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Above: freestyle pairs
Imperial Open Freestyle and Rock ‘n’ Roll Championships
Yvonne Taylor-Hill reports on this ever-popular event
Sunday 1st March 2009
As Chairman of the Disco/Freestyle/Rock ‘n’ Roll Faculty of the ISTD, it is a privilege to report the success of the recent Imperial Open Freestyle and Rock ‘n’ Roll Championships held at Spelthorne Leisure Centre on Sunday 1st March.
The ISTD speaks ‘class’ and this Championship event has earned a highly respected place on the Open Freestyle circuit and yearly calendar of events. This comes as no surprise to me, given the enormous amount of effort, preparation and ‘team work’ carried out by the members of the Disco/Freestyle/Rock ‘n’ Roll Faculty Committee of the ISTD. My sincere thanks go to you all.
The competition was sold out, with several schools unable to attend and for this, we apologise. (Teachers remember to order your tickets well in advance next year.) There were 26 school in attendance altogether and we were delighted and privileged to welcome schools that came from such long distances, such as Yorkshire and Dorset. Thank you, teachers for your support.
Sitting on the stage, I had the best advantage point to view and observe. The doors opened promptly at 9am, the atmosphere already electric and buzzing with music pumping out and competitors eager to collect their numbers and start warming up. I wished I could have captured the look of excitement when the dancers caught sight of the amazing array of trophies and awards as well as goody bags, which they might be lucky enough to take home.
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Above left and right: Solos
Right: DFR Faculty Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman with Imperial Dancers 2009 |
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Adrenaline and energy flowed through the dancers’ bodies all day and, as I expected, the standard of dancing was outstanding; in fact it just gets better and better each year. Congratulations for producing such high-class dancers. Thanks must also be extended to the panel of independent and very experienced adjudicators who had the unenviable task in such a short time to observe through the rounds and select the dancers to reach that all important final.
All age groups and levels were catered for in every event – Solos (leading to the coveted Imperial Dancer for 2009), Teams, Rock ‘n’ Roll and Pairs.
Imperial Dancers 2009
Under 14 Beginner
Leanne Filbey
Under 14 Starter
Chloe Barrett-Blake
Under 16 Intermediate
Thomas Hope
Over 18 Champion
Juliet Lashbrook
As I write this report I am sure, like myself, you have many memories of this great day. I expect some of you even have those wonderful trophies and awards proudly displayed. Congratulations and very well done to you all. Teachers, make sure you look out for this event in 2010. I am certainly looking forward to welcoming you back next year, as is the DFR Faculty Committee on behalf of the ISTD Dance Examinations Board.
Yvonne Taylor-Hill
Disco/Freestyle/Rock ‘n’ Roll Faculty Committee in attendance at the Imperial Open Freestyle and Rock ‘n’ Roll Championships:
Chairman
Yvonne Taylor Hill
Vice Chairman
Paul Streatfield
Committe Members
Nigel Kirk
Maria Howse
Suzanne Hammond
Chairman
Moya Jordan
Adjudicators
Brenda Forward
Joanne Phillips
Linda Matthews
John Hackett
Scrutineer
Simone Anderson
Music provided by Justin Light
Trophies by Ivor Baker
Photography
danceportraits.co.uk
Sponsorship for Rock ‘n’ Roll
Events
Moya Palmer - ‘Jordanz’ |
