Yesterday was our medal presentation dance for the NATD (National Association of Teacher’s of Dancing) examinations which were taken in December last year. There were over 150 examinations taken in Ballroom, Latin American, Sequence and Line Dancing. All dancers achieved more than the basic pass, with a few commended and the majority achieving highly commended.
It is so pleasing when the majority of these dancers along with supporting parents, grandparents, friends and wider family come along and join together in our social dance and awards presentation ceremony.
All too often we are busy at events and competitions, whereas yesterday allowed time to have a chat and catch up with fellow dancers in a relaxed environment.
Although, there was plenty to occupy everyone, with lots of general dancing, dance displays, a charity raffle and of course the awards ceremony. Not forgetting or course time for tea and homemade cakes.
All the medallists took part in a display. They showcased their current work in waltz, quickstep, tango, cha cha cha, jive and rumba. With the more experienced dancers partnering those less experienced. It was then the turn of these more experienced dancers to provide their own cabaret. This year the theme was Mary Poppins and they danced a fusion of waltz, foxtrot, tango, quickstep and viennese waltz. It was a very tricky routine which they all pulled off brilliantly.
This year the raffle was in aid of Cancer Research. Thank you to those who bought tickets and donated prizes. In total you raised £105 – thank you very much.
The school award, this year, was awarded to someone who has been with
us for about five years. They take all NATD and ISTD examinations and compete both at the medallist competitions and on the open sequence circuit. Aside from being a keen, enthusiastic and helpful member of the school she achieved success in all her exams and competitions over the last year. Therefore the school award for 2017 was awarded to Grace Phipps – many congratulations.
Thanks must go to the FRoGS (Friends of George Spencer) for providing lovely homemade cakes and refreshments, to Chris for enabling us to use George Spencer and to everyone who attended for making the afternoon a most enjoyable success.
Next for the medallist competitors, we have the second qualifying competition of the year at Castleford. For the sequence competitors, they have a very busy few weeks with competitions at Walsall Town Hall, The Tower Ballroom Blackpool and Dudley College. Then before we know it, it will be our own competition at Long Eaton in March. We hope to see you at one (or all) of these events.