| Marjorie
Davies Tap Awards
Sunday
7th November 2004
Cecil Sharp House, London
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here for results>>
An
event held in the Centenary Year could be expected to produce
something special, so it was with the Marjorie Davies Tap
Awards held on Sunday 7th November. This event is a tribute
to Marjorie Davies and the many wonderful teachers of the
ISTD who follow in her footsteps.
A
near capacity audience created a splendid atmosphere that
obviously inspired the competitors. Throughout the day the
adjudicators were impressed with the high standard of both
technique and style and
Betty Laine, Petra Siniawski and Phil Thomas congratulated
the finalists and their teachers on some outstanding performances
and choreography.
Thanks
are due to Tracey Lee and Alan Burkitt for the excellent classes
given to the Junior and Senior dancers, to our truly wonderful
pianist Sheila Lucas and to John Sutton and his team for sound
and lighting.
I
am most grateful to June Rycroft for presenting the prizes
and to Murielle Ashcroft who never fails to give her support
to our events.
As
Chairman of the Tap Dance Faculty, I must express my personal
thanks to Nick French and Caroline Lavelle
who bore the brunt of the organisation, to all the adjudicators
and examiners who gave freely of their time on a precious
Sunday and the Tap Dance Committee who worry about the event
all year round!
Paddy
Hurlings
Please
note if you were unable to collect a medal on the day, the
number to contact is 02392 214131.
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| Junior
Section Runner up, Kathryn Davies |
Senior
Section Runner up, Jenni Balls |
This
year was my first time in the Senior section and I was looking
forward to the challenge it would bring.
We all travelled up as a school from Beccles in Suffolk the
evening before, staying with our teachers and parents at a
hotel in Brentwood.
My
family and I left the hotel the next morning to drive through
London to Cecil Sharp House. Dad knew the way having done
the journey several times before for ISTD events. Although
my class wasn’t until the afternoon I started to think
about learning the routines when I arrived, thinking about
who would be taking us and what the amalgamations would be
like.
What
I love about competitions is renewing old friendships with
dancers from all over the country, picking up conversations
that were started months before. I could sense the excitement
rushing around the changing room as we were all getting ready
for the
start when we were gathered up downstairs to meet Alan Burkitt
who would be taking our class. Any nerves soon disappeared
because of his encouragement, guidance and humour as he taught
us the amalgamations. His demonstrations were brilliant and
I felt well prepared for the afternoon which came around very
quickly. We changed into costumes and were lined up ready
to go, I could hear nervous giggles getting louder but once
we marched into the room they were replaced by smiles. As
I lead the class around the room the loud music coupled with
the clapping of the audience sent shivers down my spine. Despite
seeing familiar faces I remained focused on the task ahead.
 |
 |
| Danielle
Cocca |
Junior
Section Winner, Jake Dale |
I
really loved the different styles I had to dance during the
class and at the end I was satisfied I’d given my best.
I felt very proud to be leading the class out. Soon we were
all back again waiting anxiously to see who got through to
the finals. What a relief when my number was called!
It
wasn’t long before the Junior finalists came out and
I led the Seniors back in. I enjoyed it even more and everyone
seemed to be ‘giving it large’ as Alan Burkitt
ordered!
The
final was great and to round off a fantastic day all the competitors
were invited to have photos taken together. Congratulations
to all the winners and a really big thank you for a fantastic
day!
Lauren
Smith, age 15
 |
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| Junior
Section, Moyra Gay Class Prize Winner, Daniela Head |
Senior
Section Runner up, Jessica Swainston |
I
was hoping that this would be a special Marjorie Davies Tap
Award in the Centenary year of the ISTD and I wasn’t
disappointed!
As
soon as the eager and enthusiastic competitors arrived the
atmosphere was electric. The whole day ran very smoothly thanks
to all the hard work by those inconspicuous but important
people who help behind the scenes.
The
Junior class, taken by Tracey Lee, was absolutely ideal, her
expertise and vibrant personality gave the very talented competitors
an opportunity to give their best, however nervous they may
have felt.
The
Senior class, conducted by Alan Burkitt, was challenging and
most enjoyable. The exciting use of rhythm and variety of
styles enabled each competitor to show their full potential.
The standard was excellent,
so professional.
The
teachers are to be congratulated on their excellent choreography.
We saw, particularly in the winning dances, a delightful harmony
between music and dance, each complimenting the other.
Our
eminent adjudicators at the final, Betty Laine OBE, Petra
Siniawski and Phil Thomas said how impressed they were with
the superb standard of work they had seen today and thoroughly
enjoyed this memorable occasion.
To
complete this exciting day all competitors were delighted
to have their photograph taken and receive a special medal
to mark the ISTD Centenary year.
Congratulations
to everyone!
Helen
Green
 |
 |
| Jenny
Jones |
Kerry
White |
The
standard of the ISTD Marjorie Davies Tap Awards was such that
the appropriately named Michael Gunn - who produced the most
technically dazzling performance I have seen in a long time
from someone so young - did not win!
As
Betty Laine said to a packed hall at Cecil Sharp House in
London 'we have to look at the whole package'. Music, choreography,
look, technical ability and dance quality all have to balance
and compliment in this deceptively tricky genre. Paddy Hurlings,
Chairman of the ISTD Tap Dance Committee said to me 'it takes
a lot to make a good Tap dancer' .
I
must say it was a tonic to be sitting amongst people who understand
and know this. Experienced heads who care passionately about
the young people they had invited to do battle.
The
day started with the Junior class - a skilful bit of teaching
by Tracey Lee who gave the students material designed to appeal
- and reveal! Daniela Head's focus and grasp of what was put
before her won her the Class prize. For the Junior solo Jake
Dale - with his Astaire-like strength and lightness was a
worthy winner. His teachers, Debra Johnson and Hanna Wilcocks,
won the Gwen Carter Teachers Award for Choreography awarded
by Carol Ball - for a 'made-to-measure' dance.
The
Senior class was conducted by Alan Burkitt - fresh from a
national tour of 'Crazy For You'. This was challenging and
inventive work delivered by a professional with a no-nonsense,
real world agenda. 'Retain and deliver' - the audition mantra
of every professional dancer - was the order of the day here.
 |
 |
Senior
Section Winner,
Danielle Kelly with June Rycroft |
Victor
Leopold Cup Senior Winner, Michael Newman with June Rycroft |
So
when Danielle Kelly faltered during her amalgamation amongst
a series of step perfect accounts by her fellow competitors
- the game was up. Or so we thought. At the end of this tough
part of the class work the panel asked to see her again. There
was an air of suspense in the hall - some might say surprise!
A second chance? Well, OK...
Danielle
did not, as they say, 'bottle it'! The performance was not
only step-perfect but outshone in its control and charisma
all that had gone before. Her solo dance was of the same ilk:
assured with attractive lines, easy control, natural rhythm,
rooted technique - and a lovely smile. A good balance. The
right package. And she showed courage and tenacity along the
way. She won the coveted Senior Dance Award.
Petra
Siniawski, Betty Laine and Phil Thomas were right to give
her a second chance to show us what she could do. Like I said
- these people know.
Graeme
Henderson
Artistic Director ghtap Ltd.
Adjudicators
Carol Ball
Patricia Ellis
Betty Laine OBE
Petra Siniawski
Sue Stephens
Tereza Theodoulou
Phil Thomas
Sarah Wilson
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| Judges
for the day, Petra Siniawski (L), Betty Laine OBE (C)
& Phil Thomas (R) |
Winners
Junior Section
Winner
Jake Dale
Pupil of Hannah Willcocks/Debra Johnston
Runner Up
Kathryn Davies
Pupil of Corraine Collins/Andrea Yeates
Moyra Gay Class Prize
Daniela Head
Pupil of Emma Rogers/Liza Carter
Senior Section
Winner
Danielle Kelly
Pupil of the Tiffany Theatre College
Runners Up
Jenni Balls
Pupil of Beth Glennie
Jessica Swainston
Pupil of Jacqui Ison
Moyra Gay Class Prize
Danielle Kelly
Pupil of the Tiffany Theatre College
Victor Leopold Cup
Junior Winner
Jake Dale
Pupil of Hannah Willcocks/Debra Johnson
Senior Winner
Michael Newman
Pupil of Kathryn Wiggans
Gwen
Carter Teachers Award for Choreography
Hannah Willcocks/Debra Johnson
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