The popular artsdepot in North London sees two major Tap events this year
Marjorie Davies Awards
It was still bitterly cold by Sunday 7th February, when the soloists took to the stage for the Marjorie Davies Awards competition.
The heats and finals were held on one day this year, highlighting some outstanding individual performances and innovative choreography, which is always encouraging to see. It is important that all dance genres develop in different directions and grow creatively and that dancers and choreographers remember their heritage, but also embrace new trends.
Tap Talent Day
The Tap Talent Day on Sunday 18th April was another busy event. This time it was the opportunity for group dances to entertain and impress and it was not to be disappointing. Again, there was plenty of creativity and flair in evidence, with clever ideas and an excellent standard of tap and rhythmic articulation, which is almost routine at these events these days.
Left: Senior Class with Emma Rogers (front)
Instead of cold weather, the participants had to contend with Icelandic volcanic disruption to travel plans. This meant that group members were stuck in various locations globally and herculean efforts were witnessed to get pupils there. Ferries took minibuses and taxis drove from channel ports in a feverish attempt to arrive in time to perform. It was a supreme effort by all concerned and one cannot fail to be amazed by the dedication and determination of parents, pupils and teachers in these unusual circumstances.
The day began with a masterclass with Dougie Mills, a firm favourite with young Tap students. He used his professional experience and Tap prowess to coax the tonal quality of the rhythms out of the students and define the beats and accents he wanted to hear; it was a worthwhile and enjoyable lesson for all.
There was also an opportunity to watch some of the winners of the Marjorie Davies Solo competition perform their winning dances again in a showcase of exceptional talent, before the group competition began.
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| ?Above: Back row (L – R): Mandy Petty, Sarah Wilson & Alec Mann with Marjorie Davies Awards winning competitors |
?Above: Senior Duet |
Three lucky winners were then surprised by the offer of a sponsored trip to Sardinia, Italy, to take part in the Dance World Cup (DWC) – an international dance competition for talented young students. Anne Tyrer, one of the ISTD’s multi-faculty examiners and an adjudicator for All England Dance and DWC, spoke briefly to the dancers and audience about this exciting event. The dancers awarded these funded trips were Shannah Spry, Junior Marjorie Davies Winner; Erica Jayne Alden, Senior Marjorie Davies Winner; and Naoimh Morgan, Premier Marjorie Davies Winner. We will follow these dancers with interest as they participate in this event early in July this year, so watch this space to see how they get on!
?Above: One of the competing Tap Talent Groups
The Tap Talent Group Competition got underway at 1pm. The Adjudicators were Carol Ball, Deborah Capon, Jackie Hayward, Tracey Lee and Lyn Richardson. This panel had a wonderful day and were very impressed with the standard of the work across all sections. The full results are listed on the following page.
Junior Group
Winner
The Boy Does Nothing
(Donna Claffey)
Sally Johnson Academy of Dance
2nd Place
Group: Candy Man
(Rebecca Sarrafan)
Dupont Dance Stage School
Junior Mini Group
(Duet, Trio or Quartet)
Winner
Evie Wateridge and Louis Scrivener
(Donna Claffey), Sally Johnson Academy of Dance
2nd place
Amelia Roberts & Libby Kenley
(Donna Claffey), Sally Johnson Academy of Dance
3rd place
Alfie Kadka, Joel Whitfield and Keanu Sunnar
(Rebecca Sarrafan)
Dupont Dance Stage School
Commendation
Amelia Harriet & Libby
(Donna Claffey), Sally Johnson Academy of Dance
Senior Group
Winner
Vivaldi
(Deborah Norris)
Centre Pointe
2nd place
Hit That Jive Jack
(Sarah Jane Bullock)
Beryl Jarvis School of Theatre Dance
Commendations
Transylvanian Tap
(Emma Whittingham)
The Deborah Lamb Theatre School
Fascinating Rhythm
(Rebecca Sarrafan)
Dupont Dance Stage School
Senior Mini Group
Winner
Naoimh Morgan, Claire Hurson
and Emelye Rooney
(Ann-Marie Morgan)
Morgan Theatre Arts
2nd place
Amie Keating, Gabrielle Orr, Gemma Lever and
Olivia Holding
(Deborah Norris)
Centre Pointe
3rd place
Fern Quinn and Natasha Jelley
(Rebecca Sarrafan)
Dupont Dance Stage School
Commendations
Rosie Bretherton and
Annabel Baldwin
(Denise Coxon)
The Dance Studio
Abigail Talmondt and Dulcie Garcia
(Jean Marks)
Justin Jones and Chelsea Hogg
(Rebecca Sarrafan)
Dupont Dance Stage School
Sam Stones, Jak Skelly and Joseph Wills
(Rebecca Sarrafan)
Dupont Dance Stage School |
