We finally made it to Lutterworth after the competition in January was cancelled and this was the first ISTD qualifier of the year which is unusual as we would normally have done two or three by now and so the first opportunity to give the new sequence dances a test drive.
We had some newbies to these events this time alongside the regulars but also a few absentees who were sadly missed but Boris hopes to see them make a welcome return at the next event.
The juveniles and juniors were first into action with their Latin today and Alisha danced here for the first time, together with Olivia, Tabatha, Kaitlyn, Brooke and Chloe. Although there were not significant numbers in the events, with all of them being straight finals, there nevertheless were some good dancers to measure up against. The younger members of our team proved themselves up to the task and in the Latin, Alisha, Olivia, and Kaitlyn won their events whilst in the Ballroom Chloe, Tabatha and Olivia all won. Chloe and Brooke won both their couples events and then in the Sequence, Chloe chalked up another first. An excellent morning’s work from our younger team members and one to set the benchmark for the adults.
Unusually, there were more adult competitors than children today and some different schools too. Like the children there were some excellent dancers so we would not have it all our own way. The Sequence came first and there were wins for Emma, Paul, Carla and Rosalind. Next came the Ballroom and Kathryn, Paige, Emma, Chris (who bizarrely danced a waltz in a tango and quickstep competition!!) Rosalind, Emily, Paul and Carla all claimed the top spot whilst in Latin, Kathryn, Lisa, Paige, Chris, Rosalind, Charlotte, Karen and Carla were all awarded first place. Craig & Emma, Chris & Lisa and Paul & Karen won their couple’s events in both Ballroom and Latin. Also worthy of mention today were Fearn’s third place in her first ISTD competition and both her and Alison T dancing in the Sequence three dance events for the first time after only a few weeks learning the dances, which is a great achievement in itself. Also Paige and Karly formed a partnership for the couples events at this event and danced very well with very little practice together.
As always we had some fantastic support which helps to lift the dancers performances and of course we need to thank our team of teachers and partners: Ruth, Luke, Liam, Grace and Craig without whom it would not be possible to do events like these. It was great to have almost a full turnout of dancers and partners and Boris equally enjoyed having a full team of bears in attendance after a few absences of late!
We have a bit of a break now before the next ISTD event in June and then we have the NATD finals in Blackpool at the beginning of July followed by ISTD exams at the end of July. Lots to keep us all busy then.