Marjorie
Davies Star Tap Awards
14th
October 2001
The
Marjorie Davies Star Tap Awards were held at Cecil Sharp House on a beautiful,
balmy autumn weekend this year. The event, dedicated to the memory of
a brilliant teacher, is designed to showcase and challenge the skill
of dancers who have excelled in their tap examinations at the higher
levels. Indeed all the candidates are truly star tap material.
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| Junior
Runner Up: Danielle Cocca |
Senior
Runner Up: Ellesha Newton |
120
vital young tappers entered the competition and delighted both audience
and adjudicators with their skill of footwork and performance. Included
were 12 boys, lovely to see! They were all super; 34 finalists were chosen
to dance again on Sunday; 18 from the Juniors class and 16 from the Seniors.
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| Victor
Leopold Cup Senior Winner: Ashley Day |
Excellent
classes were conducted by Carol Ball (Junior) and Tereza Theodoulou (Senior);
their free sequences certainly were rhythmically challenging and these
most talented children had to show their speed of recall under the pressure
of nerves. Brace children all! But they had allies in master accompanists
Sheila Lucas and Paul Groarke, one could not keep the feet still to their
swinging, sensitive touch.
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| Junior
Winner: Danielle Terry |
Junior
Outstanding Dance: Kerry White |
Once
on known and familiar territory the dancers excelled in their solos.
The choreography was outstanding, so varied and inventive. All of the
adjudicators were most impressed by the routines and congratulated the
teachers for their continued creativity. Both Daphne Peterson and Betty
Laine spoke with pride of their teacher Marjorie Davies and the honour
they felt at being able to keep the link and how proud she would have
been with the standard shown.
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| Joan
Durrant Dancer of the Year: Elizabeth Greasley |
Victor
Leopold Cup Junior Winner: Adam Brant |
The
Awards were presented by guest adjudicator Douglas Mills, currently performing
in Tap Dogs. Douglas had also been a Star Tapper; what a great incentive
to those dreaming of a stage profession. Miss Laine reminded everyone
that many former Award Winners were now in the professional theatre and
she did not doubt that many candidates in front of us now would follow
suit. The audience heartily agreed.
It
was a happy tapping weekend thanks to the excellent organisation of Jill
Knight and her terrific 'techie' crew drawn from examiners of the Modern
Theatre Dance Faculty, with John Sutton on sound.
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| Senior
Winner: Amal Hassan |
Senior
Outstanding Dance: Hannah Kilminster |
Well
done dancers and many thanks to those who have written from their own
personal accounts.
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Marjorie
Davies Star Tap Awards - Results
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| Majorie
Davies Award Winners |
Winners
Junior
Section
Winner
Danielle Terry
Pupil of Elizabeth Hill
Runner
Up
Danielle Cocca
Pupil of Sharon Zandi
Outstanding
Dance
Kerry White
Pupil of Deborah Capon
Class
Prizes
Jenni Balls
Pupil of Sharon Zandi
Charlotte
Cable
Pupil of Nicola Bacon
Senior
Section
Winner
Amal Hassan
Pupil of Pauline Ash & Jackie Hutt
Runner
Up
Ellesha Newton
Pupil of Lisa Carter & Alison Forrester
Outstanding
Dance
Hannah Kilminster
Pupil of Jean Marks
Class
Prizes
Martine Hills
Pupil of Masters Performing Arts College
Ashley
Day
Pupil of Kay Shepherd, Stonelands School
Victor
Leopold Cup
Junior
Winner
Adam Brant
Pupil of Gloria Payne
Senior
Winner
Ashley Day
Pupil of Kay Shepherd, Stonelands School
Joan
Durrant Dancer of the Year
Elizabeth Greasley
Pupil of Chriss Campbell-Welch, Tiffany Stage Academy
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Marjorie
Davies Star Tap Awards: A Dancer's View
This is
my first time at the Star Tap. I was nervous when I arrived and even
more nervous once the class started.
It's very
hard to hear properly and see what is happening when you are in the back
row. I was surprised that the class was so large but pleased to see other
boys. We all got to know each other before the class started.
By the
third exercise I had started to relax and feel confident and I know my
dance went well. I felt really pleased and proud when I was picked for
the finals. I don't think I will be so nervous which means I should perform
even better all round.
I like
the atmosphere at Star Tap, particularly when we walk on and off to the
audience clapping. It is a well organised day and the people 'backstage'
are very helpful and friendly.
Michael
Newman (Junior Finalist)
Well October
13th has been and gone! All the rehearsals, costume fittings and hours
of practising have all been worth it. I started my day at 8am and caught
the 9am train to London actually feeling quite calm for me! On reaching
Cecil Sharp House I saw all the other competitors queueing with hair
immaculate, buzzing with excitement and nerves, waiting for the doors
to open, I started to feel butterflies in the bottom of my stomach. By
2pm I was ready for class, costume on, hair done, screws in tap shoes
checked and warmed up thoroughly. 'Number 31, are you ready?'. It was
time to line up. I said my 'good lucks' and 'you'll be fine' and off
I went.
I was really
looking forward to the class, but I was nervous about my dance, however
I took two deep breaths and when I was dancing I totally forgot about
everything apart from enjoying myself. When my class was finished I was
really pleased with my performance but decided not to get my hopes up.
Next came the long, long wait. I waited for the second class to finish
and then for the judges to make their decisions. Everyone outside was
happily chatting, anticipating the results. At last we were told to line
up and soon enough we were standing in a semi-circle facing the adjudicators.
My heart was racing; I knew that so many wanted to get through to the
finals but only a few would. Then they began to call the numbers. 'Number
31'... it was my number! I was over the moon. When I calmed down I realised
that my two friends had also been chosen. Then came the class prizes.
'Number 31'. I looked down at my number and realised it was me again!
The audience applauded and I collected my prize.
I had an
amazing day at the Marjorie Davies Star Tap Awards and I can't wait to
take part in the finals.
Jenni
Balls (Age 14 from Suffolk)
Up early,
showered, dressed and standing on the steps of Cecil Sharp House, London
in the wink of an eye. I am here for the Marjorie Davies Star Tap Awards.
In the changing room I put on my makeup and costume feeling nervous but
excited. The competition is underway, Tereza Theodoulou sets some steps
which certainly get my brain and feet in gear, and the standard of the
individual dances are exceptionally high.
I am so
pleased to get through to the finals and win the Senior class prize and
I know that at the end of the day I shall be wishing it was just starting!
Martine
Hills (From Rayleigh)
My day
started at 6am on Sunday 14th October, a day I had been looking forward
to for a long time. As soon as I stepped in the door of Cecil Sharp House
it was full of happy faces, excitement and tap shoes. I was in the second
class, number 120, the last dancer, so I had some time to warm up and
get dressed. Miss Theodoulou held the class. There were three exercises,
a warm-up, turning step and amalgamation.
After I
had performed my solo all the competitors were told who were through
to the finals and who had won the class prizes. I was luckily picked
to go through and was the winner of the class prize. Then I had an hour
until the finals to practise and eat!
In the
finals each finalist had to perform the warm-up and amalgamations and
then our individual solos. The adjudicators for the finals were Douglas
Mills, Susan Stephens and Betty Laine. I was very pleased to win the
Victor Leopold Award for the second year. One massive 'thank you' - I
could not have done this competition without my brilliant teacher, Kay
Shepherd. This day was very enjoyable and well done to all the competitors
who won awards. A special congratulations to Amal Hassan, winner of the
Senior Star Tap Award, a local friend of mine.
Ashley
Day (Victor Leopold Cup, Senior Winner)
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Jo
Corrick FISTD
Dancer,
choreographer, teacher.
Jo Corrick
died peacefully at her home in Leeds on 26th July 2001 at the age of
48 after a two year struggle against cancer.
Jo could
never remember a time when she didn't dance, beginning with her mother,
Valerie Corrick's school in Leeds as soon as she could walk. At the age
of 16 she continued her studies at The Arts Educational School in London
and then she taught at Arts in Tring for four years. After going on to
teach at The Pitt Draffen School, Northampton, she danced in cabaret
and theatre before returning to teaching at the age of 32.
She spent
the next 15 years working at both the Valerie Corrick School and The
Dorothy Stevens School in Halifax. Her contribution to the school shows,
staged at Bradford Alhambra, will long be remembered for their ambitious
nature, and revealed her extensive choreographic range from lyricism
to humour. Her keen sense of observation and attention to detail made
her work outstanding and many of her students, from Tring to Halifax,
have recently written to say how inspirational they found her to be in
their own careers. Jo was always eager to improve her skills, and with
support and guidance from Gaynor Owen, she gained her Fellowship in Modern
in 1992.
And what
did Jo do in her spare time? She danced! During the 90's she developed
an interest in American Folk Music and its traditional percussive dance.
She studied Jazz, Tap and Appalachian step dancing with Ira Bernstein,
from New York. Appalachian 'stepping', 'clogging' or 'flatfooting' is
an improvised form of dance; a syncopated marriage of tap and British
clog dancing. From 1994 Jo performed regularly as solo dancer and member
of The Sensible Shoe String Band, and was known affectionately by her
followers as 'Steppin' Jo'.
In recent
years Jo had formed her own dance company, 'Terpsicorrick'. In part of
her first production, 'Sweet Sunny South', set during The Great Depression
in America, she choreographed contemporary ballet to her own percussive
dance accompaniment. She had begun work on a second production with the
English Folk singer, Maddy Prior, when she became ill and sadly was unable
to finish the piece.
Jo fought
a courageous battle against her illness with calmness, serenity and a
twinkle in her eye. Her boundless energy, enthusiasm and sunny disposition
are sadly missed by all that knew her.
Janet
Herr
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The
Modern Theatre Dance Faculty Janet Cram Awards 2002
Juniors
8yrs and under 12yrs on 01/09/01
Must have passed ISTD Grade 2 Modern and no higher.
Seniors
8yrs and under 14yrs on 01/09/01
Must have passed ISTD Grade 3 or 4 and no higher.
Premier
12yrs and under 16yrs on 01/09/01
Must have passed ISTD Pre-Intermediate or Intermediate and no higher.
NORTHERN
HEATS
SUNDAY
28th APRIL 2002
The Dancehouse Theatre, 10 Oxford Road, Manchester M1 5QA
•
Juniors - 10.00am
•
Seniors - 12.00 noon
• Premier - 2.30pm
Spectators
admitted by programme, adults £5.00, children £2.50 obtainable on 28th
April at the door.
Details
and entries from:
Miss Jean Ashworth
Marianne Jepson School of Dancing
Nubcote Street
Oldham
Lancs.
Closing
Date for entries - Monday 1st April 2002
SOUTHERN
HEATS
SUNDAY 19th MAY 2002
Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent-s Park Road, London NW1 7AY
•
Juniors - 10.00am
• Seniors - 2.00pm
• Premier - 6.00pm
Spectators
admitted by programme, adults £5.00, children £2.50 obtainable on 19th
May at the door.
Details
and entries from:
Sarah Wilson
127 Goldhawk Road
London W12 8EN
Closing
Date for entries - Monday 22nd April 2002
SOUTH
WESTERN HEATS
SUNDAY 9th JUNE 2002
The Pavillion, North Parade Road, Bath BA2 4UE
Times to
be announced
Spectators
admitted by programme, adults £5.00, children £2.50 obtainable on 9th
June at the door.
Details
and entries from:
Judith Hockaday
Bali Hai
Prospect Place
Swindon
Wilts
SN1 3LQ
Closing
Date for entries - Monday 13th May 2002
FINALS
SUNDAY 23rd JUNE 2002
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Grade
1 and 2 Boys' Amalgamations
The Grade 1 & 2 boys' amalgamations (Cowboy and the Set-Up) have been
revised and changed to eliminate the use of guns. The Cowboy will now
use a cowboy hat and the Set-Up has been re-named The Search. These new
amalgamations will be included in all Modern Theatre Faculty courses
this year and will not take long to learn. There is no compulsory date
for these new amalgamations and teachers can continue to use the existing
versions until they have the opportunity to learn the revisions.
Download
changes to Grade 1 and 2 Boys' Amalgamations
To
do this you will require the software Adobe Acrobat Reader. This is entirely
free and can be downloaded simply and quickly by clicking on the icon
below and following the instructions. Once you have installed it, or
if you already have Acrobat Reader, simply click on the above link which
will open the page.
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