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Two
days of dancing with some great teachers - who
could refuse? I, along with many others, certainly
couldn't!
The
Northern Congress was enjoyed by dancers and teachers
at Salford University, near Manchester.
Sunday
20th October was the first day, where classes
were held for children in the Upper Hall. After
a very warm welcome by Patricia Prime the children
enjoyed a National class held by Marion Roberts.
Learning dance steps from around the world, it
was also a chance to meet one another. There was
lots of fun to be had and it was very enjoyable
to watch.
David
Needham held a Free Tap class where the sequence
was very lively and energetic. With the music
playing and Mr Needham's wonderful teaching, everyone's
feet were moving.
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David
Needham leading students through his Tap class |
A
teacher's workshop was very helpful and the clear
explanation of the amendments to Grade 1 and 2
Modern, by Sarah Wilson, made students who were
watching realise how much work needs to be done
to become a good teacher, but also how rewarding
it can be when you see a child learn each new
step.
After
the wonderful demonstration by the dancers and
the teacher, Chitraleka Bolar, of the elements
of Baratanatyam, South Asian dancing, I'm sure
many dancers would love to learn more of the interesting
steps and the intricate hand movements.
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A
student performing in Chitraleka Bolar's class |
Sue
Brice gave a brilliant Free Jazz class after the
tea break, where combinations put together made
a great Modern dance sequence which everyone enjoyed.
The
showcase was a great end to the first day and
all the dancers were fabulous.
I
heard so many positive comments from children
about the whole day, everyone seemed really happy
and pleased to be at the event.
"I thought Manchester was brilliant and I'd
definitely go again. It was a good experience
and I really enjoyed the Tap class."
This
is some positive feedback from dancer Laura Jones
from Barton Dance & Drama Academy.
Sharron
Lloyd said: "It was great fun. I really enjoyed
the Ballet, Jazz and the Tap".
It
was a good experience watching the children and
listening to their comments of the day, but on
the second day I got a chance to dance and experience
myself what it felt like to be taught by different
teachers.
Graham
Fletcher gave a very interesting but wonderful
Ballet class with an excerpt from La fille Mal
Gardée, where we danced as chickens and
cockerels! Although the movements looked very
easy, it was actually quite difficult to dance
but lots of fun!
Having
never done Classical Greek dancing, I was a bit
wary of doing the class, but with the clear teaching
of Cathy Carroll and the demonstration of the
different movements from the young girls, I found
it very enjoyable. The demonstration after the
class was amazing.
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'To
the River Flows' Hannah & Lillie Sarrafan,
pupils of Cathy Carroll from the Dupont School |
Lorraine
Swain was very encouraging when coaching Intermediate
and Advanced 1 variations. The feeling you should
achieve when dancing the variations was clearly
put across, it made you feel a lot more confident
when dancing the steps.
Jazz
was saved for the end of the day. With the class
held by Joanne Darnell, she gave us a fast, exciting
Modern sequence which everyone enjoyed - including
the teachers. It was definitely a perfect ending
class.
Again,
I heard many positive comments, this time from
students:
"It
was very enjoyable. The classes were made fun
and exciting."
This
is what Jessica Champion, a student dancer from
Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre thought of the
Northern Congress.
The
farewell and thanks was lovely. After all the
thanks to the teachers, Gaynor Owen received a
wonderful bouquet of flowers for her fabulous
organisation. I'm sure, after the two great days,
many people would love to experience the Northern
Congress again very soon.
Charlotte
Lamont
Sunday
20th October dawned and we all set off in good
time across the Pennines - great! We arrived in
Salford but immediately got lost (as always).
However, once inside the Maxwell Hall of Salford
University the warm, friendly faces were there
to greet us.
Sunday
Teachers and Children's Day. Where to go, that
was my dilemma. I did want to check my Grade 3
and 4 Tap amalgamations, but also wanted to watch
my pupils. It was their first visit so I divided
my time between the two. What seemed like hundreds
of children were on the floor, all excited and
full of anticipation, moving from National, Tap,
South Asian, Greek, Ballet and Jazz. Congratulations
to all the lecturers who coped admirably.
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The
audience get to grips with Chritraleka Bolar's
intricate hand movements in South Asian Dance |
The
children and parents thoroughly enjoyed the Showcase,
which gave them some of the best of the ISTD work.
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Showcase
performer |
Monday
Teachers and Students' Day Slightly quieter! But
the atmosphere was electric. We started with Sue
Brice, who was brilliant in her classes on both
days.
Onto
a delightful demonstration of National, going
from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales to France,
Portugal, Austria, Denmark, Czech Republic, Serbia
and back home before lunch.
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National
Class held by Marion Roberts |
Cathy
Carroll's Greek lecture was well on the way when
an earthquake shook the building and we were all
forced out onto the campus grounds. Her demonstrators
were due to depart straight after the lecture
but fortunately managed to delay their departure.
These Leicester dancers gave us a brilliant presentation
when we all returned to the hall after a brief
break for lunch.
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National
class
Photograph by Ray Smith |
The
afternoon moved on very quickly and soon it was
time to say goodbye and look forward to the next
Northern Congress with eager anticipation.
Well
done Gaynor Owen and all her team of helpers for
all you did to provide us with a rocking, memorable,
Northern Congress.
Kathleen
West
At
eight o'clock on the morning of Monday 21st October,
the students of Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre
gathered together to board a coach to the University
of Salford for the 2002 Northern Congress. I think
all who attended will agree that it was well worth
the early rise.
As
we arrived we were greeted by students and teachers
from all over the North West. The welcome by Chairman
Patricia Prime was lovely and prepared everyone
for the fabulous day of dancing and learning that
was to follow.
The
first lecture was by Sue Brice who taught fun
and original free amalgamations suitable for Grade
4, Intermediate and Advanced 1 levels, each one
with a contrasting style to the next.
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Jazz
Class with Sue Brice
Photograph by Ray Smith |
Then
followed an enjoyable demonstration of the National
Grades by some wonderfully talented children,
taught by Robina Smith. I think I can safely say
that this made everyone watching feel like getting
up and joining in.
Next
came an extremely fun and different kind of Ballet
lesson taken by Graham Fletcher. He taught the
chicken and cockerel dance from La fille Mal Gardée,
which brought a smile to everyone's faces!
The
Classical Greek lecture, entitled 'Athletic Tribute
to the Olympics', was unfortunately cut short
due to earth tremors, which resulted in the evacuation
of the building while safety checks were carried
out. However, the little time that we did have
to participate was great fun and after lunch we
were given the chance to view a demonstration
by five of Cathy Carroll's pupils, which was strong,
energetic and a joy to watch.
Following
this was a very helpful lecture by Paddy Hurlings
and Deborah Capon on guidance for Associate Tap.
It also proved useful to those who have already
taken this examination as they gave ideas on how
to teach exercises throughout the Grades.
After
this was a coaching lesson by Lorraine Swain,
who gave detailed and thorough teaching of both
the Intermediate and Advanced 1 Imperial Girls
variations, concentrating particularly on the
use of upper back, épaulment and port de
bras. This was hard work but very enjoyable.
The
final lecture of the day was an open Jazz class
by Joanne Darnell. This, judging by the number
of dancers who participated, was the most popular
class of the day. It began with a thorough warm-up.
We then went on to learn a funky Jazz routine,
which really gave opportunity for our personalities
to shine.
The
farewell and thanks reflected on a fabulous day
that was enjoyed by all who attended. The only
complaint would be that we didn't have a Congress
more often!
I would like to take this opportunity on behalf
of all the students and teachers who were present
over the two days of Congress to give sincere
thanks to Gaynor Owen and her team for the hard
work and organisation that it must have taken
to make it such a success. Thank you!
Robyn
Tedder
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