Choreographic
Competition 2006
I
always look forward to this biennial competition, because
you never quite know what you are going to see, and
it is always a special occasion, full of inspirational
ideas and quality performances.
The
day is unique because all the dances are created, rehearsed,
costumed and performed by young Classical Greek dancers
and I am always impressed at the overall standard that
they achieve.
We were very fortunate to have Miss Tanya Allen as our
adjudicator. Miss Allen is a very experienced British
Federation and All England adjudicator, a Royal Academy
of Dance Children’s Graded examiner and Principal
of the very large and successful Allenova School of
Dancing, based in Reading.
It was evident from the outset that Miss Allen’s
vast experience meant that the competitors were to have
a special day. She managed to put the competitors at
their ease, any criticisms were tactfully and kindly
delivered - and then only after positive comments had
been passed, and given in a way to encourage further
development.
Most importantly, Miss Allen had something particular
to say to each and every choreographer, and because
of this they went away knowing that their time and energy
had been valued and appreciated.
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| ‘Gorgons
Witness the Death of Medusa’ |
 |
 |
| ‘The
Wasp’ |
‘Grapes
to Dionysus’ |
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| ‘Hercules’ |
Throughout the day Miss Allen commented on the choices
the choreographers had made, in terms of the subject
matter they chose to dance about, their choice of musical
accompaniment, the choice of costume. All of this made
me feel quite optimistic about the future of Classical
Greek dance.
Here, during this day, we saw dances that had insight,
dances that were not afraid to tackle ‘concepts’
such as the ‘Black Death’, or ‘The
Mental Struggle of the Inner Demon’, or ‘Losing
You’; at the same time we saw dances inspired
by ‘Spirits of the Sea’, ‘Me and My
Naughty Shadow’ and ‘Jupiter’.
In each and every dance, we saw that the young people
who had created each piece understood the range of movement
that Classical Greek dance offers, and they had been
unafraid to explore that movement. They were quite uninhibited
by presumptions of subject matter and musical accompaniment
and this, of course, is the essence of choreography,
and it was so good to see this entwined with Classical
Greek technique.
Music was in particular something that Miss Allen spoke
about. She said that as long as the choreographers understood
the style and technique of Classical Greek dance, then
any musical choice would work and she went on to enjoy
many ‘lovely choices of music’. She commented
on the variety of ideas and the ‘good structure’
that was evident in the choreography before her.
Solo Interpretation has been retained as an element
of this competition, and on this occasion the entrants
rose to the challenge very well. Interpretation can
be incredibly difficult as the music is not heard by
the competitor until they are about to perform. Each
and every entrant throughout the day performed wonderfully,
with super feeling for the music and empathy of style.
A credit to their teachers!
All in all, everybody had a great day - the performers,
the choreographers and the audience. Well done to Penny
Childs and Lorna Rookledge for organising a professional
and smooth running event - we look forward to the next
one!
Carol Vasko
Photos by Sonia Bond & Karen Collings
Results
• Solos
10yrs and under
‘The Wasp’ by Rowena Cox
(pupil of Lora Rookledge)
11-13yrs
‘Remember Me’ by Rosie Hulme
(pupil of Karen Collings)
14-21yrs
Megan Dowell
(pupil of Karen Collings)
• Duets
10yrs and under
‘The Dream’ by Grace & Eloise
Hardy (pupils of Sonia Bond)
11-13yrs
‘Canon’ by Isabelle Evans &
Jessie Waterfield
(pupils of Amanda Wilkins)
14-21yrs
‘Koronide Sisters’ by Zoe Davies
& Rosie Hulme
(pupils of Karen Collings)
•
Trios
& Quartets
11-14yrs
‘Friends Rendezvous’ by Jessica
Powell, Belinda Stiles, Natalie Scott & Francesca
Brookes (pupils of Sonia Bond)
14-21yrs
‘Hercules’ by Zoe Davies, Rosie
Hulme & Maisie Gee (pupils of Karen Collings)
•
Solo Interpretation
10yrs and under
Rowena Cox (pupil of Lorna Rookledge)
11-13yrs
Henry Cox (pupil of Lorna Rookledge)
14-21yrs
Zoe Davies (pupil of Karen Collings)
•
Group
Choreography
14yrs and under
‘Tinkerbell is dying so the children
come to save her’ by Amber Maynard and Emma Woolley
(pupils of Kay Ball)
15-21yrs
‘Dispersed’ by Alexa Coffey (pupil
of Lorna Rookledge)
•
Special
Awards
Overall Solo Winner
Megan Dowell
Overall Duet Winners
Isabelle Evans & Jessie Waterfield for
‘Canon’
Overall Trio/Quartet Winners
Zoe Davies, Rosie Hulme & Maisie Gee for
‘Hercules’
Overall Group Winner
Alexa Croffey for ‘Dispersed’
Most
Memorable Choreography
Zoe Davies and Rosie Hulme for ‘Koronide
Sisters’
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