Conference 2016 report
The solo seal examination was held at the Mayfair Theatre with candidates Neryda Duncan and Sarah Robson performing at the highest level of our examination system. They were accompanied by piper, Jorden Caig who once again played with skill and professionalism. The compere for the evening was our President, Annetta Cowie who completed the evening with a fitting quote, “We can’t always choose the music life plays for us, but we can choose how we dance to it.”
There was also excellent entertainment by the Highland Dance Company of NZ with “Blood on the Loch” and “Hardship”, a tap solo from Dunedin Dance Academy’s Briar Taylor, and a wonderful selection of songs from Gladys Hope who was also a highland dancer. The programme, tickets, and gifts for the candidates featured their silhouettes which was a lovely touch from the Ghillie Callum club. Youth members finished their evening with a game of laser tag!
Youth members met early on Saturday at the Southern Cross Hotel at a session facilitated by their representative Leighton Terry. Leighton then presented a summary of the ideas generated at the AGM which ranged from thoughts on jig shoe inspections to the need for the Academy to have a greater presence on social media.
The AGM was opened by mayor, Dave Cull, who aptly referred to the Scottish history of Dunedin. A constitutional amendment was passed allowing electronic voting at elections.
Following the AGM, members were presented with information on the nearly complete Technical Progression Scheme which will provide a pathway of increasing levels of qualification for members of the Academy. Members shared ideas to strengthen teachers’ and judges’ clubs, generated ideas for growing the judges’ list and discussed whether or not Hebridean dancing should be added to the Piping and Dancing Bylaws.
The Academy heads into the future with its past always in view and over the next few conferences, the intention is to present interesting historical insights into our founding and early members. As conference was held in Dunedin, the focus was on Otago members. Jackie McBride presented a wonderful insight into the early days of the Academy through the lives of Doreen Casey, May Wilson and Daisy Horrell.
Members then enjoyed watching a video of the Highland Dancing Company of NZs recent performances at the Lorient Festival which attracted much interest from French media.
The inaugural “Blokes Forum” was held at lunch time. Sam Tait then presented thoughts back to members on what we need to do to attract and keep boys and grow our male membership. This was followed on Sunday by a two workshops focussed on teaching boys.
After lunch, the Dance Development Course commenced with guest speaker Ross Notman, Associate Professor of the University of Otago, presenting thoughts on teaching. He explored the concept of motivation suggesting that the amount of effort invested is based on the chance of success multiplied by the likely benefit. He also demonstrated the art of breaking physical movements down by teaching Leighton Terry to kick a football with his left foot. Great kick first time Leighton!
The afternoon was completed by a look at jig and hornpipe tempos. Many thanks to demonstrator, Maddie McBride, and piper James Wansink. .
The venue for the evening function was a mystery! But it wasn’t long before we were all sure that we were headed for Larnach’s Castle for a special night with the buses winding their way up the hill into the mist!
This year’s bar recipients were:
20 year bar:
Wendy Oakley, Dunedin
Kerryn Ferguson, Hamilton
Katie Mcdonald, Christchurch
Lee-Anne Anderson, Dunedin
Shannon Clarke, Dunedin
Fiona Cording, Auckland
Bridgette Manchant, Auckland
Heidi Boniface, Invercargill
30 year bar:
Heather Maree Allen, Christchurch
Helen Wilson, Nelson
Danitta Findlay, Christchurch
June Wright, Auckland
Elizabeth Smith, Christchurch
Jan Mckerrow, Auckland
Louise Caulfield, Dunedin
40 year bar:
Pamela Fleming, Auckland
Glenys Gray, Auckland
50 year bar:
Ann Corry, Otago
Margaret Newlands, Oamaru
Anne Marie Stent, Wellington
60 year bar:
Averil Bray, New Plymouth
Yvonne Darling, Dunedin
Mary Pat Hoare , Dunedin
Merle Hoare, Tauranga
Johanna Lees, Auckland
This year’s diploma recipients were (teacher’s name in brackets):
Victoria Wilson (Serena Laing)
Heidi Stolberger (Kaye Turrell)
Dawn Anderson (Jolie Hazley)
Ella Cameron (Serena Laing)
Madalyn Fox (Jacqui Seque)
Lisa Mccracken (Helen Mckay)
Honours in Theory
Morgan Vile (Robyn Simmons)
Kelsey Smith (Robyn Simmons)
Rebecca Healey (Robyn Simmons)
Jenna Mikkelson (Gaye Reid)
Isabel Clarke (Serena Laing)
Caitlin Davies (Elizabeth Smith)
Lauren Mclellan (Lynette Mitchell)
Jordan McIvor (Cushla Piesse)
Hannah McRae (Gaye Reid)
Beth Stewart (Susan Edwards)
Emma Tod (Julie Hawke)
Holly Webster (Helen Gilchrist)
Ruby Wills (Julie Hawke)
Honours in Practical
Christina Cotton (Christine Morris)
Honours in Performance & Theory
Lexi Fleming (Pam Fleming/June Wright)
Grace Owen (Robyn Simmons)
Reinstatement
Rosemary Armstrong (Jackie Jones)
The evening contained many highlights.
- Sarah Gluyas was presented with her Solo Seal Certificate after successfully passing this prestigious examination in 2015.
- The Academy also began presenting specially designed Solo Seal medals for the first time and this will continue to be done at each conference.Previous successful candidates were presented with their medals:
Barbara Tait (1974)
Pamela Fleming (1976)
Glenys Gray (1980)
Jacqui Seque (1989)
Serena Sangster (2014)
Sarah Gluyas (2015)
- Beckie Rout became our first member to reach 65 years of membership.
- Foundation member Doreen Casey’s daughter, Mary Pat Hoare received her 60 year bar while Mary Pat’s daughter Louise Caulfield received her 30 year bar.It was fitting for this to happen in Dunedin and is an example of the family history that is so strong within our Academy.
The night was topped off with some wonderful live music from Catgut and Steel with the dance floor full until it was time for Auld Lang Syne and for the last bus to leave the castle.
The dance development course continued on Sunday morning with members enjoying exercises from the draft Highland Pump syllabus to warm up.
Practical workshops prepared by our Technical Committee members and trainees followed. Workshops were:
‘Passing on the Passion – teach as a hobby, teach as a business’ (Robyn Simmons, Jackie Jones), ‘Grinding out the Basics Rhythmically’ (Elizabeth Smith, Adele Swanson), ‘Tips for Making a Difference’ (Sue Gill, Pamela Fleming), ‘Learning Theory’ (Cushla Piesse, Julie Hawke), ‘Boys in Dance’ (Sherilyn Hall and Jacqui Seque). There were also then senior and junior judging workshops which were well received. Thank you to the local dancers, Abigail Gilfedder, Sophie Low, Maddi McBride and Ruby Scott who came to dance at the junior workshop.
After lunch we were treated to a fascinating workshop of conditioning exercises from Sofia Kalogeropoulou. This was followed by learn a dance with an attempt at the particularly challenging ‘Crossing the Minch’! Thank you to Sarah Robson who was the demonstrator.
Running conference is a massive undertaking. A huge thank you to the Ghillie Callum Club and conference coordinator Jackie McBride for a fantastic weekend.
We all look forward to our 2017 Annual Conference to be held in Napier.
See the Galley for more photos from conference
