Fewster
Cecchetti Scholarship
The
Fewster Cecchetti Scholarship was held on Sunday, 5th
November, 2006, at The Place, London. With Diane van
Schoor adjudicating, Jessica Clarke taking the class
for 20 entrants from five vocational schools, and Stuart
Marsden at the piano, the afternoon promised well. We
were not disappointed, the occasion proved rewarding
for all – participants and audience.
This year showed a high technical and artistic level
in the students. Their professional response to Miss
Clarke's excellent class enabled them to demonstrate
fully their capabilities, with attack and musicality,
giving performances within the class structure.
There were 12 finalists, six boys and six girls, chosen
for the second class (choosing them was "the hardest
part of the afternoon" Miss van Schoor said). The
class consisted of pointe work for the girls and virtuosity
for the boys. Again an exciting class to watch as the
dancers took off, in the best sense, in Miss Clarke's
enchainements.
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| Diane
van Schoor and Jessica Clarke with winners and runners
up |
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| (L
to R) Katie Webb, Benjamin Griffiths, Liam Jennings
and Ruth Brill |
Diane van Schoor opened her adjudication by saying that
she had come with "a short shopping list".
She was looking for musicality, joy of dance and potential.
All these she found in her winner (whom she additionally
described as "a breath of fresh air") Katie
Webb (Arts Educational School, Tring). The runner-up
was Ruth Brill and the Boy's Award went to Benjamin
Griffith (both from English National Ballet School).
Special Merit was given to Liam Jennings from the Hammond
School.
In her summary Miss van Schoor said she had been encouraged
by the quality of the port de bras. However she would
have liked to have seen greater use of the demi-plié
in grand allegro, also more awareness through the upper
body of épaulement and eye focus.
To conclude the day gratitude was expressed to Miss
van Schoor for her generosity and wisdom in adjudication.
A big thank you too went to Jessica Clarke, and Stuart
Marsden for his accompaniment, for the comprehensive
and inspirational class framework for the award, "wonderfully
musical" as Miss van Schoor said. For such a successful
day many thanks must also go to the organisers of this
event, Daphne Cooper, and Caroline Wright.
Jennifer Morgan
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