ISTD
Dance Sport Worthing Congress
Online
lecture notes
Margaret Connon, Jacqui Norton, John Taylor
and Pat Woor report on the varied lectures at this year’s
congress
Saturday
21st July
Rock ‘n’ Roll by Paul Streatfield
The first lecture of the day was given by Examiner and
DFR Vice Chairman Paul Streatfield, ably assisted by
Maria Howse, whereby he showed 3 variations, which were
all interchangeable, using syllabus and advanced figures
and showing a clever use of the arms combined with intricate
foot patterns.
The work was very well received by everybody and will
surely be ideal for the Rock ‘n’ Roll classes.
This lecture was professionally presented and was a
brilliant start to Congress.
Country Western Trilogy by Territa Corbett
3 dances were taught for various age groups; ‘Just
4 Fun’, a 4 wall dance which was ideal for beginners,
‘El Rey Split Again’ for beginners and also
a 4 wall fun dance, and ‘Heart of an Angel’
a 2 wall Intermediate Waltz line dance.
Territa confidently taught all three dances using syllabus
figures combined with developed choreography. She and
her dancers demonstrated the work beautifully, showing
rhythmical body actions and accurate foot placing, combined
with a good choice of music.
A most pleasurable and entertaining lecture to watch
and these dances will be ideal for the Country &
Western classes.
Modern Sequence by Heidi Cruwys
The two dances that Heidi chose were the Woodside Waltz
and the Torque Tango, and she was assisted by Lawrence
Jones and Zoe Stacey.
Explaining very carefully, Heidi showed how the balance
between Technique and Style is so important and how
to create better balance, control, poise, leg and body
lines. A strong emphasis was relayed on the technical
awareness of the individual figures.
Both dances were stylishly demonstrated by Lawrence
and Zoe in this beautifully presented and expertly delivered
informative lecture showing excellent teaching ideas.
La Rueda by Richard Marcel
This dance originates from Cuba, and is a Circle Dance,
which oozes body rhythms, musical expression and fascinating
movements combined with clever partner changes.
In his usual relaxed and unique style of teaching, Richard
explained 12 basic Cuban moves for this rhythmical and
exciting Club Dance Faculty dance. There was an abundance
of information given in this half-hour lecture.
This was an excellent lecture from Richard presenting
the work with detail and care. We were then all treated
to a fantastic demonstration from Richard and members
of the Elite Stage and Dance School.
Classical Sequence by Julie Earnshaw
Julie, who is passionate about Sequence Dancing, chose
the Latchford Schottische for her lecture.
Assisted by two of her pupils Kris Turner and Lily Ploughman
she dissected the dance bar by bar and gave an abundance
of hints, tips and excellent teaching methods in great
depth.
The Competitive Edge was her main theme, combined with
how important the use of the arms and head are and that
the technique should become habitual.
It was obvious to see that Julie is a dedicated and
knowledgeable teacher of Classical Sequence and she
gave a most informative lecture.
Dance & Party by Nigel Kirk
Dance 1 was 8 Bar Street Style – DFR Committee
Member and Examiner Nigel showed an interesting and
imaginative routine. Full of stylish lines/actions and
ably assisted by new DFR Examiner Mandy Pearce, they
demonstrated the work with natural Street character
and Style.
Dance 2 was a 70’s Party Mixer Routine, danced
in a Circle to 70’s Tina Charles music, this dance
obviously seemed much fun to learn. Again very good
imagination was used to invent this partner-changing
dance. Both dances were confidently taught and everyone
enjoyed learning them. It was a perfect ending to an
afternoon of super lectures.
Sunday 22nd July
Class Variations - Waltz by Melanie Schmitz
A first time lecturer for the ISTD, Melanie was partnered
by Jonathan Reed and she fulfilled her mandate very
well indeed, presenting an attractive grouping which
was easy enough to be successfully taught in a class
and yet had plenty of opportunities for stylish changes
of shape and further development. This was a most successful
first lecture for Melanie which was both carefully and
confidently taught.
Class Variations – Quickstep by Diana
Wykes
Diana Wykes showed and explained her work in her usual
calm, professional manner. Partnered by Daniel Luke,
she demonstrated an easy moving variation featuring
a Natural Pivot to Promenade Run and an attractive ‘reverse’
Cross Swivel. Carefully taught by an experienced teacher,
this variation could easily be split into several useful
‘snippets’.
Intermediate by Marion Lane
Marion who was assisted by one of her talented juniors
Terry Collard, has been involved in the development
of this Vocational Level Examination and she explained
that it was designed for candidates to develop a high
level of technical skill and performance flair. The
Preparatory Dance Exercises selected were chosen for
this purpose and Marion covered some from Samba and
Paso Doble.
Commencing with Samba, Marion explained the importance
of how to use the rib cage, covering aspects of using
upper body movement to produce the action and create
rhythmic response to music, combining this with a detailed
explanation of an expressive foot and leg action. The
solo and partner demonstrations danced by Marion and
Terry showed exceptional rhythmic interpretation and
were coupled with Marion’s articulate teaching
and first class technical descriptions.
Continuing with Paso Doble, Marion explained that the
purpose of the choreography, built around the Slip Appel,
was to practice rotation of the upper body to create
turn in preparation for the next figure, together with
acquiring tone of the top line, and with superb execution
of the figures this was portrayed in every respect.
With audience participation, this lecture was really
well received, being an informative one that displayed
expressive technique, strong characterization and performance
flair.
Ballroom Variations for the Small Room by Jill Bush
Jill gave us two very attractive groupings, first in
Waltz and then in Foxtrot. The Waltz variation was choreographed
to use three sides of the room but could easily be adapted
for use in a larger space. Partnered by Mark Willemite,
Jill demonstrated and taught the work beautifully, paying
particular attention to the very attractive highlight,
the Quick Open Telemark to Wing.
We moved on then to the variation in Foxtrot, a particularly
difficult dance to choreograph for a small room. Again
Jill showed a most stylish construction which moved
well with attractive ‘light and shade’ of
timing and shaping. The Bounce Fallaway entry to the
Outside Swivel was particularly good. An excellent lecture
in every respect showing groupings, which will be most
useful, whatever size of room we teach in.
Argentine Tango by Ralph Schiller
Ralph, who is an expert in this stylish, sensual and
seductive dance, taught the figures very carefully and
clearly. Beautifully assisted by Edita Doncáková,
it consisted of clever foot patterns and interesting
timings combined with different possibilities to give
the dance a different feel every time.
All the figures linked together naturally and showed
interesting content. This work will be ideal for the
Argentine Tango enthusiast.
Gold Star Development of Compulsory Figures
by Julie Tomkins
Julie, partnered by Michael Stylianos explained that
syllabus requirements are for the selection of 3 out
of the 5 figures from the published list, to form part
of the examination from GS1 onwards, which can be performed
at anytime throughout the choreography within the time
limit allowed for each dance.
Commencing with Samba, Julie lectured with excellent
clarity and technical detail of the various timings
and developments and, in particular, the use of sway
to assist movement and visual appearance on the ‘Rolling
Natural and Fallaway Movement’, and then continued
with Rumba.
Julie’s excellent presentation of this lecture
showed her wealth of teaching experience and with the
high audience participation proved the popular appeal
of this lecture emphasizing the importance now of the
usage of these figures for Gold Star and above medalists.
Jive Action for Competition by Graham Oswick
Graham presented a very knowledgeable lecture and conveyed
how dancers use and/or adapt the technique to achieve
the best possible results in today’s competition
environment, which was well illustrated to some of Elvis
Presley’s music. Graham had very carefully constructed
his lecture in a systematic way and demonstrated his
ideas with a breakdown of six stages to show how he
developed a strong rhythmic interpretation, including
co-ordination from the body, to produce better dancers
and maintain a good level of performance.
Inviting the audience onto the floor, Graham worked
through his excellent system including the breakdown
of the timing and explaining the accents on the second
and fourth beats together with a technical analysis
detailing the development of the foot and leg action.
Graham analysed and explained the technique to achieve
excellent musicality, his lecture culminating into a
master class performance that maintained the character
of the Jive.
This educational lecture displayed Graham’s tremendous
knowledge and expertise and was especially appreciated
by those involved in the training of both medalists
and competitors.
Gold Star 1 for Seniors, Tango & Quickstep
by Nicky Miles
Nicky firstly introduced his ‘young’ couple,
Jonathan Reed and Katherine Costain, who demonstrated
a stylish quickstep routine. Jonathan then partnered
a senior lady, Pauline Gleeson, to show the adaptations
which could be made to the routine to make it more suitable
for the senior dancer. Nicky explained that chasses
had been incorporated into a series of pivots to make
them more easily achievable and that a ‘hook’
line had been substituted for the throwaway oversway.
The overall appearance of the routine had not changed
but the content had been made more ‘senior friendly’.
Similarly in the tango routine, Nicky explained that,
where possible, he liked to "keep the senior candidate
upright" and to this end had adapted throwaway
and contra check lines. Nicky gave a most informative
lecture with many ideas for tasteful adaptations and
substitutions to make advanced work a real pleasure
for the senior candidate, and, as always, was very comfortably
in control of his large class.
Introducing Advanced Turning Figures by Richard
Hunt
Having introduced his demonstrators, Simon and Heidi
Cruwys, Richard presented his first figure, the Advanced
Turning Pivot, in Tango. This difficult action was made
much easier by the expert teaching ‘hints and
tips’ given by the lecturer. He explained how
the gentleman danced one pivot while the lady danced
two, and stressed the importance of careful placement.
Throughout his lecture Richard exhorted his class not
to forget the ‘Three C's’ - Collection,
Connection and Compression. We continued into the Waltz
where we studied the Big Top, another figure which can
cause problems for teachers and performers.
Richard advised the gentlemen to hold their position
firmly and to let the lady dance round them. The Telespin
was then demonstrated in foxtrot and carefully explained.
Richard advised that using a minimum amount of turn
and paying careful attention to the shaping and positioning
of the lady's head would reduce the difficulty of this
figure. To conclude a most informative lecture, all
three figures were then demonstrated in the Waltz.
Above Gold Paso Doble & Rumba Variations
by Peter Stokkebroe
Peter, together with his wife, Kristina, was presenting
his first ever lecture after turning professional in
April this year, having been World and European Amateur
Latin Champions and subsequently making the final of
the Open British Professional Championship.
Peter proceeded to demonstrate his artistic approach
in the Rumba based on classical variations to produce
a story line between a man and a woman which showed
many interesting features and developments. Their dancing
displayed superb action, control and feeling which Peter
taught with tremendous understanding of dance and movement
combined with excellent technical knowledge and one
could not believe this really was his first lecture!
Peter continued with Paso Doble demonstrating with Kristina
strong characterization, precision and superb body shaping
exhibiting choreography with exciting embellishments,
particularly enhanced with a slower tempo of music,
which was so well received by everyone present. This
lecture was a perfect finale to the day.
Monday 23rd July
Class Variations – Tango by Suzanne Hancock
Suzanne, a first time lecturer for the ISTD, partnered
by Darren Sawyer gave us a very usable mini-lecture
which ‘ticked all the boxes’, being well
constructed, enjoyable to dance and having attractive
highlights to add interest and challenge. The class
seemed to be enjoying particularly the combination of
swivels and the chasse to drop oversway. This was a
confidently and carefully taught variation.
Class Variations – Foxtrot by Karen Day
Karen Day, another first time lecturer, then presented
her mini-lecture, partnered by Gary Lathrope, Karen
showed us a variation containing several interesting
combinations of figures which class pupils would enjoy.
There was plenty of material which could be broken up
if necessary into useful ‘snippets’ to be
used separately. Again, there was plenty of useful work
for our classes.
The Box Rumba by Philip Stephens
Philip, assisted by Lorna Lee, analysed and expertly
taught this style of Rumba - beginning with the Basic
Step, Forward and Backward Walks developing into an
interesting group consisting of varied turning movements.
Danced in a more relaxed hold this would be an ideal
choice for social classes, and an ideal introduction
to the Rumba rhythm. This was a very useful lecture.
Latin Sequence by Julie Tomkins
Julie, ably assisted by Graham Oswick, taught two sequence
dances in a professional yet lighthearted mood which
animated the audience.
Dance 1 was Campari Cha Cha, a lively routine. Julie
and Graham were both offering technical points as they
taught the dance, aiming to further the presentational
skills alongside the body of the routine.
Dance 2 was Coca Rola Jive - a routine of varying shapes
and rhythms. Once again the interaction between Julie
and Graham conveyed spontaneously how to develop the
style and performance of the jive.
Variations for the Class – Cha Cha Cha
by Angela Cobley
A 15 minute lecture presented by Angela Cobley assisted
by James Montgomery, with an attractive group showing
good use of the music. Angela presented and taught the
variation clearly and carefully with an excellent response
from the teachers.
Variations for the Class – Samba by Maggie
Cox
A 15-minute lecture variations presented by Maggie Cox
assisted by Toshi Mitsuhashi, with a group including
standard figures, well choreographed to produce an interesting
lecture. Maggie ably led the teachers through the variation,
which was well attained by the participants.
In and Out of the Curved Feather in Waltz and
Foxtrot by Robert Aldred
Partnered by his wife, Louise, Robert demonstrated and
carefully taught two groups which had been choreographed
to fit equally well into both dances. In the first variation
the Curved Feather was approached from a Running Feather
in PP into a Pivot and followed by an Outside Swivel.
The second grouping used a Rumba Cross as the preceding
figure and exited with a chasse to a hover movement
appropriate to each dance. Robert explained that one
could ‘mix and match’ by dancing the first
part of group I into the second part of group 2 and
vice versa. There was clever choreography, careful teaching
and, as always, a stylish and most professional presentation
by Mr. Aldred.
Above Gold Rumba & Samba Variations by Per
Palmgren
Assisted by Diana Lacroix-Ribas, Per ensured dances
presented a challenge to everyone, yet careful and detailed
teaching methods produced good results.
The Rumba was beautifully demonstrated by Per and Diana
this variation was well delivered and should provide
everyone with teachable stylish work to take us into
our Gold Star level and beyond.
Their Samba was, again, stylishly presented work, well
broken-down and explained in detail, providing us with
up-to-the-minute ideas of choreography. Taught with
a good description of the step patterns and movements
included in the group.
Partnering in Both Roles by Heidi Cruwys
With Heidi's extensive experience in partnering in medal
tests and competitions, she was an ideal person to deliver
this lecture. Partnering pupils of all ages, from diminutive
Robert who ‘stole the show’ to adults, Heidi
demonstrated and explained how she adapts her own hold
according to the height of her pupil in order to show
him/her to the best advantage while still maintaining
a smart stance herself. She stressed that the partner
must assist the pupil to dance with control and must
not dance a child off its balance.
Heidi recommends solo dancing to build confidence and
to develop balance and control, and encourages her older,
more experienced children to assist in classes to gain
experience in correct partnering. A very well prepared
lecture containing much helpful advice for all of us
involved in partnering.
An Examiner's Point of View - Viennese Waltz
by Vernon Kemp
Vernon commenced by stressing that the Viennese Waltz
was not just a "Modern Waltz with the music speeded
up", but that it had its own, quite different technique.
Ably assisted by his demonstrator Gillian Cook, Vernon
showed some of the most common faults seen in this dance,
and then gave excellent teaching hints for improvement,
both in the technique and in the movement. He encouraged
the class when they took to the floor to ‘Step,
Swing, Collect’ and reminded them not to forget
to breathe out.
He recommended that teachers plan with lower grade pupils
how to get round the corners and stressed that some
older pupils' anxieties about the continuous rotation
and possible dizziness could often be alleviated by
correct dancing. A first class lecture, as always, from
Mr. Kemp, giving so much valuable information and advice
to help improve pupils' performance and enjoyment of
this lovely dance.
Above
Gold Cha Cha Cha and Jive by Harm Jan Schadenberg
Assisted by Wendy Kroeze, both of these dances were
taught by Harm in a relaxed, confident style with well
marked step patterns and rhythmical movements to assist
the participants in the execution of the work.
Cha Cha Cha - this group consisted of different shapes
and lines with varied holds, all adding up to an attractive
presentation of work for our more advanced dancers.
It was carefully taught with plenty of repetition to
achieve the desired effects.
Jive was another group from Harm and Wendy showing imaginative
choreography, which has produced an interesting collection
of ideas. The slick linkage of these rhythmical movements
resulted in a challenging group for the advanced dancer,
giving ample opportunity for individual expression.
Harm and Wendy's lecture ended with an unexpected treat,
when they announced that they would like to dance the
Rumba for the audience. This was a perfect end to an
excellent Congress.
A video of the lectures at Worthing can be purchased
from Dereck Brown Video Service:
72 Ledbury Road
Peterborough
PE3 9PJ
Tel: +44 (0)1733 264112
Online lecture notes!
Couldn’t make it to Worthing this year? For the
first time, all the notes written by the lecturers to
accompany their Worthing Congress 2007 lectures are
now available on the ISTD website.
So if you didn’t get your hands on a programme
then simply click here
|
