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Northern
Congress
Sunday
20th & Monday 21st October 2002
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| All
photographs by Elaine Mayson unless indicated otherwise |
Two
days of dancing with some great teachers - who could refuse? I, along
with many others, certainly couldn't!
The
Northern Congress was enjoyed by dancers and teachers at Salford University,
near Manchester.
Sunday
20th October was the first day, where classes were held for children
in the Upper Hall. After a very warm welcome by Patricia Prime the children
enjoyed a National class held by Marion Roberts. Learning dance steps
from around the world, it was also a chance to meet one another. There
was lots of fun to be had and it was very enjoyable to watch.
David
Needham held a Free Tap class where the sequence was very lively and
energetic. With the music playing and Mr Needham's wonderful teaching,
everyone's feet were moving.
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| David
Needham leading students through his Tap class |
A
teacher's workshop was very helpful and the clear explanation of the
amendments to Grade 1 and 2 Modern, by Sarah Wilson, made students who
were watching realise how much work needs to be done to become a good
teacher, but also how rewarding it can be when you see a child learn
each new step.
After
the wonderful demonstration by the dancers and the teacher, Chitraleka
Bolar, of the elements of Baratanatyam, South Asian dancing, I'm sure
many dancers would love to learn more of the interesting steps and the
intricate hand movements.
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A
student performing in Chitraleka Bolar's class |
Sue
Brice gave a brilliant Free Jazz class after the tea break, where combinations
put together made a great Modern dance sequence which everyone enjoyed.
The
showcase was a great end to the first day and all the dancers were fabulous.
I
heard so many positive comments from children about the whole day, everyone
seemed really happy and pleased to be at the event.
"I thought Manchester was brilliant and I'd definitely go again.
It was a good experience and I really enjoyed the Tap class."
This
is some positive feedback from dancer Laura Jones from Barton Dance
& Drama Academy.
Sharron
Lloyd said: "It was great fun. I really enjoyed the Ballet, Jazz
and the Tap".
It
was a good experience watching the children and listening to their comments
of the day, but on the second day I got a chance to dance and experience
myself what it felt like to be taught by different teachers.
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| Cecchetti
examiners who attended the Northern Congress together with lecturer
Graham Fletcher |
Graham
Fletcher gave a very interesting but wonderful Ballet class with an
excerpt from La fille Mal Gardée, where we danced as chickens
and cockerels! Although the movements looked very easy, it was actually
quite difficult to dance but lots of fun!
Having
never done Classical Greek dancing, I was a bit wary of doing the class,
but with the clear teaching of Cathy Carroll and the demonstration of
the different movements from the young girls, I found it very enjoyable.
The demonstration after the class was amazing.
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| 'To
the River Flows' Hannah & Lillie Sarrafan, pupils of Cathy Carroll
from the Dupont School |
Lorraine
Swain was very encouraging when coaching Intermediate and Advanced 1
variations. The feeling you should achieve when dancing the variations
was clearly put across, it made you feel a lot more confident when dancing
the steps.
Jazz
was saved for the end of the day. With the class held by Joanne Darnell,
she gave us a fast, exciting Modern sequence which everyone enjoyed
- including the teachers. It was definitely a perfect ending class.
Again,
I heard many positive comments, this time from students:
"It
was very enjoyable. The classes were made fun and exciting."
This
is what Jessica Champion, a student dancer from Merseyside Dance and
Drama Centre thought of the Northern Congress.
The
farewell and thanks was lovely. After all the thanks to the teachers,
Gaynor Owen received a wonderful bouquet of flowers for her fabulous
organisation. I'm sure, after the two great days, many people would
love to experience the Northern Congress again very soon.
Charlotte
Lamont
Sunday
20th October dawned and we all set off in good time across the Pennines
- great! We arrived in Salford but immediately got lost (as always).
However, once inside the Maxwell Hall of Salford University the warm,
friendly faces were there to greet us.
Sunday
Teachers and Children's Day. Where to go, that was my dilemma. I did
want to check my Grade 3 and 4 Tap amalgamations, but also wanted to
watch my pupils. It was their first visit so I divided my time between
the two. What seemed like hundreds of children were on the floor, all
excited and full of anticipation, moving from National, Tap, South Asian,
Greek, Ballet and Jazz. Congratulations to all the lecturers who coped
admirably.
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| The
audience get to grips with Chritraleka Bolar's intricate hand movements
in South Asian Dance |
The
children and parents thoroughly enjoyed the Showcase, which gave them
some of the best of the ISTD work.
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Showcase
performer |
Monday
Teachers and Students' Day Slightly quieter! But the atmosphere was
electric. We started with Sue Brice, who was brilliant in her classes
on both days.
Onto
a delightful demonstration of National, going from England, Ireland,
Scotland and Wales to France, Portugal, Austria, Denmark, Czech Republic,
Serbia and back home before lunch.
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| National
Class held by Marion Roberts |
Cathy
Carroll's Greek lecture was well on the way when an earthquake shook
the building and we were all forced out onto the campus grounds. Her
demonstrators were due to depart straight after the lecture but fortunately
managed to delay their departure. These Leicester dancers gave us a
brilliant presentation when we all returned to the hall after a brief
break for lunch.
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National
class
Photograph by Ray Smith |
The
afternoon moved on very quickly and soon it was time to say goodbye
and look forward to the next Northern Congress with eager anticipation.
Well
done Gaynor Owen and all her team of helpers for all you did to provide
us with a rocking, memorable, Northern Congress.
Kathleen
West
At
eight o'clock on the morning of Monday 21st October, the students of
Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre gathered together to board a coach
to the University of Salford for the 2002 Northern Congress. I think
all who attended will agree that it was well worth the early rise.
As
we arrived we were greeted by students and teachers from all over the
North West. The welcome by Chairman Patricia Prime was lovely and prepared
everyone for the fabulous day of dancing and learning that was to follow.
The
first lecture was by Sue Brice who taught fun and original free amalgamations
suitable for Grade 4, Intermediate and Advanced 1 levels, each one with
a contrasting style to the next.
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Jazz
Class with Sue Brice
Photograph by Ray Smith |
Then
followed an enjoyable demonstration of the National Grades by some wonderfully
talented children, taught by Robina Smith. I think I can safely say
that this made everyone watching feel like getting up and joining in.
Next
came an extremely fun and different kind of Ballet lesson taken by Graham
Fletcher. He taught the chicken and cockerel dance from La fille Mal
Gardée, which brought a smile to everyone's faces!
The
Classical Greek lecture, entitled 'Athletic Tribute to the Olympics',
was unfortunately cut short due to earth tremors, which resulted in
the evacuation of the building while safety checks were carried out.
However, the little time that we did have to participate was great fun
and after lunch we were given the chance to view a demonstration by
five of Cathy Carroll's pupils, which was strong, energetic and a joy
to watch.
Following
this was a very helpful lecture by Paddy Hurlings and Deborah Capon
on guidance for Associate Tap. It also proved useful to those who have
already taken this examination as they gave ideas on how to teach exercises
throughout the Grades.
After
this was a coaching lesson by Lorraine Swain, who gave detailed and
thorough teaching of both the Intermediate and Advanced 1 Imperial Girls
variations, concentrating particularly on the use of upper back, épaulment
and port de bras. This was hard work but very enjoyable.
The
final lecture of the day was an open Jazz class by Joanne Darnell. This,
judging by the number of dancers who participated, was the most popular
class of the day. It began with a thorough warm-up. We then went on
to learn a funky Jazz routine, which really gave opportunity for our
personalities to shine.
The
farewell and thanks reflected on a fabulous day that was enjoyed by
all who attended. The only complaint would be that we didn't have a
Congress more often!
I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all the students
and teachers who were present over the two days of Congress to give
sincere thanks to Gaynor Owen and her team for the hard work and organisation
that it must have taken to make it such a success. Thank you!
Robyn
Tedder
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