneous to learn, fun dance with
the added benefit of being suitable for solo or couple dancers. Nicky
has certainly set a standard which even he will find difficult to surpass!
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Fun
Dance for Kids, Nicky Miles, assisted by Liz Young |
Monday
28th July
FUNdamentals
for Kids
Johnathan Reed
A
wonderful start to Monday. Johnathan gave us an entertaining lecture
assisted by six of his children from the Star Dance posse. Using excellent
teaching ideas he showed the children clapping to music, exercising
arms with chiffon scarves and generally having fun. Johnathan has the
ability to think like a child, which can be invaluable when dealing
with them. It was good to see children looking like children.
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| FUNdamentals
for Kids, Johnathan Reed,
with some of his pupils
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Easy
Variations: Waltz
Samantha Harris
In
her first lecture for the Imperial Society, Samantha Harris presented
an easy variation for classwork in the Waltz, a beautiful presentation,
with her partner, Thomas Persson, that will surely be of great use to
the members.
Easy
Variations: Quickstep
Robert Singer
This
was followed by a Quickstep group by Robert Singer, partnered by Suzanne
White - another 'first time' lecturer - who had great control of the
crowd, whilst teaching this free-flowing, lively and challenging variation.
Cha
Cha Cha Update
Lorna Lee
Lorna,
as usual, treated us to a very professional, positive and
informative lecture: Updating the Cha Cha Cha. She said that
she was disappointed that the new technique was not always
applied in a practical way with Medallists and Medallist competitors
- the 'Peddling Action' had not disappeared. She showed the
various Chasses, e.g. Split Cuban Break Chasses that can replace
compact Chasses. She stressed that people should work to avoid
ugly leg lines.
Walk
In, Dance Out
Vernon Kemp
‘Walk
In, Dance Out’ was the title of a most thought-provoking
lecture by Vernon Kemp, who gave an insight into his class
teaching methods for complete beginners. Vernon’s experience
in dealing with pupils of all standards and capabilities was
clear for all to see, but importantly placed the emphasis
on producing ‘natural movement’ through the correct
application of our technique. An excellent lecture based on
a sound knowledge and years of study of what actually makes
Ballroom dancing successful to the very highest level. Congratulations.
'Gold'
that Sparkles: Cha Cha Cha and Jive
Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace
One
of my favourite lectures of the weekend. Variations clearly and precisely
taught with good humour. Good Cha Cha Cha, tricky timing, but Flavia
showed a slower alternative. Snappy Jive, should be fun to teach in
a class trying to avoid broken arms! They received a terrific ovation
from the audience. As Lorna said, 'absolutely fabulous'.
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'Gold'
that Sparkles: Cha Cha Cha and Jive, Vincent Simone & Flavia Cacace
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New
Professional Examinations
Anne Lingard
During
the final day of Congress, the ISTD were delighted that Anne Lingard
was able to present to the members the outline of the syllabus of its
new professional qualifications, which are due to commence on 1st January
2004. The recent government accreditation through QCA of the ISTD examinations
and procedures has now been successfully completed and provides their
teachers with the facility to hold qualifications that will stand alongside
all sectors in the future.
Social
Sequence
Jill Bush
Jill
was assisted by Mark Willemite and first showed us the Social Samba.
A very lively Samba, with danceable movements which everyone enjoyed.
To follow was a very good arrangement of Waltz figures in the Candleglow
Waltz, a winning dance for Jill at the British Dance Council in May
1988. Stylish dancing by Jill and Mark, Jill teaching with her usual
mix of authority and charm.
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Social
Sequence, Jill Bush assisted by Mark Willemite |
Modern
Trends in Latin
Michael Stylianos
A
genius at work! In half an hour Michael gave so many up-to-date developments
in Cha Cha Cha, Rumba and Jive. Samantha Harris partnered him brilliantly,
not knowing quite what to expect from him. As Lorna summed up, 'he is
never lost for material'. We are so lucky to have characters like Michael
in our Society.
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| Modern
Trends in Latin, Michael Stylianos partnered by Samantha Harris |
Easy
Variations: Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep
Richard Miles
Finally,
Easy Variations in Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep were presented by Richard
Miles and his charming partner. Both groups were well constructed using
basic figures and were equally suitable for classwork and Medallists.
Expertly taught by Richard, in a relaxed manner and most enjoyed by
this knowledgeable audience.
A
Star is Born: Rumba and Samba
Lorraine Kuznik
Last,
but not least, were two very teachable variations by Lorraine, assisted
by Neil Dewar, in Samba and Rumba. Good use of basic figures showing
interesting developments. Very clearly and confidently taught.
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| A
Star is Born: Rumba and Samba Lorraine Kuznik assisted by Neil Dewar |
All
in all, a wonderful Worthing Congress - roll on 2004!
Ballroom
report: Barbara Grover and Jill Bush
Latin report: Paula Goodyear
Alternative Rhythms, DFR and Sequence report: Marion Brown
All photographs: Ron Self
Buffet
Dance
It's
Sunday night and time for the Buffet Dance at the Assembly Hall in Worthing.
Surprisingly the weather had not been up to its usual high standards
and this year we had actually experienced torrential downpours rather
than the usual sunshine we are accustomed to in Worthing.
Upon
arriving at the Assembly Hall, for those who have attended the Congress
during the day, it is great to see how the staff have transformed the
hall from a space used for the dance lectures to one that can be used
for the Buffet Dance. Prior to the buffet commencing guests had the
opportunity to mingle at the bar and reflect on the Congress so far.
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Cabaret
by Craig Bedwell &
Angela Painting |
The
Buffet Dance gives everyone the opportunity to dine and dance the night
away under the inimitable guidance of DJ and compere Nicky Miles. Guests
were also treated to a wonderful Sequence Dance demonstration by Craig
Bedwell and Angela Painting. Their performance was warmly received by
an appreciative audience. The Buffet Dance also provides an opportunity
to raise funds for the ISTD Benevolent Fund through an end of evening
raffle. Nicky Miles and his helpers ensured that if you were not fortunate
enough to win one of the wonderful prizes you could still enjoy the
experience!
Jon
Singleton
Head of Marketing & Publicity
See
you next year!
Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th & Monday 26th July 2004
Assembly Hall, Worthing, West Sussex
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