Conference report 2024
NZAHND 73rd ConferenceThis year, dancers, teachers and judges travelled to sunny Nelson for the 73rd NZAHND Annual General Meeting, Conference and Dance Development Course. This year, the event was held over the weekend of 20-22 September 2024 and was hosted by the Nelson Teachers’ and Judges’ Thistle Club.
Friday evening started in the usual way with the Solo Seal examination which was this year held at the Theatre Royal. The venue and stage were fantastic. Did you know that this building is the oldest operational wooden theatre in the Southern Hemisphere?! The candidates were Ariana Watkins, Mhairi McLarin, Danielle Joy and Neryda Duncan. The audience warmly appreciated their hard work and preparation and polished performances. Once again, Neil Baxter’s piping allowed the candidates to give their best.
During the evening, the Highland Dance Company of New Zealand performed no less than 6 items showcasing some favourites from the Heart of the Highlands show that had been adapted for display on their recent trip to the Port Arlington National Celtic Festival of Australia. They were a strong team of 15 including five new members, Sophie Borsboom, Bailey Smith, Zara Glover, Kaitlin Murphy, Kate Millington.
Helen Gilchrist did a wonderful job of compering the evening and the President of the Academy, Jackie McBride gave a warm thank you to all those involved. At the conclusion of Solo Seal, the President of the Piping and Dancing Association, Barbara Tait, acknowledged the close association between the Academy and the Piping and Dancing Association and introduced the Champions Trio. This new concept brings the three champions from the P&D New Zealand Championships together to perform as a group. This year they were 18 & Over Champion, Imogen Grayson, Under 18 Champion Chloe Kyle and Under 16 Champion Conor Overton. Unfortunately, due to injury, this became a Champions Duo but was nevertheless a wonderful celebration of talent.
There was an early start for some on Saturday morning with the Youth Forum welcoming more than 30 youth members ably led by the Academy’s Youth Representative, Imogen Grayson. They discussed topics such as how to improve the Academy’s digital presence and the barriers for young people getting involved in teaching and judging. The examination organisers also met to discuss and refine the smooth organisation of exams throughout the country.
The Annual General Meeting kicked off at 9.30am with a detailed opening speech by Nelson City Councillor, Mel Courtney. He was extremely complimentary of our Highland Dance style having attended the Solo Seal examination the night before. The attendance of life members Annetta Cowie, Sherilyn Hall MNZM, Cushla Piesse MNZM, Beckie Rout, Barbara Tait and Enid Weir was acknowledged along with Honorary Life Member, Bruce Cawood. Jeanie Borsboom and Barbara Tait were re-elected unopposed as South and North Island Representatives to Executive Council.
Following the AGM, members formed into their discussion groups and put their collective thinking into action providing valuable feedback and ideas to Executive Council. There were several different topics including how the Academy should use its funds to incentivise teaching, and whether or not there should be an option to use recorded music for examinations. There was also the sharing of ideas around how to get involved following completion of a diploma and an inspiring presentation from Kim Mavor on the value of the Academy’s Initial and Preparatory workbook resources. Next was a fun quiz allowing members the chance to brush up on their P&D knowledge! Who knew that Lynda Duncan was the secretary of the Piping and Dancing Association? The forum ended with a singing lesson from Sara Bishell. Fresh from her fabulous Friday night performance for the dance company, she was back in action teaching us Auld Lang Syne. With a te reo warm up involving mÄhunga, pakahiwi, puku, hope and waewae, and a perfect low pitch backing track, members of the Academy stood proudly and belted out a fabulous rendition of this famous Scottish song.
On Saturday afternoon, the Dance Development Course began with energy. There were some lively debates in the main room with Pamela Fleming and Jacqueline Seque presenting a selection of reminders for judges followed by a buzz session on some judging ‘what-if’ scenarios. Others attended the Sailors Hornpipe Stage 1 Academy Technical Training Course with Jacqueline Jones and Elizabeth Smith.
Everyone was keen to get themselves ready for the evening function. Buses left for the Beachside Function Centre at 5.30pm full of excited families looking forward to celebrating the achievements of their loved ones. The evening began with the presentation of 18 diplomas with many proud families looking on. This was followed by presentation of service bars and most notably there were three long standing members of the Academy fittingly acknowledged. Jean MacNicol who is still an examination organiser in Southland was awarded her 60 year bar, with her daughter Kirsty also there to enjoy the moment. Life Member Enid Weir enjoyed a very special moment being awarded her 70 year membership bar with her daughter and Academy president Jackie McBride there to present this along with her grand-daughter Maddi McBride receiving her diploma. Zenda Smith, now 92, then received her 75 year bar. An amazing array of Academy service. After a very tasty dinner and some Celidh dancing, the buses delivered everyone back into Nelson for a rest and recharge ready for the Sunday programme.
On Sunday morning, there was a strong crowd present for breakfast with Dr Sophie Hart. Sophie described her adventure kayaking the Yukon 1000 with fellow adventure racer Nathan Fa’avae. Her presentation was inspirational and an insight into some of the techniques she uses to manage emotions and maintain positivity in tough physical and mentally demanding conditions.
The first group session of the day was a High Performance Dancers session focussing on the Irish Jig Single Time and the Seann Triubhas. This was fabulous from both a judging and dancing perspective to delve into the finer points of these dances at a high level.
Local Physiotherapist Brigit Beattie then presented a workshop highlighting her insights into the development of turnout focussing on the strength needed to achieve and maintain turnout and the need for strengthening exercises to be age-appropriate and fun. Following feedback encouraging the Academy to offer hybrid online and in person workshops at conference, a group of members also attended this session by Zoom.
Workshops followed with plenty of choice on offer. Continuing with the hybrid offering by Zoom, there was a refresher of the 18 & Over steps presented by Robyn Simmons and demonstrated extremely well by Olivia Buchanan Letts. In other conference rooms, there was a session on turnout from Pamela Fleming and Lynette Mitchell which is the Technical Committee’s focus for this year. There were lots of great tips on how to improve turn out when teaching the basics. Barre, Centre, Dance presented by Julie Hawke and Kimberley Mavor with demonstrator Rachel Checketts, focussed on the technical detail of some more complex movements through the Highland Grades demonstrating how the barre, centre and dance sections build the skills needed to dance these movements well. Adele Swanson and Jacqueline Seque presented “Irish Construction Conundrums” with a really practical workshop on both teaching and judging Irish dancing focusing on how steps are constructed to show good rhythm and pattern. Keighley Fielding-Woodmass demonstrated expertly helping everyone understand the key points. Part 2 of the Sailors Hornpipe ATTC section also continued with valuable assistance from demonstrators Ariana Watkins and Abby Smith.
At the final session, members came together to thank all of those who had contributed so much to the success of conference 2024. Enormous thanks to the Nelson Teachers’ and Judge’s Thistle Club as we now look forward to Tauranga 2025!
