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NEW SOUTH WALES STATE COMMITTEE OF HIGHLAND DANCING CONFERENCE
HELD 15-17 APRIL 2005 AT Y ON THE PARK HOTEL , SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Two of our Executive members Raewyn Weggery and Avalon Moffatt
travelled to Sydney to attend the Highland Dancing conference held
15-17 April 2005 in Sydney, Australia.
The conference began with a welcome reception on Friday night.
The first session on Saturday morning was an excellent warm up session
by guest tutor Ann Milne from Ontario, Canada. Ann is extensively
trained in Highland, Classical Ballet and Jazz. She is an examiner
for the British Association of Teachers of Dance, and on the judges
panel of the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing.
Other workshops we attended were:
"A Different Approach to Highland Dancing in Australia" by Cheryl
Roach. Another excellent speaker. Cheryl is a former Champion Highland
Dancer and is the principal teacher of OzScot in Bathhurst.
"Teaching children without natural ability" by Ann Milne. Another
excellent session with Ann showing us how to get the best out of
dancers with various exercises to help with stretched feet, turnout,
posture etc.
Sunday started with a good warm up session by Dianne Harrison -
a very successful Highland Dancer in Australia. Followed by a session
on "How to Prepare a champion" by Cheryl Roache. It was interesting
to listen to a teacher on how to prepare a pupil for the worlds,
taking into consideration Diet, Cross Training, Dance Training,
Motivation, Commitment and Mental ability.
We learn't the 19th century Highland Fling which is a very interesting
dance.
Finally the session on Sunday was from Vanessa Barnes, who was
a former professional dancer and is a teacher of the British Ballet
Organisation. She is a qualified Physiotherapist and psychologist
and spoke on the "Prevention and treatment of common injuries in
dancers such as Growth related injuries in the hips, knees, shins
and feet."
It was a great weekend meeting and making new friends and being
able to share our love of Highland Dancing with others.
We would like to thank the NSW State committee for the warmth and
friendship shown to us throughout the weekend.
Raewyn Weggery Avalon Moffatt
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