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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 |
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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