June 2017 DANCE CENTRE From the Director Chilton Dance Centre, Bronwyn Bennett I would like to extend a warm welcome to the new families of the Chilton Dance Centre and to the existing students and families as we come to the end of Term 2. The purpose of this newsletter is to update you on events in the Dance Centre and important dates regarding examinations and performances as well as any dance performances within the Wellington region and workshops and courses being held for students which may be of interest. If you know of any upcoming events likely to be of interest to Dance Centre students or achievements by students, please email the information to bbennett@chilton.school.nz I would also welcome digital photos of the Dance Centre students in performances or at workshops and seminars for inclusion in future newsletters or on the Chilton Dance Centre Facebook page which we regularly update with items of interest to students and parents. 2017 has been another busy year so far at the Dance Centre. The April school holidays saw a group of 22 Dance Centre students pack their bags and head for the bright lights of Los Angeles as part of World Class Dance Tours L.A Tour. This trip proved to be an amazing opportunity for all involved, with students taking classes at world renown dance studios and taking part in workshops and seminars. The trip culminated in a performance at Disneyland Studios, an absolute highlight for the girls who did themselves and the Dance Centre proud. During the April school holidays, I had the opportunity to attend a very beneficial teachers course with the Royal Ballet School in London. While there, I was delighted to be able to see several past Dance Centre students. I had the pleasure of watching past student Shae Berney in several classes at the English National Ballet School. Shae has made wonderful progress during his first year at ENBS. Jono Selvadurai and Lauren Byrne, who have both taught classes/choreography at the Dance Centre in recent years, are both currently based in London, Jono teaching dance and working as a Personal Trainer while Lauren has just moved to London to pursue the next step in her Dance career after another successful Fringe season with Dance Centre tutor Emma Martin. I was also able to spend time with past student Tayla Best who has just graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance, London with a BA (Hons) Ballet Education. Tayla has absolutely loved her time studying at the RAD and has had several offers of work following her graduation. The months ahead will continue to be busy for Dance Centre staff and students. We have our second block of Jazz and Tap Examinations for the year coming up in August, along with RAD Vocational Ballet Examinations in August/September, and RAD Grade Examinations in October/November. We wish all students entering these Examinations all the very best, remember this is an opportunity to showcase the hard work that you have put in throughout the year. Thank you all for your support so far this year. We look forward to updating you on Dance Centre achievements and activities later in the year. A scene from the 2016 Chilton Dance Centre production of Pure Imagination SIGNIFICANT DATES Saturday 8 July Term 3 ends Monday 10 July Friday 14 July NZSD Winter School Monday 10 July Thursday 13 July Grade School NZAMD Examinations (Advanced 1 & 2 Jazz, Tap 8) Monday 17 July Thursday 20 July Grade School NZAMD Examinations (Jazz 4 & 5, Pre Elementary, Elementary & Intermediate Jazz, Tap 5 & 6) Monday 17 July Friday 21 July Vocational Exam classes times and days to be advised Monday 24 July Term 3 begins Thursday 3 August Sunday 6 August Block 2 of NZAMD Jazz Examinations (Jazz 4 & above and Tap 4 & above) Wednesday 16 August Opening night of RNZB s Romeo & Juliet Tuesday 29 August Sunday 10 September RAD Vocational Ballet Examinations Saturday 30 September Term 3 ends Monday 2 October Friday 6 October Chilton Dance Centre Holiday Programme Monday 9 October Saturday 14 October Grade School - RAD Grade Examinations Monday 16 October Term 4 begins Monday 16 October Monday 13 November RAD Grade Examinations (specific dates for Chilton Dance Centre to be advised) Friday 20 October Saturday 21 October NZSD performance of Encore Wednesday 22 Friday 24 November Stage Rehearsals for End of Year Performance at venue. Rehearsal times to be advised Saturday 25 November Chilton Dance Centre End of Year Performance involving ALL Dance Centre students & styles Saturday 9 December Term 4 ends I N S P I R I N G C O U R A G E O U S, C O N F I D E N T, C A P A B L E C I T I Z E N S PAGE 1
DANCE CENTRE CONTACTS Dance Centre teachers can be contacted through School Reception or through the following direct dial telephone numbers: Bronwyn Bennett Office 570 4034 Mobile 0274 415 424 Chilton Saint James School Reception 566 4089 Please notify the class teacher or Reception if your daughter/son is unable to attend class. 2017 DANCE CENTRE LOS ANGELES DANCE TOUR During the April school holidays, a group of very excited Dance Centre students set off for the bright lights of Los Angeles to take part in World Class Dance Tours L.A Tour. This trip was an amazing opportunity for the girls who attended classes in a range of dance styles ranging from Jazz Funk to Latin to Twerking at world renown dance studios Edge, Millennium and IDA, as well as attending seminars with professional dancers and agents and an audition workshop. These seminars and workshops contained invaluable advice and inspiration for the girls to help them on their individual dance journeys. They also managed to find time to take in the sights and sounds of L.A including Santa Monica Pier, Universal Studios and the Hollywood Hills. One of the many highlights was being able to attend a live studio filming of Dancing with the Stars. Some of the girls even made it onto TV! The ultimate highlight of the trip was the opportunity to perform on Hollywood Boulevard and on stage at Disneyland Resort. The girls had been working hard since the beginning of the year with Dance Centre teachers Bri, Miss Warren, Leigh, Emma and Lauren to create and perfect a 20-minute costumed performance for the tour and they outdid themselves. The girls drew a large crowd to their stage and did both themselves and the Dance Centre proud. A huge thank you needs to go to the Director of Chilton Dance Centre, Bronwyn Bennett, for making this opportunity a reality for the girls, and for taking care of the planning that goes into making a trip of this scale a possibility. Thank you to the wonderful Dance Centre teachers who not only choreographed the amazing Disney performance but also spent hours working with the girls to make sure that they could perform it to their absolute best. Thank you to the chaperones who travelled with the group and to the parents for their support. And last but definitely not least a huge thank you to those who organised the many successful fundraising events. From the Quiz Night and the Car Rally, to the Ballerina Movie Preview and the Variety Show, each of these events was extremely well organised and highly enjoyable for all who attended. Georgia Kellett provided the following paragraph about her time on the L.A tour: My experience in the LA Dance Tour was unforgettable! Every second was filled with fantastic experiences that I will never forget. Everyone there was beyond helpful and encouraging to all of us. There were many highlights on the trip, but I believe that my favourite would be, taking Tap at Millennium Dance Complex. Without exaggerating it was life changing. I would do the tour again in a heartbeat. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS Chilton Dance Centre students have again successfully auditioned for the 2017 Aspirational programmes at New Zealand School of Dance. The following students have been selected: Junior Associates: Yolana Maria Batista-Vizcarra, Emily Calvert, Tara Canton, ChaCha Ellis, Caitlin Hickey, Mason King, Danielle Taylor, Oskar Temel, Tsuyumi Wilson-Travis Regional Scholars: Madeline Armstrong, Yolana Maria Batista- Vizcarra, Sophia Brewerton, Anya Down, Chacha Ellis, Grace Garratt, Ashley Griffen, Caitlin Hickey, Mason King, Piper King, Oskar Temel, Tsuyumi Wilson-Travis Dance Centre and Chilton Ballet Academy students Tsuyumi Wilson-Travis and Yolana-Maria Batista Vizcarra successfully auditioned for the 2017 Royal New Zealand Ballet Mentor Programme. This is a wonderful achievement and opportunity well done girls. Over Easter weekend the Alana Haines Australasian Awards took place at the St James theatre in Wellington. Several Dance Centre students took part in the awards. Congratulations to Olivia Duncan who made it through to the Junior Quarter Finals, and to Caitlin Hickey and Mason King who made it through to the Quarter Finals in the Supreme Awards. Maia Browne has been nominated for PACANZ Young Performer of the Year for the Modern/Jazz section to be held in October. This is a wonderful achievement, well done Maia. We are very happy to announce that Chilton Dance Centre and Chilton Ballet Academy student Caitlin Hickey has been accepted on full scholarship to the English National Ballet School. This is a fantastic achievement, both to be accepted into training and to be the recipient of a full scholarship. Caitlin will depart for London in August and we wish her all the very best for this exciting step on her dance journey. Dance Centre and Chilton Ballet Academy student Caitlin Hickey. Chilton Dance Centre students performing at Disneyland Resort. Studio showing before the Alana Haines Awards. PAGE 2
STUDENT EXPERIENCES Chilton Dance Centre and Chilton Ballet Academy student Tsuyumi Wilson-Travis has kindly provided the following paragraph about her experiences in the 2017 Royal New Zealand Ballet Mentor Programme: This year, I was chosen to be a part of the Royal New Zealand Ballet Mentor Programme. I was lucky enough to get Alayna Ng as my mentor, an ex-chilton Dance Centre student. So far I have had an amazing experience-free tickets to the RNZB seasons, open class with Alayna as well as meeting and talking to her and watching the company classes. Being in the Mentor Programme is a fantastic opportunity for me which will hopefully help me further my career in ballet. In June Chilton Dance Centre had three Hip Hop Crews competing at the Hip Hop Unite National Competition. All three Crews, Deja, Intricate and Velocity, put their absolute heart and soul into their performances and wowed the crowd with their vibrant and energetic sets. We are extremely proud of the girls and look forward to seeing what the future holds for them. Emily McDermott wrote the following paragraph about her experience performing as part of Velocity : This was our first time as a team competing in such a wellknown event. As a group, we were shocked at how amazing the competition were. We left our hearts on the stage and absorbed the entire experience as it was so rare to see so many people coming together because of dance. As a team we would thoroughly love to do it again! Tara Canton, from Intricate, provided the following paragraph about performing at Hip Hop Unite: It was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. It really changed my perspective of Hip Hop dance and it really inspired me watching the world level crews work their stuff on stage. Hip Hop Unite left a significant imprint on me and I can t wait to compete next year. PAST STUDENTS A quick update on some of the Dance Centre s past students: Shae Berney, pictured here with English National Ballet School 1st year male tutor Juan Eymar, will soon complete his first year of study at ENBS where he was offered a full scholarship for their three-year training programme. Shae has made great progress during his first year and we are excited to see what the future holds for him. Tayla Best, featured here in the RAD prospectus, has just graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance, London with a BA (Hons) Ballet Education. Tayla has loved her time in London and has been offered several teaching opportunities in London following her graduation. It has been wonderful to see Tayla following her passion for teaching. Representing Chilton Dance Centre at the Hip Hop Unite National Competition: Top: Deja, Below: Velocity. Chantal Pinguet has graduated from the Rudra Bejart School in Lausanne and has gone on to accept a contract with the Poznan Opera Ballet in Poland. This is a wonderful achievement and opportunity and we look forward to following Chantel s career as a professional dancer. PAGE 3
CHILTON BALLET ACADEMY Term 1 2017 saw the launch of the Chilton Ballet Academy, a programme which has been designed to give promising and dedicated dancers whose goal is to pursue a career in dance, the best possible platform from which to achieve their potential. Seven students successfully auditioned for the 2017 programme and are now able to increase their focus on dance without neglecting their academic studies. The students spend half of their day in a range of dance classes including Classical Ballet Technique, Pointe Technique, Repertoire, Yoga and Coaching. They have also had the opportunity to take part in workshops and block courses with a range of guest tutors. The Academy has been a great success and both the students and the teachers are enjoying the opportunity to work in such a tailored programme and environment. Entry into the Chilton Ballet Academy is through an audition and interview process only. If you would like to receive more information on the Academy, please contact Bronwyn Bennett at bbennett@chilton.school.nz or 04 570 4034. CBA student Sam Ead has provided the following paragraph on her year so far in the Academy: This year, Chilton Saint James School launched New Zealand's very first ballet academy. Having the opportunity to be one of the very first students in the Chilton Ballet Academy is such a privilege and when I found out that I was going to be a part of it I was so excited! Our school timetable at CBA has been divided between academic and dance studies. We study Psychology, Maths, Art, Drama and English on top of Classical Ballet Technique, Pointe Technique, Repertoire, Coaching, Yoga, Pilates and Conditioning. A school week for me and the other girls is around 16 hours of dancing related activities which is incredible! This doesn't include after school dance classes, but as we now are able to dance so often during the day many of us aren't taking so many out of school classes which is great as it gives us more time to rest our bodies and focus on our academic studies. CBA has such a supportive environment with a group of dedicated staff as well as like-minded students. It is the most incredible feeling being in a group where there is so much passion for what we do, I can already tell that this program is going to immensely help me on my journey to achieving my goal of becoming a professional dancer someday. I am truly grateful to be a part of the academy, I enjoy it so much thanks to all my amazing tutors and I would recommend this to any young aspiring dancers, it is really worth it. Chilton Ballet Academy students and tutor and Director Bronwyn Bennett during a seminar with Royal New Zealand Ballet Company Educator Pagan Dorgan 2017 EXAMINATIONS The first block of exams for this year have just taken place. Students from Pre Grade Jazz and Tap, Jazz 1, 2, 3 & SLS; Tap 1, 2 & 3 and all Hip Hop and Medal Test levels sat their Examinations in June. The students have been working hard during Grade School, extra lessons and in their weekly classes in order to put their best foot forward in the exam room and they did themselves proud. Their teachers, Miss Warren, Miss Alisha, Bri and Catherine, are extremely proud of the effort that the students put in and hope that they thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Examinations are a great opportunity for students to see the rewards of their hard work throughout the year. The Medal Tests again proved popular with students enjoying the opportunity to perform in front of their family and friends as well as the Examiner. With a number of Examinations still to take place this year, classes are hard at work preparing. The second block of Jazz and Tap Examinations will take place from 3-6 August and will include Jazz 4 & above and Tap 4 & above. We will also have students sitting their RAD Vocational Ballet Examinations from 29 August 10 September and RAD Grade Examinations during October/November. We wish all students taking part in these Examinations all the very best. Always work hard so that you are able to perform at your best and enjoy every opportunity to dance. Pre Grade Jazz students with Examiner Claire Patton. CLASS UNIFORM A reminder that all students must wear the correct uniform to all classes. A combination of any of the uniform items may be worn to Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary and Musical Theatre classes (¾ leggings, hotpants, ¾ and full length Hip Hop pants, crop tops, singlets, and t-shirts). The uniform for Examinations is as follows: Jazz & Tap: ¾ regulation Dance Centre leggings Regulation Dance Centre singlet Hip Hop: ¾ or full length regulation Dance Centre Hip Hop pants Regulation Dance Centre singlet Ballet - Preschool, Pre-Primary in Dance, Primary in Dance: Pink sleeveless RAD style leotard Flesh coloured ballet socks Pink ballet shoes with ½ inch flesh elastic Pink RAD skirt Energetiks full circle skirt Ballet - Grades 1 5: Navy sleeveless round neck RAD style leotard (Grade 1 4) Navy camisole RAD style leotard (Grade 5) Flesh coloured ballet socks (Grade 1 4) Pink ballet tights (Grade 5) Pink ballet shoes with ½ inch elastic Black full circle character skirt, mid-calf length with regulation Dance Centre coloured ribbon Black character shoes, canvas RAD syllabus style. Cuban heels may be worn from Grade 3 up The correct grooming and presentation is an important aspect of dance class etiquette and discipline. We must also ask that students tie their hair up in a ponytail for Jazz, Hip Hop, Funk, Contemporary, Musical Theatre and Tap and in a bun for Ballet classes. No jewellery is to be worn in Dance classes. PAGE 4
DANCE CENTRE END OF YEAR SHOW This year our End of Year Show will incorporate ALL Dance Centre classes and dance styles into one magnificent production. Details regarding the performance will be released later in the year however please find relevant dates below: Performance date: Saturday 25 November Stage & Dress Rehearsals at the venue: Wednesday 22 Friday 24 November (rehearsal times to be advised). As in previous years, we will require a number of parent helpers to enable these performances to go ahead. The areas where we require help include backstage assisting students with costuming, hair and make-up as well as Front of House assisting with ushering and sales of food and drink. All help received is greatly appreciated, these shows could not go ahead without the help that we receive from parents. CHILTON SAINT JAMES SCHOOL PLAYGROUND Due to Health & Safety protocols, we must ask that Dance Centre students and their siblings do not use the School Playground unless they are supervised by their parent or guardian. We thank you for your support in this matter. Chilton Dance Centre Crew Intricate CLASS OBSERVATION Parents and caregivers of junior students are welcome to observe dance classes however we do ask that there be NO talking and ask that you do not speak or interact with the students in class as it is distracting to the students, teachers and other parents. It is recommended that parents who observe classes take notes so that you can help your daughter or son at home when they practise. All students should be encouraged to practise at home so they learn and retain the exercises and dances they are working on in class. Students should give their teacher a blank CD so they can arrange a recording of the class music for them to practise to at home. If students have to wait for parents to pick them up after class, we recommend that they wait in the dressing room or else sit and watch a dance class until their transport arrives. Chilton Dance Centre students taking part in local Ballet competitions SENIOR DANCE CLASS OBSERVATION There is no observation of senior classes (Intermediate Foundation Ballet, Pre Elementary Jazz, Hip Hop 4 and above) except during Weeks 5 and 9 of each term. During these weeks parents may observe as many classes as they wish. PARKING Please note that there is no parking in the Chilton Saint James School car park until after 4.00pm. Your assistance with this would be appreciated. LA Tour performance on Hollywood Boulevard Chilton Ballet Academy students after a class with past Dance Centre student Jono Selvadurai Chilton Dance Centre students taking part in local Ballet competitions PAGE 5