Treading the Boards The Rockhampton Grammar School Dance & Musical Theatre Academy Newsletter Issue No. 5 July 2017 Gaining more experience at the In2Dance Summer School in Bundaberg were (from left) Hannah, Maddison, Ella, Madison and Ben. Dance Camps and Summer Schools During the Christmas holidays the Queensland Ballet held a Summer Dance Camp in Gladstone. Lucy Perry-Barr attended the four day camp at Tannum Sands State High School refining her technical and expressive dance skills. Lucy attended workshops and classes in ballet, production, wardrobe, jazz and contemporary dance, offering her the chance to connect with Queensland Ballet, a vibrant, creative company. Lucy not only had fun but also learnt new technical skills from Queensland Ballet s EdSquad. The camp concluded with a celebratory event giving participants the opportunity to share their new skills and learning outcomes with friends and families. During a week in January, Hannah Macdonald, Maddison Scharer, Ella Giles, Madison Bailey and Benedict Wright attended the annual In2Dance Summer School held in Bundaberg. The students worked with dance professionals such as Nathan Sheen (Tap), Sally Hare (Jazz/ Funk), Lisa Callingham (Music Theatre) and Adam Blanch (Contemporary). Madison Bailey won awards for 12 years and under Musical Theatre and 12 years and under Tap. Ben won awards for Funk Jazz and also Tap under 14 years. Here is what Hannah and Benedict had to say about the experience: Hannah Macdonald - The teachers were helpful and taught us new things about the four genres that were offered. What I enjoyed the most was meeting the teachers and that I have made new friends in my group from Mackay and Bundaberg. Had a great time!!! Benedict Wright - You get to dance with people from different schools and make new friends. It is also very challenging to learn four dances in four days even if you dance a lot! Lucy Perry-Barr (centre) with past students Alynta and Inara Scott at the Qld Ballet Dance Camp. dance@rgs.qld.edu.au www.rgs.qld.edu.au/dance 0409 262 349
Qld Ballet auditions The Queensland Ballet will tour their production of La Fille Mal Gardée throughout Queensland, inviting students under 12 years of age in each performance area to audition for children s roles in the production. Six students of the Academy relished the opportunity to audition for the Rockhampton season of the ballet including Madison Bailey, Ava Tregea, Gabrielle Stewart and Siale Van Der Loos. Tillie Hungerford and Patrick Robertson also auditioned and were successful in obtaining roles in the ballet. The production of La Fille Mal Gardée will perform at the Pilbeam Theatre on Friday 25 August at 7:30pm. Congratulations to all students on taking the chance to audition and to Tillie and Patrick for gaining the chance to perform with these professional ballet dancers on stage. Dance captains The RGS Dance and Musical Theatre Academy provides the opportunity for Year 11 and 12 students of The Rockhampton Grammar School to become Captains and Vice-Captains of Dance. This year Jessica Maitland (Year 12) (pictured below left with Headmaster Dr Phillip Moulds) was awarded the position of Dance Captain with Ellie Belonogoff (Year 11) becoming Vice- Captain of Dance. These girls take on a variety of roles as Captains of Dance, namely helping the younger students of the Academy such as those students in our Pre-School Dance Class. Other duties include helping compere our 2017 concert and helping out at various DMTA events. Congratulations to Jessica and Ellie on their appointment as 2017 Captains.
Industry professionals lead workshop Many students at the Academy experience workshops with industry professionals throughout the year in a variety of facets of the performing arts. This year, students enrolled in the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Musical Theatre classes, have enjoyed workshops with the two witches of the Rockhampton Venues and Events production of Wicked, Amanda Hock and Emma McGuire, past RGS student and now professional musical theatre performer, Jaime Hadwen and past RGS student and now dance teacher Elizabeth Perez (nee Kennedy). The students thoroughly enjoyed these engaging workshops, honing in on their vocal, acting and dance skills. Each year, students enrolled in our RAD Classical Ballet classes work with our adopted dancers from the Queensland Ballet, Georgia Swan and David Power. Students enjoyed working on classical ballet technique and repertoire with these two professional ballet dancers from Queensland s leading classical ballet company. We look forward to welcoming Georgia and David back again in Term 4 for another workshop. As part of their examination preparation, students in our RAD Classical Ballet Examination programme spent three days working closely with Marie Walton-Mahon, a renowned RAD examiner and classical ballet teacher, who has also developed a wonderful conditioning and training programme called Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT). Over the three days, students perfected their exam work in preparation for their examinations in August. These workshops provide invaluable experience for our students and the Academy looks forward to more workshops coming up in Semester Two. Amanda Hock (Elphaba) and Emma McGuire (Glinda) from Wicked work with the DMTA Junior and Intermediate Musical Theatre students. RGS past student Jaime Hadwen adds some finishing touches to the Academy s Junior Cabaret Group. Elizabeth Perez with the DMTA Senior Musical Theatre Class. The RGS past student is now a dance teacher in the USA. David Power and Georgia Swan, from the Queensland Ballet, were special guests at the DMTA dance studios. Sydney-based Marie Walton-Mahon implementing her Progressing Ballet Technique programme with Senior DMTA Classical Ballet students.
Rockhampton Eisteddfod 2017 Results on back page of newsletter.
Life is a Musical for the DMTA family For some of our students, life is one, big musical and they take every opportunity to perform on stage in local productions. Recently Maddison Scharer and Luca Mella performed in the TCC Production of Footloose and also in the Rockhampton Musical Union Choir s production of Scrooge. RGS Secondary students this year are presenting Little Shop of Horrors with many of our DMTA students being part of the production both on and off stage. DMTA staff member Mrs Jan Kennedy and DMTA parent Mrs Elisa Williams are working hard with many students as they prepare this musical for the Pilbeam Theatre stage from 11-13 August. Students involved include William Smith, Elyena Belongoff, Elizabeth Clarke, Benedict Wright, Georgiana Russell, Mia McDonald, Trinity March-Hoolihan, Madison Schneider, Roxy McDonald, Elijah March-Hoolihan, Madison Bailey, Sophie Berry, Genavieve Cooling, Luke Germann-De Wet, Buhuni Gunasinghe, Hayden Hanson, Isabella Hanson, Charlotte Hart, Ella Kibblewhite-Claus, Hannah Macdonald and Ella Giles. In October, the Rockhampton Musical Union Choir is presenting Les Misérables at the Pilbeam Theatre and this production will also feature some of our DMTA staff, parents and students. Lead roles for this production include Trinity March-Hoolihan as Epinone, Ella Giles as Little Epinone, Tayah Ellis as Little Cosette and Michael Robertson as Thenardier. Pictured above: Performing in the Rockhampton Musical Union Choir s production of Scrooge were Maddison Scharer (pictured left) and Luca Mella (pictured far right). Pictured top right: Elizabeth Clarke, Benedict Wright, William Smith, Elyena Belonogoff, Mia McDonald, Georgiana Russell and Trinity March-Hoolihan will star in the RGS Secondary School Musical Production of Little Shop of Horrors. No One Mourns The Wicked Rockhampton Venues and Events presented yet another extraordinary local musical this year, Wicked. Several members of our DMTA family were heavily involved in the show, either on stage or as part of the production team. Students Ellie Belonogoff and Elizabeth Clarke, DMTA staff member Jan Kennedy and RGS staff and parents Lisa Kibblewhite, Melanie March and Elisa Williams spent many months producing this amazing musical for sold out audiences at Easter. Also cast as the Wizard was RGS past student, and a regular face in RGS Secondary School Musicals, Matthew Dennis with another past student Alaina Kennedy also featuring in the Ensemble. Wicked tells the untold stories of Oz s most famous characters, namely the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba) and her unlikely friend, Glinda. It takes the audience through the lifechanging events which eventually label Elphaba wicked, introducing spoiled rich girl Glinda, local prince and heart throb Fiyero and even the Wizard of Oz himself, a troubled man very unlike the one you may remember from the classic story. This spectacular musical pays homage to the classic Wizard of Oz story while simultaneously changing fans understanding of it forever. A cautionary tale about love, friendship and trust, Wicked, effortlessly reveals that there are indeed two sides to every story. Reference: Broadway.com
Excelling at Highland Competitions Some of our Highland Dance students compete at many competitions each year, both in Queensland and interstate. Over the Easter weekend, Chloe Cowan attended the Queensland Championships in Ayr winning first place in the Highland Fling, Highland Laddie, Scottish Lilt and Sailor s Hornpipe (Trophy Dance). She also received second place in Flora McDonald s Fancy and third in Seann Truibhas. At that same competition, Tara Matheson received first in Flora McDonald s Fancy, second in Strathspey and Highland Reel, second in Seann Truibhas, third in Sword Dance, and third in Scottish Lilt. Tara Matheson also attended a competition in Mackay where she yet again took away several awards including first in Flora McDonald s Fancy, second in Scottish Lilt, second in Seann Truibhas, second in Highland Fling, second in Highland Fling Trophy Dance, with her receiving second place overall in the Title. Isabella Yore attended the Maclean Highland Gathering in New South Wales where she came away with second in Flora McDonald s Fancy, third in Seann Truibhas, and third overall. In April, Highland students Tara Matheson, Trinity Lowe and Chloe Cowan also performed at the Festival of the Wind, which is a local festival supporting the Lions Club of Emu Park. Highland Dance teacher, Mrs Aimee Robertson was very pleased with the efforts of these girls with their results being indicative of the hard work they put into their training every week. Pictured above: Tara Matheson, Trinity Lowe and Chloe Cowan performing for visitors at the Festival of the Wind event at Emu Park. Pictured above: Chloe Cowan with her winnings at the Queensland Championships. Pictured right: Tara Matheson sporting her medals from the Queensland Championships.
2017 Rockhampton Eisteddfod DMTA Results GROUPS: Group Mime 12 & under 15 years - 1st Group Mime under 12 years - 1st Group Mime under 12 years - 2nd Junior Tap Group - 1st Junior Jazz Group - 2nd Junior Cabaret Group - 3rd Junior Classical Ballet Group - 3rd Intermediate Song & Dance Group - 1st Intermediate Tap Group - 3rd Intermediate Jazz Group - Highly Commended Intermediate Contemporary Group - Highly Commended Senior Tap Group - 1st Senior Musical Theatre Group - 1st Senior Contemporary Group - 3rd Senior National Group - 3rd Senior Jazz Group - Highly Commended SOLOS: Hannah Cowan: Light Verse 11 years - 1st Character Recital in Costume 10 and under 12 years- 3rd Verse Speaking 11 years - 3rd Prose 10 and under 12 years - 3rd Song & Dance Solo 11 & under 13 years - 3rd Chloe Cowan: National Solo 13 & under 15 years - 1st Tap Solo 13 & under 15 years - 1st Waltz Tap Solo 13 & under 15 years - 2nd Speed Tap Solo 13 & under 15 years - 2nd Demi Character Solo 13 & under 15 years - Highly Commended Georgiana Russell: Waltz Tap Solo 13 & under 15 years - 3rd Speed Tap Solo 13 & under 15 years - Highly Commended Genavieve Cooling: Demi Character Solo 13 & under 15 years - 3rd Classical Ballet Solo 13 & under 15 years - 3rd Tillie Hungerford: Tap Solo 7 & under 9 years - 1st Contemporary Solo under 9 years - 1st Demi-Character Solo 7 & under 9 years - 1st Classical Ballet Solo 7 & under 9 years - 2nd Jazz Solo 7 & under 9 years - 2nd National Dance Solo under 9 years - 3rd Jazz Improvisation under 10 years - Highly Commended Ella Giles: Song & Dance Solo 11 & under 13 years - 2nd Jazz Improvisation 10 & under 13 years - 2nd Cabaret Solo under 13 years - Highly Commended Classical Ballet Solo 11 & under 13 years - Highly Commended Benedict Wright: Song & Dance Solo 11 & under 13 years - 1st Cabaret Solo under 13 years - 3rd Lily Cooling: Classical Ballet Improvisation under 10 years - 2nd Classical Ballet Solo 9 & under 11 years - 3rd Jazz Solo 9 years - 3rd Demi-Character Solo 9 & under 11 years - Highly Commended Tap Improvisation under 10 years - Highly Commended Stephanie Fernando: Jazz Solo 9 years - Highly Commended Heather Maitland: Classical Ballet Solo 11 & under 13 years - 2nd National Dance Solo 11 & under 13 years - 2nd Contemporary Solo 12 years - Highly Commended Classical Ballet Improvisation 10 and under 13 years - Highly Commended Kirsty Maitland: Classical Ballet Improvisation 10 and under 13 years - Highly Commended Grace Hansen: Demi-Character Solo 11 and under 13 years - Highly Commended Maddison Scharer: Tap Improvisation 10 & under 13 years - 1st Waltz Tap Solo 11 & under 13 years - 2nd Speed Tap Solo under 13 years - Highly Commended Georgie Keating: Modern Jazz Solo 13 & under 15 years - Highly Commended Elyena Belonogoff: Song & Dance Solo 15 years & over - 1st Cabaret Solo 13 years & over - 2nd Tap Solo 15 years & over - 2nd Waltz Tap Solo 15 years & over - Highly Commended Kalani Williams: Song & Dance Solo 7 & under 9 years - 3rd Millie O Brien: Song & Dance Solo 9 & under 11 years - Highly Commended DUOS/TRIOS: Chloe Cowan, Georgiana Russell: Tap Duo/Trio 13 years and over - 1st Ella Giles, Madison Bailey: Freemovement Duo under 13 years- 2nd Genavieve Cooling, Carmen Harrington-Wade, Isabella Hanson: Tap Duo/Trio 13 years and over - 3rd TROPHIES: Hannah Cowan - Scope Club of Rockhampton Aggregate Trophy Tillie Hungerford - Adele Wilson Encouragement Award - All Tap Sections under 13 years Chloe Cowan - Teegan & Melissa Seng Trophy- Highest marks in Tap Solo 11 & under 15 years Chloe Cowan - Roslyn Carr Trophy - Most Promising Tap Dancer of the Eisteddfod Heather Maitland - Debra Parker Encouragement Award- All classical sections under 13 years Elyena Belonogoff - Centre De Danse Boutique Encouragement Trophy - All jazz sections 13 years & over Elyena Belonogoff - Michael Robertson Studio of Dance & Musical Theatre Trophy - Most outstanding dancer in Song & Dance and Cabaret sections of the Eisteddfod Elyena Belonogoff - Frances Funch Trophy - Highest marks in any Song & Dance Solo section The Rockhampton Grammar School Dance & Musical Theatre Academy Archer Street Rockhampton Q 4700 dance@rgs.qld.edu.au www.rgs.qld.edu.au/dance 0409 262 349