This years DanceSport Worthing Congress was held on Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th and Monday 26th July 2004 at the Assembly Hall in Worthing.

Read reports from:

• Saturday 24th July

• Sunday 25th July
• Happy Birthday to the ISTD!
• Evening Buffet Dance and Cabaret

• Monday 26th July

Saturday 24th July

‘Country to Funk’
Rachel Wadey and Paul Streatfield
To open the Congress Rachel Wadey and Paul Streatfield gave us ‘Country to Funk’. Rachel introduced us to ‘Shore Shuffle’, a partner dance with a Country and Western flavour. This could be very adaptable with a change of music for the coming seasons parties. A line dance was shown by Paul, danced to ‘Out of my Mind’ by Will Young. Well explained by two popular lecturers.

‘Lindy Hop’
Richard Marcel, assisted by Julie Oram
Presented by the Alternative Rhythms Committee, this was an informal lecture which was a follow on from previous lectures. They danced to exciting and very rhythmic music showing us the swing out Lindy turn and Lindy circle.

‘Country to Funk’, Paul Streatfield	‘Lindy Hop’, Richard Marcel assisted by Julie Oram

‘Fun Sequence - Blue Mambo’
Kären Byron assisted by Lee Williams
‘Blue Mambo’, a prize winning dance, was taught by Kären Byron. This dance with exciting Latin music was popular with teachers who were all enthusiastic to take the floor and learn it. The second dance was the contrasting rhythms of Stardust Saunter, a championship dance, again a popular choice and ably taught by Kären.

‘Fun Sequence - Blue Mambo’, Kären Byron assisted by Lee Williams

‘Bridging the Gap’
Sue Hammond assisted by Nigel Kirk
An interesting concept to keep the business rolling in at holiday time. One routine with two adaptations and different music. One for Adults (big kids), one for Juniors (little kids). No babysitters to pay! Two classes alongside each other, offering super routines.

‘Bridging the Gap’, Sue Hammond assisted by Nigel Kirk

‘Let’s Rock and Roll’
Anne Lingard
It was nice to see Anne presenting this lecture, many teachers will remember all her work from the Discorama days at the Hammersmith Palais. Three short danceable groups were shown by Jonathan Reed and Vanessa Miller. Compound and basic steps were used with interesting choreography and shaping plus the music of Jools Holland. There was an enthusiastic participation from the attending teachers.

‘Let’s Rock and Roll’ demonstrated by Jonathan Reed & Vanessa Miller

‘Sequence with a Difference’
Jill Bush
Two figures of the Lancers were ably taught to the teachers. What a wonderful way to finish the afternoon, everyone left with a smile on their faces after half an hour of fun dancing. It was easy to imagine the elegance of the ballroom with dancers in costumes in the early 1900’s.

‘Sequence with a Difference’

Mayor’s Reception
The Mayor of Worthing welcomed guests of the ISTD at the Annual Reception held on the Saturday evening. The Chairman of the Society, Robert Grover responded with a speech on behalf of the ISTD. Despite a particularly busy weekend in Worthing due to the Seafront Festival, they also joined us for the Buffet Dance on the Sunday evening. Their attendance on both nights was most appreciated.

Robert Grover (R) with the Mayor of Worthing and dignitaries

Sunday 25th July

‘Easy Variations in
Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep’
Heidi Cruwys
Sunday's lectures were opened by Heidi Cruwys who gave us Easy Variations in Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep. Elegantly demonstrated by Heidi and her brother Simon, the Foxtrot contained several interesting groupings which could be used separately, including a reverse turn into a second reverse turn, this time dancing opposite roles. I also liked the more challenging Heel Pull and Cross Swivel to a type of Hinge.

Heidi then showed us an attractive variation in Quickstep which moved well and will give class members a good sense of achievement without too much difficulty. Both groups were very carefully taught and were danced with obvious enjoyment by the large class.

‘Samba and Jive’
Nicola Nordin assisted by Goran Nordin
Nicola, partnered by husband Goran gave a wonderful workshop on Samba and Jive variations. Nicola, as always, gave us creative choreography based on Syllabus figures.

Amalgamations that are equally good for general social classes and advanced medallists, and developments ofrhythm, shape and style were superbly demonstrated by Nicola and Goran. Her teaching methods and manner give understanding, confidence and inspiration to all, enabling the teachers present to take more than just steps back to their classes.

‘Easy Variations in Slow Foxtrot & Quickstep’, Heidi Cruwys & her brother Simon	‘Samba & Jive’, Nicola Nordin assisted by her husband Goran

‘Salsa’
Richard Marcel assisted by Mary Deville
Sunday morning and after coffee it was back to the Alternative Rhythms committee who presented an interesting group using basic movements with a variety of intricate arm patterns and turns.

‘Rumba and Cha Cha Cha’
Paul Richardson and Olga Rodionova
Paul and Olga gave two good advanced variations, one in Cha Cha Cha and one in Rumba. Paul taught his class the Cha Cha Cha competently. The work was all about line, body rhythm and style. The moves are primarily based on basic actions, danced in a ‘cool’ way. The steps could quite easily be adapted to a more basic form, if that is what suits your needs.

Paul and Olga demonstrated and paced through the Rumba variations which included beautiful basic hip rocks. They ‘played’ with the rhythms in
their feet and especially in their body actions. Their dancing is sensuous and strong and they were well received with good applause.

‘Salsa’, Richard Marcel assisted by Mary Deville	‘Rumba & Cha Cha Cha’, Paul Richardson & Olga Rodionova

‘Gold Star 1 Waltz and Quickstep’
Raymond Miles
We recommenced after lunch with a lecture by a most experienced teacher and lecturer, Raymond Miles, who gave us Gold Star I Variations in Waltz and Quickstep. Demonstrated by his son Richard Miles and partner Lorraine Vickers, the Waltz group was just right for this grade, showing attractive shapes and lines, each movement flowing very easily into the next.
Raymond went on to suggest alternatives for more advanced dancers, such as the addition of pivots or timing changes. The quickstep variation was very cleverly taught, starting with a basic V6 and gradually developing and adding highlights to form the variation, and to increase the complexity for higher level dancers. So many teaching hints and tips were given here. A most valuable lecture with 'something for everyone'.

‘Gold Star 1 Waltz and Quickstep’. Lecturer Raymond Miles, demonstrated by Richard Miles & Lorraine Vickers

‘The Lady’s Role’
Nicole Cutler
A former World and International Champion, Nicole began by saying ‘everyone knows the woman’s role is paramount to a partnership’. She then spoke of a few key points, involving the head, body, legs and feet.
Because dance is all about ‘feeling’, discovering and experiencing for oneself, Nicole invited her audience to the floor to dance the New York but not as a step, something more, much more. The class members danced, at first hesitantly, but gradually as confidence grew, the differing character of Rumba, Cha Cha Cha and Paso Doble could be seen, as could the growing personality of the dancers.

Our role as a woman, said Nicole, is to portray the story of dance for ourselves, our partners and our audience. The woman’s most important asset is to have knowledge and understanding about how she is able to use her body to convey a different role in each dance, to express herself as an individual within each dance and the partnerships. Her role in it then becomes a compliment to the dance and the partnership. Her role is no less or no more than a man’s, just different.

In thanking Nicole, Lorna Lee, Chairman of the Latin American Faculty said ‘it helps to stand back to gain a clear picture of what you want to achieve’. That is so true. Nicole gave an absolute wealth of information in her lecture that asks us as women to take responsibility for our role. To be the best we can. To be informed, emotional and not afraid to find ourselves in dance. I found this lecture to be invaluable.

‘Viennese Waltz - Master the Fleckerls’
Geoffrey Hearn
Our next subject, the Viennese Waltz, was presented by that most experienced lecturer and technician, Geoffrey Hearn, who was making a welcome return to our lecture floor.

Geoffrey started his lecture by explaining the origins of the Viennese Waltz which was derived from Folk dance, often danced in beer gardens, in small spaces and sometimes on tables. As Geoffrey commented, perhaps the first 'Table Dancing'!

Assisted by Anton du Beke and Erin Boag, he went on to spell out the 'do's and dont’s' of this lovely dance. He stressed that it needs to be very compact and that the lady should be careful not to over extend 'at the top'. Moving on to the fleckerl, he first explained how to tighten the turn in order to dance reverse turns successfully round a corner, and then applied the same principle along the side of the room as a preparation for the fleckerl.
He stressed that the fleckerl must start with the preceding step, and gave many valuable teaching hints and tips. I particularly liked his idea of introducing the figure as one samba volta and a samba whisk, and his advice to think of keeping the weight over the left foot for one bar of music and over the right foot for the next bar in order to stay centered.

Geoffrey ended his lecture by demonstrating the fleckerls with Erin, showing excellent mastery and control. A first class lecture which was very well received by the audience.

‘The Lady’s Role’, Nicole Cutler	‘Viennese Waltz - Master the Fleckerls’

‘Champions Choice’
Paul Killick assisted by Daria Razinakova
Paul said ‘You have 30 minutes inside Paul Killick’s brain and my little world of Latin’. My oh my, what a world of passion for dance. The emotion of dance seeps from every pore of Paul’s body. His belief in the fundamentals of Latin dance are obvious for everyone to see.

Paul and Daria demonstrated an open hip twist into an Alemana the ‘Killick’ way, with swirling, rotational movement. Every move of the woman is suggested by the man. Daria rotated out before in with really flowing movement that filled every semi-quaver of music as they ‘played’ with the music through their bodies, bringing the dance and each other truly alive. ‘Because we love to dance’ said Paul, we ‘let it go, have some fun!’ Because Paul and Daria have bodies that are toned, well centred and trained, they can ‘let go’ with good effect.

When Paul invited the class to the floor they were at first a little hesitant but very soon his class were having fun, filling out the music, overturning left to hip twist right. Speeding the 2, 3 count to give beautiful time to ‘melt’ into the fantastic fan position. All about encouraging, sit there and relax is Paul’s way. Relax through the hips and from the partner.

Paul showed passion, fun and the love of dance and he thanked Peggy Spencer MBE for instilling these qualities in him from day one, when as a child he attended her classes.

‘Champions Choice’, Paul Killick assisted by Daria Razinakova

'Wheelchair Dancing'
Corrie van Hugten assisted by Sandra Kuipers and Ed van der Vall
Sunday 25th July 2004 was a special day for the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. Not only was it the actual 100th birthday, but it was also the first time we had experienced a lecture on Wheelchair Dancing.
Mr Robert Grover introduced Corrie van Hugten to take us into the world of Wheelchair Dancing. Corrie, who is the Officer for the International Paralympic Association, travelled from the Netherlands to be with us and told us that everyone is born to dance.

She introduced her demonstrators, Sandra Kuipers and Ed van der Vall, five times National Champions, twice European Champions and once World Champions in Ballroom dances.

Corrie van Hugten (R) wheelchair dancing demonstrated by Sandra Kuipers & Ed van der Vall

The room was silent as a captivated audience listened to her explain how she came to be in a wheelchair, but wanted to teach dancing to all wheelchair users including Ballroom, Latin American and Rock ‘n’ Roll to name just a few.

She started to teach teachers in the Netherlands in 1981 and then later progressed to organising competitions. She said most teachers only think of steps, but added that the music heard on the inside of her body was the same as on the inside of ours.

Corrie told us of four forms of dance:
• Solo dance
• Duo dancing with both people in a wheelchair
• Combi dancing where one is a wheelchair user and the other is able bodied
• Formation dancing

She dealt with duo dancing first and gave us an insight of how she choreographes a routine; first giving us the golden rule that hands and wheels go together in time to music.

Combi dancing is styled more like a Ballroom hold, but we still need connection and tone through the arms to gain correct technique and avoid shoulder injury.

Sandra & Ed demonstrating Combi dancing

Sandra and Ed who have danced together for over 20 years gave us a beautifully controlled performance of a Rumba routine but without music. The figures were very clearly seen including Basic Movement, Alemana Turn, New York and Spot Turn.

Corrie went on to tell us that there are 150 groups in the Netherlands dancing for at least an hour a week. There are 21 countries participating in Wheelchair Dancing worldwide, and these are divided into 2 continents who all belong to the Handicap Sports Association. Corrie hopes to be able to add the United Kingdom to that list very soon.

To end her lecture, Sandra and Ed gave us a demonstration of a slow Waltz Combi style.

Their dancing was beautiful to watch, combining perfect lines and complicated turns and spins. You could see why they had won the world title. At the end of their dance, they received a standing ovation, and I noticed quite a few emotional faces.

Their evening cabaret performance was just as special. Giving us a double show along with Paul Richardson and Olga Rodinonova, they gave us a tour into their Ballroom routines of Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango and their freestyle exhibition routine.

With Sandra dressed in a purple gown and Ed in tails they took us along on their journey through four of the Ballroom dances. The character of each dance was portrayed as if they were dancing together - you didn’t see the wheels of the chair.

The Waltz was smooth and fluid, the Quickstep was bouncy and full of energy, the Foxtrot had beautiful line and the Tango was sharp and accented.

When Sandra and Ed returned to give us their freestyle routine, they had changed into Latin outfits with a black and white colour combination. Their routine was breathtaking to watch, with Ed performing movements that required much skill and co-ordination. He held onto the wheels of the chair and rolled along, he pulled himself under Sandra’s chair and then was carried along with the momentum he created.

Another standing ovation was received and Lorna Lee and Barbara Grover presented flowers to both couples.

I am sure that through Corrie, Sandra and Ed our thoughts and ideas of
dance have been radically changed whether we are able bodied or not.
We now realise that, yes, everybody is born to dance.

Nigel Kirk

Happy Birthday!

Sunday 25th July
By happy coincidence the Sunday of the Worthing Congress this year fell on the 100th birthday of the Society, so it seemed only fitting that the birthday was celebrated in style with a special cake to mark the occasion.
The new President of the Society, Peggy Spencer MBE, was on hand to cut the cake in the presence of all the committee members and teachers attending that day.

Once photographs had been taken the cake was cut into individual pieces so that everyone could enjoy a slice during the afternoon tea break.

New ISTD President, Peggy Spencer MBE cuts the ISTD Centenary cake

Evening Buffet Dance and Cabaret

Those who attend Worthing Congress look forward to a welcome break from concentrating on daytime lectures, and the Sunday night Buffet Dance provides an enjoyable change of pace.

After the downpour of last year we were lucky to see a return to the weather that regular attendees have become accustomed to in Worthing, namely blue skies and sunshine!

Praise must go to the staff of the Assembly Hall, who managed to transform the venue from its functional daytime layout into something altogether more sophisticated for this occasion. Quite an achievement when there is minimal time between the last lecture of the afternoon and the first guests arriving in the evening, but as always an impressive job was done.

The Buffet Dance gives everyone the opportunity to dine and dance the
night away, but as it is the Centenary Year of the Society this evening was a particularly memorable one. It was, in fact, one hundred years to the day since the ISTD was formed at the Hotel Cecil in Covent Garden, London, and it was wonderful to see members as committed and enthusiastic as ever. Following the superb meal, our host and compere for the evening, Nicky Miles, called upon the Chairman of the Society, Robert Grover, to raise a toast to the Society on reaching its 100th birthday, and all gladly joined him.

Paul Richardson and Olga Rodinova	Sandra & Ed demonstrating Combi dancing

Attendees of the Buffet Dance took the opportunity to take to the floor themselves as the evening continued, and we were later treated to our traditional raffle, a great opportunity to raise money for the ISTD Benevolent Fund and worth it alone for Nicky Miles’ entertaining commentary! However, I think all those who attended will remember this Buffet Dance for one of the most remarkable Cabaret performances they will have seen.

Not only were we treated to a high energy performance by the world renowned Latin American dancers Paul Richardson and Olga Rodinova,
but we also were lucky enough to have with us from Holland the former World Wheelchair Dancing Champions Sandra Kuipers and Ed van der Vall.
The audience was spellbound as the two couples alternated dances to provide a performance that almost defies description, although Nigel Kirk provides an excellent summary of the performance above.

Some might point to the differences between the performances of these two excellent couples but surely it was what they had in common which made it so enthralling for those watching. For those guests who had attended the lecture earlier that day given by Corrie van Hugten (and demonstrated by Sandra and Ed) the question raised by Corrie ‘Is really everybody Born to Dance?’ was well and truly answered by the performances that night. A standing ovation let both pairs of dancers know what the audience felt.

What a wonderful evening, a fitting way to celebrate 100 years.

Jon Singleton

Monday 26th July

‘Easy Variations in Waltz and Tango’
Anna Cullum assisted by Neil Dewar
Monday morning started brightly with an excellent lecture by Anna Cullum,
a young but already experienced teacher and lecturer who demonstrated and taught with confidence, style and clarity. Both groups were well constructed and had attractive highlights to add interest and a little challenge.

In the Waltz I particularly liked the Turning Lock, lowering into a Ronde and Slip Pivot, and in the Tango the 'Argentine Cradles' to rocks and pivot were enjoyable to dance. A most professional presentation.

‘Gold Star Variations for Juniors’
Simon Cruwys assisted by Lawrence James and Primina Hurst
Simon’s attractive choreography was developed from Syllabus figures and is very suitable for Junior Gold Stars. Bar? Three of the Three Threes? In Rumba was demonstrated by Primera as a low ‘sit’ wrap around, which is possible more suitable for adult competitors but as Simon pointed out, could equally be danced with slight or with no lowering action at all.
Very quickly the floor was full of teachers eager to learn the choreography for their Juniors and I suspect for their Adults as well.

Simon has a natural unassuming charm, coupled with a relaxed, quietly confident approach. This style leaves his class informed, confident
and happy.

Everyone was very happy to have such good choreography that is suitable and interesting for advanced medallists or competitive couples and could equally be taught in ‘snippets’ at a social class.

‘Easy Variations in Waltz & Tango’, Anna Cullum partnered by Neil Dewar	‘Gold Star Variations for Juniors’, demonstrated by Lawrence James & Primina Hurst

‘Partnering & Presentation’
Mark Willemite
Mark presented a young pupil, Stevie, who was the epitome of the immaculate appearance we always see in all Mark's dancers. As he danced with her, he pointed out that, in order to show the candidate/competitor to advantage, the teacher/partner's dress should be subtle and never overpowering, and that the partner should dance in a controlled way which will present the pupil to best advantage. To illustrate ‘how not to do it’, Mark introduced a ‘new teacher’ who looked suspiciously like Nicky Miles, whose poor grooming, loud casual shirt and chewing gum certainly didn't project the professional, subtle image that Mark had described - neither did his overdancing as he hauled poor Stevie round the floor.

A most entertaining lecture, lightly presented with humour, but really getting an important message across. I wish that it had gone on longer. Well done Mark.

‘Partnering & Presentation’, Mark Willemite with young pupil Stevie

‘Don't Waste Your Voice’
Shirley Roche
Shirley Roche's lecture 'Don't Waste Your Voice' covered a subject important to all of us as dance teachers. Shirley chose not to use a microphone and in the short time available proceeded to explain the important 'Do's and Dont's' of public speaking.

PPVP was demonstrated (variation of pitch, pace, volume and use of
the pause) and detailed requirements of both voice production and good speech were clearly explained with just the right amount of humour. Congratulations Shirley.

This report by Vernon Kemp

‘Graded Examinations Level 4-6’
Marion Lane assisted by Lorraine Kuznik
With superb clarity of presentation and an enthralled audience from the start, Marion began by stating that a few weeks ago the very first Grade examinations took place with candidates taking Grades 1 and 2 in Latin American dancing.

She hoped that those teachers who regularly enter pupils for examinations will consider the Grades as a valuable teaching tool and will for all types of classes find these practice groups helpful.

Marion posed a question she is often asked - ‘what do we mean by preparatory dance exercises?’ It is to provide ‘targeted’ practice to a specific area for the pupil to be able to concentrate on a specific aim. The work therefore should be simple in design.

Marion and Lorraine demonstrated all the preparatory dance exercises for Grades 4-6. Such interesting well thought out work, demonstrated with immaculate style and appeal. The teachers present instantly came to the floor to learn the work.

These PDE’s (Preparatory Dance Exercises) are an integral part of graded examination but more than that they are invaluable, interesting groups that will enthuse the pupil and improve their level of performance whilst giving fun for all. A first class lecture.

‘Gold Amalgamation in Tango’
Martin Bishop
Our last lecture before lunch was a Gold Amalgamation in Tango presented by Martin Bishop. In fact Martin gave us three groups, all starting with a Reverse Promenade Link, which used nearly all the specified figures for Gold and offered us several new ideas for their amalgamation. Partnered by Katie Gleefon, he taught his large class with his customary efficiency. An experienced and thorough teacher who presented his lecture with clarity.

‘Graded Examinations Level 4-6’, Marion Lane assisted by Lorraine Kuznik	‘Gold Amalgamation in Tango’, Martin Bishop partnered by Katie Gleefon

‘Classical Sequence’
Vernon Kemp assisted by Diana Wykes
Vernon started his lecture by talking about how Classical Sequence originated in the French Court, as the social dance of the era. After explaining the technical terms and their origins, he taught two short sequences a Waltz and a Gavotte, using everyday teaching language and music with a difference.

‘Fun From Start to Finish’
Harm Jan Schadenberg
At just 24 hours notice Holland’s Harm Jan Schadenberg (who was on holiday at the time!) stepped in to present this lecture. He was asked to give a party dance, which he expertly did, dancing in a Latin style, with a bit of John Travolta and as Harm Jan put it, some ‘girlie stuff’.
This man has so much energy and style, he and his dance created fantastic fun. The class were laughing as they learned and didn’t want to stop.
Thank you Harm Jan, your spontaneous lecture proves there is no rehearsal for the real thing.

‘Classical Sequence’, Vernon Kemp assisted by Diana Wykes	‘Fun From Start to Finish’, Harm Jan Schadenberg

‘Professional Examinations’
Anne Lingard
Our penultimate lecture of the Congress was a presentation of an outline of the structure of the new Professional examinations by Miss Anne Lingard. An unenviable task, but one which she completed with her customary calm approach and clear explanations of forthcoming changes.

‘Cha Cha Cha and Jive’
Ian Waite
Superbly assisted by Anna Cullum, Ian taught his two excellent variations with an easy confidence giving good teaching points as he went. The Jive Variation is lively and very attractive and the Cha Cha Cha is good to dance.

Even at the end of the three days of lectures, the class was attentive and responsive to Ian’s teaching. Lorna Lee said in thanking Ian ‘what better way to end the Congress, lovely dancing’.

‘Cha Cha Cha and Jive’, Ian Waite

Alternative Rhythms, DFR & Sequence reports: Betty Bouston
Latin American reports: Janet Clark
Ballroom reports: Margaret Connon
Photographs: Ron Self

Date for your diary
Next years Worthing Congress will be held on:
Saturday 23rd - Monday 25th July 2005
Assembly Hall, Worthing

Congress Video
Don’t forget if you would like a copy of this years Worthing Congress video contact Dereck Brown Videos Services Ltd on:
Tel: 01733 264112
Fax: 01733 332055