Local dancers attend North American Conference
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- Published on Wednesday, October 25, 2017
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Neepawa Banner & Press
Three dancers from the local dance troupe, Expressive Dance with Crystal, were nominated to attend the Scottish Dance Teachers’ Alliance North American Conference. They received top honours for their theory exams during November 2016 Highland Medals Tests held at Crystal’s Dance Studio in Minnedosa. Two of the dancers; Lara Denbow from Neepawa and April Bilcowski from Minnedosa, were unfortunately unable to attend due to other commitments. Vicky Elgert from Neepawa was the lucky candidate able to attend. Her exceptional work during dance exam time proved worthwhile as it took Vicky, her mother Judy and instructor Crystal Scott, to the Pinnacle Harbourfront Hotel in Vancouver, B.C. on Oct. 5-8
Thursday was spent travelling and getting settled in. Friday was an all day scholarship competition for 74 juniors, age 10-13, and 34 seniors, age 14-17; separated by which level of theory exam completed in February or November of 2016. The dancers competed in four areas: a master class that consisted of dancing well executed highland technique while letting your personality shine through. One hour to complete a written theory exam, dance a Nationals dance “Tribute to James L McKenzie” and a self-choreography. Results were tabulated and winners would be announced at the Saturday evening banquet.
The rest of the weekend was blocked into workshops: parent, dancer and teachers’ workshops, Championship steps for 2018 Highland Dances, Premiership Nationals dances, Irish Jig, Sailor’s Hornpipe, Hebridean Dances, Cape Breton Step Dancing, Pilates and Ceilidh Dancing. Also lectures were held on “Raising the Barre” – developmental guidance through ages and stages, “How to help your dancer deal with anxiety”, “Ballet for Highland”, “Medals Tests explained – from dance stars to teachers exams”, “Fitness and Cross training”, “Self Massage” and “Highland Technique through games and stations”. We took an in depth look at how steps are coming back to the “old ways” and keeping with the traditional methods of Highland dance.
Saturday nights Banquet was a great time to enjoy camaraderie with new dance friends and a delicious buffet style supper. Then it was award time. Each dancer was presented with a certificate of nomination and participation. The top six were announced and presented with a medal in each of the four categories: master class, theory exam, the Tribute dance and the self-Choreography. And finally the top three overall dancers were chosen from the junior and senior categories. The Junior and Senior Choreography winners performing their solos, the Tribute to J.L. winners and a Cape Breton step dance by Sabra MacGillvray, one of Atlantic Canada’s leading ambassadors of Highland and Cape Breton step dance, then entertained us. The evening concluded with ”busting out some moves” on the dance floor to a DJ.
Sunday was another busy day of workshops for the parents, dancers and teachers. Then off for home.
Vicky’s impression of the weekend; “It was an amazing experience! I had to work hard and push myself a bit out of my comfort zone but I learned so much, made new friends and had so much fun. I’m so happy that I had the opportunity to participate in such a wonderful event”.
Crystal Scott, Vicky’s dance instructor, was extremely excited for her and looked forward to sharing this experience. On the Sunday evening, Crystal was able to enjoy a visit with long time dance partner and friend Gaylene (Burton) Elliot and her family at their lovely home in Port Moody, BC.
