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DFR
Faculty Congress
Sunday
21st September saw the DFR Committee welcome us all to Aylesbury
Civic Centre on a bright sunny day for the annual DFR Faculty
Congress. This was the second year that the event was held
here in this spacious hall and the Chairman of the DFR Faculty,
Yvonne Taylor-Hill, started the day promptly at 9.30am.
Warm Up
Cara-Lea Redit
Cara-Lea
presented a well-performed warm-up using lively and interesting
choreography to a floor filled with enthusiastic teachers.
She developed the routine effectively using energetic and
fun music to wake everyone up and prepare for the day ahead.
Fundamentals
Victoria Hawkes
Victoria
presented her first lecture superbly with an effective U/8’s
dance performed very ably by four cheeky girls! The different
games she demonstrated provided good fun for the children
whilst encouraging the use of expressive arms and musical
recognition. The ‘dice’ game was very effective
for counting and practising holding lines and shapes.
Slow
Dimensions
Vanessa Pesci
This
was a beautifully danced and presented lecture illustrating
contrasting slow work, choreographed to encourage expression.
Vanessa first showed an expressive and sensitive slow routine
which we all enjoyed learning. We then had a change of style
moving to an effective funky Street routine, which I am sure
our teenagers will love.
Master
Class
Paul Streatfield
A
demanding lecture improving the performance of an unseen dancer.
By adjustment of arms, head and foot/leg positions, gradually
the dancer became more aware of line and finish responding
to Paul’s comments and points of correction. Over the
time of the lecture, the improvement became very apparent.
Hip
Hop
Richard Marcel
This
was a brilliant up-to-date and challenging lecture in a form
of dance which is becoming more and more popular with today’s
younger generation. Richard used a variety of moves including
‘popping’ and ‘locking’. Robert Poultney,
who was Richard’s demonstrator, made everything look
easy and we all had a great time trying to gain his fluidity.
Stretch
Techniques
Janet Clark
Using three assistants, Janet very carefully showed
correct and incorrect stretches to suit our individual pupils’
needs. This was a most instructive and helpful lecture providing
some different ways of stretching.
This
brought an end to an excellent morning’s lectures.
Slow
Soul
Barbara Evans
Following a break for lunch, everyone returned eagerly
to the floor to focus and connect with this lecturer after
requesting her return from last year’s Congress. This
dynamic choreographer and teacher inspired us all to dance
with energy, combining strength and control. Barbara stressed
the importance of reacting to the movements with feeling to
produce a sense of finish.
Graded
System
Debbie Mitchell & Pat Woor
An informative lecture detailing the new Grade examinations
due to commence in January 2004, which have government recognition
through QCA accreditation. Debbie explained the content of
the examinations, which can be taken in addition to the normal
Medal Test system. Pat Woor then conducted a mock examination
using two candidates and this gave good examples of the content
of these new exams. The candidates have to show safe dance
practice and personal presentation, movement and interpretation
and musical interpretation by both performance and oral assessment.
Freestyle
for the Stars
Yvonne Taylor-Hill, DFR Faculty Chairman
Lifting the pace, we now had a superb routine from
Yvonne using creativity and imaginative dancing. Yvonne
taught the routine in a relaxed and confident manner with
excellent teaching points. Her two demonstrators then danced
this routine as a Pair, showing how it can be easily adapted
to suit the needs of our pupils. This will be a popular addition
to Gold Star routines as it is an innovative dance requiring
energy
yet control.
Rock
‘n’ Roll Variations
Rachel Wadey
Rachel, a member of the DFR Faculty Committee, showed
us two very danceable Rock ‘n’ Roll amalgamations
using a mixture of syllabus Figures to link the steps together.
Rachel was ably partnered by Jonathan Reed and they displayed
the routines using rhythmical Foot and Body Actions. The choreography
would enable teachers to use part of a routine for their pupils.
Furthermore, the dancers enjoyed the work with a buzz of enthusiasm.
Junior
Bronze
Bobbie Chatt
Back now for the first of our two mini lectures
by Bobbie Chatt, who was a first time lecturer for the ISTD.
A confidently taught lecture using four of her dancers to
assist her. Bobbie’s Bronze routine is suitable for
this grade, but used plenty of changes of shapes to keep interest
in this medium Freestyle routine.
Juvenile
Silver
Julia Spencer
Our second mini lecture was presented by Julia Spencer,
another first time lecturer for the ISTD. It was a pleasing
and well taught Silver routine with attractive and inventive
shapes and arm patterns. A carefully thought out lecture,
with no first time nerves shown.
Commercial
Jazz
Barbara Evans
Once again Barbara had everyone on the floor raring
to go! This was a faster routine needing energy and passion
with an awareness of projection and your centre. Barbara’s
enthusiasm was contagious and she made us strive to create
a feeling of performance. This was a brilliant lecture by
a first class teacher and choreographer.
Cool Down
Cara-Lea Redit
Finally, Cara-Lea ended the day as she had started
it, with a well planned routine, providing a good ending to
what had been a stimulating and useful day.Miss Anne Lingard,
on behalf of all the teachers, thanked Yvonne Taylor-Hill,
Chairman of the DFR Faculty and all the members of the DFR
Faculty Committee for a wonderful day. I’m sure we are
all already looking forward to next year’s DFR Faculty
Congress.
Chris
Edwards
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