Spring
Congress 2006
This
year’s Spring Congress was held on the 12th March
at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. Below, Barbara
Bottaini from Italy give us her impressions, as does
Tap Faculty committee member Tracey Lee. For a full
report on all the lectures and demonstrations at Congress,
click
here.
By
Barbara Bottaini
Having always envied the possibility of English teachers
being able to attend Congress each year I made a special
point of being in England for March. Therefore it was
with great pleasure I made my way to London. After having
appreciated the elegance of the Royal Lancaster Hotel,
I entered the Westbourne suite with trepidation and
was immediately made to feel at home by the many smiling
faces and words of welcome.
The
day began with an enthusiastic Sarah Wilson demonstrating
with the participation of both students and teachers
how the Modern syllabus can be developed in free work
in a brilliant and varied manner giving us the benefit
of her analysis on how the work created in the new grades
is a strong basis for the variety of Modern styles existing
today.
This
was followed by some excellent ideas for developing
a sense of rhythm right from the start in Primary Class.
The young dancers used to demonstrate the work were
full of energy and enthusiasm confirming the validity
of the work and receiving numerous applause from the
public. Sarah Wilson presented her proposals with clarity
and simplicity. She was able to give life and joy to
a section which is often taught in a sterile manner.
The
importance of rhythm in dance was underlined once again
by Chris Baldock for the Tap faculty where the free
work was excellent. With the help of two bongo players
from his show, he managed to take a simple rhythm and
develop it into a splendid choreography. The highlight
of the day was undoubtedly the Showcases where the winners
from the various competitions demonstrate the quality
of work being produced by ISTD teachers; an inspiration
to us all.
From
personal experience I know how difficult it is to attend
all the activities prepared by the ISTD especially for
teachers like me who live abroad. On these special days
one returns enriched with a renewed energy and fire
also feeling proud to be part of a society that produces
work of such a high standard in all faculties. The benefits
attained from attending far outweigh any sacrifice.
 |
Jake
Dale, pupil of Hannah Wilcocks and Debra Johnson
and winner of the Boys Victor Leopold Cup at the
Majorie Davies Tap Awards, performs at the Spring
Congress |
By
Tracey Lee
At Congress this year I had the pleasure of being asked
to announce the programme for the Tap Faculty. It enabled
me to dedicate the performance in memory of the late
George Jones.
As
many of you know, he was the husband of Gwen Carter
and between the two of them they have probably enriched
and enhanced our careers in some shape or form. I'm
sure that George would have enjoyed the performance
given today by all the students who showed a love for
Tap and proved that the way in which the music is chosen
adds to the joy and rapport of the dancers' demonstration.
The
programme began with three male dancers who had all
won an award in the Marjorie Davies Tap Award competition.
It was wonderful to see the dancers showing a true understanding
of rhythmical beating as well as being truly entertaining.
This was followed by three male students from Performers
College whose routine had been choreographed by Emma
Rogers. This routine showed how tap has progressed and
was full of athletic, dynamic moves that left you breathless.
The
Tap Faculty programme ended with Chris Baldock and two
percussionists who with an invited audience set up an
exciting challenge between the two groups. Rhythmic
response was heavily featured creating a wonderful energy
by all.
Well
done to all who took part, I hope you enjoyed yourselves
as much as we were thoroughly entertained by watching
you performing.
Photography:
Elaine Mayson
www.elainemaysonphotography.co.uk |
