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Scottish
Congress
Presenting
South Asian dance at the ISTD Scottish Congress was an interesting
and exciting experience for me, Nina Rajarani and our students.
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Students
of Nina Rajarani performing Tillana |
The
dedication of the Scottish Congress, the support of the ISTD’s
Theatre Faculty and the participation of nearly 100 dance
students training in the various styles such as Ballet, Tap,
Modern, Classical Greek and Cecchetti created a wonderful
enthusiastic spirit of dance around Falkirk Town Hall on Sunday
28th September 2003. The day when Nina and I were scheduled
to present South Asian dance forms (Kathak and Bharatanatyam)
began at 10am with Junior Jazz class.
Nina and I had been given two slots to present Kathak and
Bharatanatyam. The morning session was a workshop and the
afternoon session was planned for demonstration-cum-performance.
There were nearly 85 young people taking part in the morning
workshop. The atmosphere in this large town hall was buzzing
not only with students but also their teachers and parents.
In order to give everybody an idea of South Asian dance styles,
we decided to present a small display of each style by our
students before the workshop began so that the participants,
teachers and parents could observe the unique features of
these two diverse South Asian dance styles. Our display began
with a short piece of Kathak dance by Archana Ballal, who
has recently achieved her Grade I in Kathak. Archana began
her piece with Guru Vandana (a salutation to the universal
guru, who is the creator, preserver and the destroyer of evil),
in praise of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, the trinity of Hindu
gods. This was followed by a short piece made up of technical
dance compositions and intricate foot work. The second presentation
was by Keena Pankaj. She presented Alarippu in Bharatanatyam
dance style, a pure dance item. Both these presentations were
very well received and gave a good insight of the two distinct
classical dance styles. It was a challenge for us to give
them not only an enjoyable session but also to experience
the use of the technique and movement co-ordination with hand
gestures and facial expressions along with the use of rhythm
in each dance style.
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| Morning
workshop by Nina Rajarani and her students |
Our
workshops were very well received. Some of the young participants,
particularly boys whom I met in the lounge after the workshop,
told me that they really enjoyed participating, but it was
too hard for them and they thought they could not learn such
dance styles as it demands a lot of concentration and a lot
of footwork, improvisation and movement co-ordination in fast
speed. I encouraged them and told them that their passion
for learning South Asian dance would eliminate all those difficulties.
I told them that I have a male white student, aged thirteen,
who has picked up Kathak very well and has reached Grade 3
ISTD standard.
After
our presentation, Archana and I went to see dance workshops
led by Jazz and Tap dance teachers. These workshops were very
interesting to watch and both teachers were very dynamic and
encouraging in their approach. They showed different movements
to various musical scores and some of the participants were
brilliant in picking up the movements faster than the others,
as some of them were senior Jazz students. Both teachers were
dynamic in using varied choreographic patterns and movement
vocabularies with slow and fast rhythmic tempo. Almost all
the participants in the group were students of Jazz and Tap
dance, hence both teachers could work on more difficult new
movement vocabulary and compositions, as the students had
a good foundation of those particular dance styles. I found
the rhythmic foot work improvisation in Tap dance exciting
and brilliant and I could see some similarity with Kathak
footwork. I also enjoyed the use of the music in the Jazz
workshop and would love to incorporate Jazz music into a future
cross-cultural Kathak dance project. I thoroughly enjoyed
watching both these workshops and I could see that not only
the participants but also the audience had a good time.
The
Indian dance presentation in the afternoon was in a smaller
hall and was mainly designed for teachers. The teachers were
keen to take part in the workshop, so I decided to lead the
workshop for them with the permission of the Chairman of the
Theatre Faculties Board, rather than giving a performance
display of Kathak. The time limit was too short to lead a
full workshop and to give good insight into the dance style
for teachers. As they were experienced dance teachers, I worked
with them on different footwork improvisation and a few short
dance compositions of Kathak, followed by an expressive poetic
piece describing the attributes of Lord Vishnu. Although the
teachers were very quick in learning the steps and gesture
language, the fast speed improvisation was a challenge for
them.
Nina’s
students then performed two typical Bharatanatyam dance pieces.
One was a narrative piece on Radha and Krishna (Astapadi),
performed by two students. The second piece was a Tillana,
a rhythmic piece with choreographic patterns performed very
well by Keena Pankaj, Saral Gor, Meera Shah and Poonam Vara.
Everybody not only enjoyed watching these young dancers but
were amazed with their concentration power, remembering all
these details of dance gestures, movement co-ordination and
rhythmic patterns. Nina’s students looked wonderful
in their bright dance costumes and beautiful decorations of
ornaments and hair with garlands of flowers and facial make-up.
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Performance
of ‘Astapadi’ by Keena Pankaj |
As
our flight home was late at night, we decided to watch the
final session of the day led by the Scottish Dance Theatre.
This session was very much based on creative aspects of how
to use the dance movement vocabulary for abstract and narrative
themes. The workshop began by using movements incorporating
walking, turning, staring, twisting, body contact or making
eye contact with the partner, going down to the floor and
getting up, using slow and fast movements in conjunction with
the music. The lead dancer also demonstrated the use of the
movements in a balanced way by showing the use of breath control
and using the whole right side and left side of the body from
head to toe in a balanced way. Archana was also asked to join
in the workshop and enjoyed it. A total of 12 dance students
took part in this workshop. The lead dancer was accompanied
by the artistic director of the company, who gave some ideas
on how to create dance on the theme of ‘Edge’
by keeping body balance and using a variety of movement co-ordinations.
She asked each couple of dancers to create their own movement
vocabulary to dance on this theme. It was fascinating to watch
how this company works creatively and gave each participant
the freedom of using their body creatively by providing a
particular theme. Archana found the session useful as she
also takes A level Dance and found it very different from
what she learns in her Contemporary Ballet class.
We
then both rushed to make our journey back to Leicester. Although
travelling was quite far, the day at the Scottish Congress
was rewarding not just from the point of view of presenting
or developing awareness for South Asian dance styles, but
to observe the work of other Faculties. The amount of interest
and dedication developed for dance among young people was
amazing. It was great to see so many dance students devote
their weekend to experience various workshops taught by different
teachers along with their parents and dance teachers. I felt
the spirit amongst them was great. There is still a long journey
for South Asian dance to attract such a large crowd of interested
and dedicated dance students, teachers and parents, but we
are getting there, slowly but surely.
Nilima
Devi
On
28th and 29th September ISTD teachers and students gathered
from all over Scotland and the North of England for the second
Scottish Congress at the Falkirk Town Hall.
The
venue at Falkirk was excellent and we were delighted to see
the Chairmen of all ISTD Theatre Faculties in attendance.
It is a rare treat for Congress to be held in Scotland, and
with travel to London so expensive and time-consuming for
busy dance teachers, there was an extremely enthusiastic attendance.
The
children’s day on Sunday was very well supported and
the floor packed for every class. Congress is such an excellent
opportunity for teachers and pupils alike to watch and experience
dance disciplines other than their own and each class was
full of energetic, enthusiastic dancers! It was a treat for
teachers to see how the uniformly excellent teaching faculty
coped with the daunting task of giving a class to such large
numbers with such a vast range of ages, abilities and experience!
The sessions for teachers were also well attended and we all
benefited from the chance to learn new aspects
of syllabus work or to watch and participate in classes from
other Faculties. I am sure we all wished to be able to work
with an accompanist like Roz Jennings!
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Junior
Ballet class |
The
day culminated in a workshop by Scottish Dance Theatre with
12 students selected during the day from the dancers at Congress.
It was a fitting end to the day to see how the dancers responded
to completely different demands in terms of movement and to
see how they worked with a professional, theatrically based
company. I am not sure if those dancing or those watching
enjoyed this more!
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| Lecture
demonstration by the Scottish Dance Theatre |
Monday
was the day for teachers and students, more focused on syllabus.
It was wonderful to see the majority of teachers up on the
floor dancing. The teaching was absolutely excellent all day,
I am sure inspiring us all as teachers ourselves with the
clarity and accuracy, balanced with encouragement and enthusiasm
which helped us all achieve a remarkable level of performance
by the end of each class. Special mention must go to Fabrice
Maufrais from the Dance School of Scotland for his elegant
and inspiring open class with the most wonderful demonstration
of how to ‘mark’ which drew a rapturous response!
The
afternoon ended with a session on the changes to the qualifying
exams. It was good to hear the changes directly from Matthew
Wilkinson, Head of Education and Training, as opposed to reading
them in DANCE, it is always so important to learn about major
changes to our examination system first hand. There was much
food for thought and I am sure we will welcome the improved
professional standing for dance teachers that the new qualifications
will confer.
Congress
is not only a time for learning, it is also a chance to meet
other dance teachers and especially for those of us who teach
very much in isolation, it was wonderful to end congress with
an informal glass of wine and chance to chat, not only among
ourselves but also with members of the ISTD Theatre Faculty
Board and management team from Headquarters. We all appreciated
that they had come to Scotland for our benefit and it was
wonderful to be able to match faces to names we all know.
Scottish Congress was a great success, the only pity is that
we have to wait 4 years for the next one!
Tessa
Ferguson
Cecchetti teacher and examiner
Sunday
28th September 2003. The sun was bright, the venue was perfect
and the two-day programme for this year's theatre congress
was superb in everyway.
Falkirk,
Scotland - a welcome return for the ISTD, from all teachers,
students and pupils who had travelled far and wide to attend
the lectures over the
two days.
Following
a very warm and welcoming introduction from Miss Prime, the
two lecture halls, upstairs for teachers, and the main hall
downstairs for students/pupils, became full of enthusiastic
and keen to learn bodies. The juniors were quick up on their
feet for their first class, a lively, fun and energetic Jazz
class taught by Thedi Joannou, whose wonderful manner ensured
that all who participated - from the smallest to the tallest
- started the day fresh and wide awake.
Gillian
Hurst's Senior Ballet lecture then followed. A balanced class
for pupils in Grade 5 upwards, incorporating her much enjoyed
enchainments from port de bras through to the travelling allegros.
Next,
well possibly a new venture for the children and students
- a demonstration, followed by a chance to participate and
experience the Indian Classical Dance styles, given by Nina
Rajarani and Nilima Devi. Again, all pupils were up on the
floor keen to follow the intricate hand and foot work that
was so easily demonstrated from the stage by Nilima. During
this time, the teachers upstairs had also been kept on their
toes. With not much room to spare, they worked with Sarah
Wilson on some of the excerpts from the new grade 5 modern
syllabus. It was very clear from the teacher’s applause
at the end, that this class had wetted their appetite for
all classes that would follow.
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Deep
concentration as young dancers try out South Asian Dance |
Karen
Collins' introduction to Classical Greek gave the teachers
a change of atmosphere, prior to Deborah Capon and Jacqui
Tapsell tapping them back over the floor with excerpts from
the bronze tap award. It was clear to see from the teacher’s
faces that it is not only the pupils who enjoy learning this
up to date and trendy new work.
Downstairs,
Lorraine Swain had the juniors up (those who were too young
or below grade earlier) for her much awaited ballet class.
The seniors were tempted to join in - at the back! - And again,
via Lorraine’s wonderful teaching, the energy and enthusiasm
of all pupils and students participating shone through. For
some it was lunchtime, for others - carry on dancing.
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| Lorraine
Swain taking the Junior Ballet class |
Thedi
was back on the floor, this time for the senior jazz class
- and if you didn't book your space, you didn't get on the
floor. Again, following a quick warm up, the students travelled,
kicking and turning across the floor, before culminating in
a jazz routine that I am sure has since been taught by those
who participated, to their own teachers both north and south
of the boarder.
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| Thedi
Joannou taking the Senior Jazz Class |
Time
for tap, and who else to give the juniors a class to remember,
but Jacqui Tapsell. A quick warm up, then straight into the
'Rap' routine from the new Bronze Award. The children tapped
their way from start to finish, eager to learn and keen to
please, taking in all that was being taught to them. Jacqui
encouraged everyone, and the appreciation was so clearly shown
by all at the end of this class.
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Tap
with Jacqui Tapsell |
With
a quick change to bare feet, everyone was back up for the
Classical Greek class given by Karen Collins. An enjoyable
experience for all, learning the popular 'triple runs’,
‘komats’ or holding with a 'freeze'. Both teachers
and examiners were still busy upstairs, having had no time
to rest between classes.
Robina
Smith had introduced the new Primary syllabus, along with
a grade 4 dance, keeping all on their toes with partnering
and patterns. Lorraine Swain followed with her working session
for the new Alternative Variations for Grades 3 and 4 Imperial
Ballet, prior to the South Asian dance being demonstrated
and then taught by Nina and Nilima. The story telling in the
Indian Classical style - given by Nilima herself certainly
kept the teachers alert, and with Linda Pilkington finalising
the teachers’ day with a session on the Cecchetti amendments,
the teachers had had a day that they will remember with delight
as well as exhaustion.
To
bring the children’s classes to an end, Robina Smith
gave a wonderful National class, based on Folk rhythms and
patterns, and although getting very tired, every child and
student enjoyed the interesting enchainments that Robina gave.
(I must mention the two tiny young boys who had hardly sat
throughout the day - keep going boys!).
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Folk
Rhythms and Patterns |
With
the teachers now downstairs, the last event of the day was
given by Rachel Smith from the Scottish Dance Theatre. 12
students - who had joined in classes throughout the day -
had been asked to participate in her Contemporary workshop,
and with her guidance and skill, they developed their own
creative ideas, working on varying ways of travelling, the
use of stillness and balance. Once more, all those who participated
gained yet more knowledge from another experienced teacher.
Monday
29th September, another bright, sunny day and while there
were slightly fewer in numbers, the day was still full of
quality.
Excerpts
from the new Grades 5 & 6 modern - introduced by Sarah
Wilson and smoothly demonstrated by students from The Dance
School of Scotland - commenced the day. Teachers were then
back on their feet and with Sarah’s clear and brilliant
guidance, they again absorb as much of this new work as they
possibly could.
For
those who watched, the open ballet class given by Fabrice
Maufrais - formerly of Paris Opera, Jeune Ballet de France
and the Scottish Ballet - was one of sheer bliss. I don't
think Robina Smith & myself (along with many others probably)
will forget his wonderful pronunciation of ‘pas de bourree’,
so that's how you say it! "If only” I thought -
"I were 20 years younger", I would have been up
in that class for sure. His brilliance in guiding and correcting
of all who participated and his superb demonstration of his
enchainments made the class - and where did he get his feet?
The
morning came to a much too soon end with an excellent lecture
from Deborah Capon on the Bronze Tap Award. Today, finishing
the whole syllabus within the hour, Deborah taught the teachers
with such clarity, if they hadn't known the work completely
before hand, they could certainly go home and teach it now.
After
lunch, a talk given by Matthew Wilkinson on the New Teaching
Qualifications, reassured all who attended, that the changes
that lie ahead, are not going to be as daunting as they probably
thought. Emphasising that these new qualifications will give
great benefit to all within the ISTD. Matthew announced that
he is keen to answer any questions teachers have either bye-mail
or by phone.
A
relaxing ‘Talk-in' brought the two days to a very satisfying
end and it was clear from all teachers who had stayed for
this day, that while they are a long way from London, they
are not too far - when in need - from some one who will help
them with questions and information.
Many
thanks go to Elizabeth Henderson, Scottish regional organiser,
for all the hard work that she does throughout each year,
and her knowledge of all teachers on Sunday morning helped
us all tremendously.
However,
it has to be said that neither of these two days would have
come so superbly together, without the organisational skills
of none other than Miss Gaynor Owen. Her enthusiasm for the
Scottish region showed in every aspect of the two days. I
am sure that everyone departed from Falkirk with many happy
memories, uniting together at the end, to show her their appreciation
and gratitude.
Thank
you Miss Owen for another wonderful Scottish congress, and
as it is only 'just up the road'. Please can we all go back?
Carole
Moseley
All photographs: Elaine Mayson
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