Conference report
This year saw New Zealand Academy members travel to the garden city, Christchurch, for the 68th Annual Conference. The competent Christchurch Balmoral Club hosted members over the weekend of the 21st-23rd September. The conference was held at the Rydges Latimer which provided a first class venue for all aspects of this successful conference.
Friday evening saw members board the bus for the capital of Christchurch, ‘Rangiora’, where the prestigious Solo Seal examination was held. The Rangiora Town Hall proved to be a superb venue for both the candidates and audience. The compere for the evening was Academy member and talented reporter, Emma Cropper. Entertainment was showcased throughout the evening by members of the very successful and acclaimed Highland Dance Company of New Zealand.
The 2018 Solo Seal candidates who presented themselves with great decorum were: Aine Blackman, Neryda Duncan, Lewis Gibson, Angus Hendry and Harriet Lintern. Neil Baxter, once again showed great skill and professionalism in his position as the official piper for this examination. Lewis Gibson was successful in attaining his Solo Seal examination.
Bright and early on the Saturday morning saw newly elected Youth Forum representative, Chantelle Shatford efficiently facilitate this session. The forum was well supported with 46 members attending. Alicia Craig, the Adrienne Haberfield teaching scholarship recipient, presented her report which was inspirational to members. Topics discussed also included: the use of technology, the ranking system, and panel judging. Chantelle presented a summary of the forum discussion to members during the Annual General Meeting.
The Annual General Meeting was officially opened on the Saturday morning by Life Member of the Canterbury/West Coast Centre, and Academy member Mrs Colleen Cole MNZM. A time of remembrance for treasured past members Mrs Colleen Parsons and Mrs Katie McDonald followed. A very fitting tribute by Katie’s mother Mrs Cushla Piesse and sister Mrs Jeanie Borsboom was delivered to a very humbled audience. Neil Baxter played a beautiful lament in memory of these special members. Mrs Beckie Rout, Life Member and Past President of the NZAHND gave her insights into the changes over the past 70 years.
After the official business of the AGM, members participated in forum discussions. The 2018 topics which provided members with lots to ponder on were: The Academy website upgrade, soft soled shoes for under 8 Irish Jig competitors, and junior dancer’s injuries.
A highlight for members was the presentation of history of past members by Executive members. Firstly, Orma Smith by Mrs Jackie McBride and then Mrs Jeanie Paton by Mrs Jeanie Borsboom. Both Jackie and Jeanie had captivated audiences while they gave an insight into both of these exceptional ladies.
The Dance Development course started with guest speaker Jan Bolwell. Jan is a playwright, performer, choreographer and director of Crows Feet Dance Collective, a dance company for mature woman. Jan engaged Academy members with her memories of Highland Dancing and exerts from her upcoming plays. Later in the DDC programme Jan ran a Dance exercise for mature movers session for senior members. Some members practiced the moves they learnt at this session on the Saturday night providing much amusement!
The afternoon judges workshops had groups assessing performances. These practical workshops provided some healthy discussions amongst older and younger judges. Attendees appreciated the time and effort local dancers put into demonstrating for this and other DDC sessions.
A lovely Christchurch Saturday evening loomed and it was time for the Diploma Presentations/Award and evening function. A special mention must be made of the two Solo Seal recipients from Christchurch Mr Brian North (1974) and Mr Terrence Sheridan (1972). The cake was cut by Mrs Joan Osborne and Mrs Mary Gannaway of Christchurch who received their 60 year bar. A milestone for the Academy was the first ever recipient of a 70 year bar, to absentee Mrs Nola Bernstone.
The Balmoral Club went the extra mile and had made fabulous hats for members to enjoy and Master of Ceremonies Mr Lewis Gibson made the evening tick along perfectly. Members danced the night away to the exceptional girl band “The Starlets. Talented Rebecca Boyce who received her 20 year bar was one of the members of this band. We were also treated to a duet by Duncan and Ronan Hendry – unexpected and amazing!
The Dance Development course reconvened on the Sunday with a variety of topics being presented by technical members: One grade at a time, Moving on up, Ahoy There, Figuring it out, Twice the challenge, A leap upwards, Stepping up, and With a Shillelagh under my arm. These workshops covered examination work, a presentation of Sailors steps from the past, finer details of the Irish Reel, set steps for senior dancers and the use of the Shillelagh. A group session on the Reel O’Tulloch also provided a chance for further learning. A very well balanced programme of topics was appreciated by members.
The 2018 ‘Learn a New Dance’ section, consisted of a piece of music composed by Mr Greg Wilson ONZM and choreographed by the Technical committee. Members were treated to “The Fern and the Heather” being demonstrated by two younger members, accompanied by the very accomplished young piper, Campbell Wilson playing the tune. This dance was enthusiastically received by members who took to the dance floor to learn this special dance.
The closing of 2018 Academy conference saw a resounding thank you for the efforts the Christchurch Balmoral Club put into hosting this hugely successful event.
The 2019 conference will be hosted by the Auckland Teachers and Judges.
