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Ruby
Ginner Awards 2008
Carol Vasko reveals the highlights of the Ruby
Ginner Awards
The
2008 Ruby Ginner Awards took place at the Winston Churchill
Hall, Ruislip on Sunday 23rd November. This annual competition
is always a varied, exciting event, and this year was
no exception.
Above:
Class B, Cathy Griffiths
The Ruby Ginner Awards are an excellent test of a Classical
Greek dancer's training, as the Awards challenge all
elements of each dancer. All competitors take part in
a class based on the examination grade they are currently
studying. The class tests the dancers’ ability
to learn and perform unset sequences quickly with technical
accuracy.
Depending
on the class level, dancers will be expected to show
a varied selection of styles and movement qualities
– all designed to show expressive and dramatic
abilities. Expressive skills are further developed in
the Nature Study section and musicality tested in the
Interpretation section. Finally, the competitors show
an Examination Set Sequence of their choice –
this being the only part of the class that can be fully
prepared before the day.
Above
left:dancer in action
Above right: winner of the Premier Class Alexandra Sarrafan
with adjudicator Julia Ellis
The range of skills required to become a secure Classical
Greek dancer is really rather extensive, and as such,
so many things need to be considered by the adjudicators
of this competition. This year, the task belonged to
Miss Julia Ellis and Mrs Penny Childs.
Julia Ellis began her training at the Buckhurst Hill
and Woodford School of Dancing before moving on to The
Arts Educational School in London and then at the Royal
Ballet Upper School. She has studied Classical Greek
Dance to Fellowship level, and introduced Classical
Greek to the Royal Ballet School at White Lodge.
Penny Childs is also a Fellow of Classical Greek Dance
Association, having trained at the London College of
Dance and Drama. Penny also taught Classical Greek Dance
at the Royal Ballet School White Lodge. Penny is currently
the Secretary of the Classical Greek Faculty, organiser
of the Ruby Ginner Awards and long serving member of
the Classical Greek Dance committee.
Both adjudicators, therefore, were well qualified to
sit in judgement of the incredibly well motivated, beautifully
presented young dancers, who responded with enthusiasm
to the instructions given by their teachers for the
day. Classes were taken by Cathy Griffiths (Class B),
Yasmin Taylor-Hazzard (Classes A & D), Carol Vasko
(Classes E, F&G) and Amanda Wilkins (Class C).
 Left:
Class C
All of the competitors did their best to rise to the
occasion, something that was appreciated by the audience
and the adjudicators. In adjudication, generally, dancers
were reminded of the need to really ‘feel’
the breadth of line and to work to improve the use of
relaxation between designs. As the dancers age increases
so does the need for versatility of expression, and
the adjudicators felt that this was area in which there
was always from for improvement!
Ultimately, the day proved that Classical Greek Dance
does continue to go from strength to strength. Those
in the ‘know’ already are aware of the benefit
that studying this technique brings. Our work is so
useful in developing strength, control and, above all,
versatility and dramatic expression. As a faculty we
may be small, but we are certainly helping to produce
well rounded, efficient performers who understand quality
of movement and the need to be versatile.
Finally, many thanks to Penny Childs for her excellent
organisation of this event, which must have been no
easy task when based in Scotland! A special mention
to Paul Biggs of Performance Photography (www.performancephotos.co.uk
) for his expertise, patience and wonderful photos.
Lastly, to all of you wonderful ‘pixies’
who turn up and do the jobs we ask of you. You know
who you are – and we thank you most sincerely,
we really could not function without you. You are all
stars!
Carol Vasko
Ruby
Ginner Awards
Class Winners
Class A:
Isabella Monk
Class B:
Morgana Byworth
Class C:
Natasha Jelly
Class D:
Nimika Patel
Class E:
Megan Furneaux
Class F:
Danielle O’Reilly
Class G:
Alexandra Sarrafan
Musicality Prize Winners
Madison Blythe
Georgia Lewis
William Lewis
Elizabeth Mitchell
Rhian Thomas
Natasha Cox
Special Awards
Kay Ball Shield Joy of Dance Award (AM)
Eve Jeyes (Class A)
Kay Ball Shield Joy of Dance Award (PM)
Flora Anderson (Class B)
Tanya Allen Trophy for Technical Accuracy (AM)
Ellie Whitehead (Class D)
Tanya Allen Award for Technical Accuracy (PM)
Teresina Stefani (Class F)
Boys Trophy
William Lewis (Class C)
Prof. Cawadias Shield
Jak Skelly (Class F)
Biddy Pinchard Cup
Rowena Cox (Class D)
Christine Orange Cup
Chelsea Hogg (Class G)
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