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24th Jun 08 - Manawatu T&J Seminar August 08
The Manawatu Teachers & Judges association are again hosting
a Judges Seminar in Palmerston North in conjunction with the Manawatu
Performaing Arts society competition.
The seminar will be facilitated by Technical Director Mrs Sherilyn
Hall and is open to all recently qualified members and experienced
judges intending to adjudicate in the future.
The seminar will qualify members for the required NZAHND Judgies
upskilling.
For more details click
here
15th Jun 08 - Bay of Plenty August Seminar
Bay of Plenty Teachers and Judges are hosting a seminar in conjunction
with their August dancing competition. The competition being held
on Saturday 16th, and seminar held on Sunday 17th August tutored
by Technical member Mrs Sue Gill..
Classes are available from Beginners through to Seniors and also
a discussion session will be available for Academy members and BOP
Teachers & Judges.
Attendance for the day will count towards the 'upskilling' requirement
for Teachers and Judges.
Click
here to download the application form.
15th June 08 - reminders for Votes and exam entries
A reminder note to ALL Academy members that votes close for the
various nominations on 30th June. Please follow the voting instructions
on the forms to ensure votes are valid.
Additionally September examination entries are due with the Secretary
30th June.
29th May 08 - new arrival for Kimberley Mavor
Kimberley (nee Rae)and Michael Mavor had another wee girl Lucy
Rae Mavor on Thursday 15th May. All is well and Kim is now home
and settling into family life with two little girls. Apparently
sister Olivia is quite the little helper! Congratulations.
11th May 08 - Auckland Teachers & Judges update
Visit the NZ Piping
& Dancing Association News page to view updatesand photos
from the Lorna Coombes Memorial Competition along with the Auckland
Teachers & Judges 50th Jubilee Luncheon, both held in November
2007. Generations of teachers & Judges joined together to to
mark the milestone of 50 years since incorporation.
27th Apr 08 - Passing of Barclay Smaill
Barclay Smaill - Wellington Member and previously of Dunedin, passed
away recently.
Our sympathy to his family.
23rd Apr 08 - Kate MacFarlane's Wedding
 Kate
MacFarlane and Carl Fullerton were married at The Charthouse on
the 1st of March 2008. Plans for a ceremony on the beach had to
be changed and although the weather was very wet, it was a wonderful
day, with friends and family gathered to make it a memorable occassion.
Kate was piped in by Ian McKenzie, who piped for Kate at her first
dancing competition. Luckily the rain held off while the bridal
party had photos taken, and the wild weather made for some interesting
shots. Great food, great company and a fantastic band combined to
make the day complete.
7th Apr 08 - SOUTH AUCKLAND CENTRE - NOTICE OF CENTENNIAL LUNCHEON
"The South Auckland Centre of the Piping and Dancing Association
is holding a Centennial celebration luncheon on Saturday 3rd May
2008 to celebrate 100 years of Piping and Dancing in New Zealand.
The luncheon is being held at Fahey's Motor Inn and Family Restaurant,
Greerton, Tauranga at 11.30 am with lunch at 12 noon. All past members
of the Centre plus anyone interested is invited to join with us
for this celebration.
Cost $16.90 per person, $14.90 Seniors (65 +)
Anyone interested should contact Eula McLeod, 15 Deanwell Avenue,
Hamilton, phone 078434062, for further information or to confirm
a booking no later than 22nd April 2008.
25th Mar 08 - Summer School reports available
Full overview and photos from the Christchurch and Hawkes Bay sumer
schools are available. Please click the link to the 2008
Summer School reports
25th Feb 08 - REMINDER: Exam Entries close March 1 2008
25th Feb 08 - Weding bells in Tauranga
 Hayley
Paul & Rob Larman were married Feb 9 at Mills Reef Winery surrounded
by family and friends.
The weather was superb and an enjoyable day was had by all. Kate
MacFarlane piped the wedding party down the aisle, only weeks before
Kate’s own big day.
 The
pipes stirred the emotions of the Mother & Grandmother of the Bride,
and a very memorable speech at the reception was given by the Father
of the Bride.
The dancing fraternity was well represented at the wedding, with
guests from Blenheim, New Plymouth and Tauranga.
4th Feb 08 - new addition for Kerryn Ferguson
 Zoe
Marie Ferguson was born on 25 January 2008 at 8.10 am to proud parents
Kerryn & Craig. She weighed a healthy 3730gm (about 8lb 1oz).
She is now well settled in at home and feeding and sleeping well
(at the moment!). Mum and Dad are doing great also.
Zoe takes after her Dad - has his frown and reddy blonde hair colour.
23rd Jan 08 - a young Inventor among our dancers!
It has come to our attention that we have a very succesful young
inventor among our young dancers here in New Zealand. 14 yr old
South Island Dancer Leighton Terry has won a nationwide competition
for creating a brand new invention - a voice activated workdesk
Named ‘The Workinator,’
For more details click
on the link attached
Congratulations to Leighton - what a brilliant achievement!
23rd Jan 08 - A Highland Wedding
 Campbell
and Jolie (nee McLeod) Hazley - Details of the wedding were Saturday
1 Dec in Invercargill surrounded by a Scottish and NZ native flora
theme. The Bridal dress had the Macleod of Harris tartan inserts
with a scottish thistle and silver ferns embroided in the train.
Campbell and the boys wore the blackwatch tartan and it was the
first time that any of the boys had worn a kilt. Campbell loved
it so much he wants to get one for himself. Lisa Hansen (nee Harris)
a fellow dancer was one of the bridesmaids. 
It was a wonderful day finished off by a brilliant evening where
Lisa, Jolie, Sue Gill and Kirsty Pickett all got up and danced an
Irish Reel followed by the groom and groomsmen attempting a fling.
13th Jan 08 - Highland Specifics Workshop in Southland - Feb
2008
A Highland Specifics workshop will be held in Invercargill on Sunday
24th February This will be presented by technical member Mrs Jacqueline
Jones from Christchurch, and will be held at Dance Southland.
Please note that this workshop is recognized as part of the mandatory
Judging Accreditation and upskilling requirements, and all are welcome
to attend including current dancers, judges, teachers, student members,
members and intending teachers.
More details can be found by downloading the
flyer attached here.
4th Jan 08 - new addition to the Borsboom (nee Hobbs family)
Sophie May Borsboom - born 11/11/2007 to Jeanie Borsboom (Hobbs)
and Rene Borsboom.
The new 'family' are doing well and surely Nanna Cushla Piesse
has dancing pumps ready and waiting!
27th Dec 07 - Technical Training Course Step Dancing
The Step Dancing part of the Technical Training Course took place
on the weekend 17th and 18th November in Palmerston North with Technical
members Mrs Sherilyn Hall and Cushla Piesse.
All members participated with enthusiasm and a willingness to dance
all movements, exercises and steps. It's great that you can always
learn something new about steps and movements with which you had
thought you were thoroughly familiar.
Everybody showed a keen-ness to discuss concerns and learn from
each other in a comfortable environment.
It was a fun and motivating weekend and I am sure all participates
now have a "sharper" eye for the things that make the difference
in their pupils and competitors.
27th Dec 07 - Marlborough Dance School's Production photos
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Getting Started Gummy Bears
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Highland Oompa Loompas
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Harriet Lintern/Shirana Rengasamy - Grandparent
puppets
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Ashana Rengasamy, Isabel and Claudia Mark
- Oompa Loompas
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Main Characters
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Marti Pearson as Willy Wonka
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11 Dec 07 - "Christine Paul School of Dance"combined with the
Roxy Dance Troupe
presented entertainment on Sunday Nov 25 at Baycourt Theatre, Tauranga:
called "CLAP WITH IT."
Everyone had an opportunity to show their talent with our choreographed
Highland & Irish numbers adding an interesting contrast to the Roxy
Hip Hop routines. 
A shillelagh Irish Jig performed by the Hendry twins to a upbeat
techno Irish tune received a standing ovation.
11 Dec 07 - New Plymouth Pipe Band & Dancers
 The
New Plymouth Caledonian Pipe Band recently held a concert in Waitara
and were fortunate to have the support of local dancers.
 Olivia
Sands, Samuel Tait, Tiana Keegan and Jenna Barrett performed seeveral
items including a fling and double swords to an enthusiastic audience.
29th Nov 07 - Hawkes Bay Summer School application forms
The 2008 Hawkes Bay Summer School is beng held from 31st Jan -
2nd Feb 2008 in Hastings.
Tutors are: Mrs Janet Allison (Lower Hutt) , Mrs Julie Hawke (Christchurch)
Several scholarships will be awarded at the end of the school to
be decided by the tutors.
The Application form can be downloaded by
clicking here.
3rd Nov 07 - End of year Production planning underway for Marlborough
Dance Centre
The Marlborough Dance Centre end of year production this year is
Charlie
& the Chocolate Factory. Dancers from all dance and theatre
disciplines are involved and several highland students have been
cast in the lead roles:
Charlie: Sarah Morris, Willy Wonka : Marti Pearson,
Veruca Salt : EllaRose Hammond. The Under 10 Highland class
will be Oompa Loompas with other groups performing as Golden
Tickets, Puppets, Gummy Bears, Scotch Eggs plus other characters
and "chocolate" items.
Performances commence Friday 30th November and run for 4 days.
3rd Nov 07 - Auckland Summer School application forms
The 2008 Auckland Summer School is being held in Onehunga, Auckland
from 7 - 11th January 2008.
Tutors are: Mrs Sue Gill (Winton) , Mrs Christine Morris (Palmerston
North) and Mrs Susan Edwards (Auckland) .
Several scholarships will be awarded at the end of the school to
be decided by the tutors.
The Application form can be downloaded by
clicking here.
29th Oct 07 - NZ 18 &over Championship announced
 The
NZ 18 & over championships were held over Labour weekend in
Nelson - 20th October with a record 36 dancers in the championships
class.
The most points over all classes and thus winning the 18 &
over most points/champion is Shelley Reid of Hastings. Runner up
was Anna Millar of Havelock.
Results can be found on the Piping
& Dancing website.
14 Oct 07 - Conference overview now online - plus photos
Conference overview is now online along with photos and a link
to the official photographers website.
You can go to www.tmcd.co.nz
to view the diplomas, dinner, and other photos
1 Oct 07 - Balmoral Club 'Summer Fling' Christchurch details
This year the Summer Fling Christchurch Summer School is being
held at Rangi Ruru Girls College, from Wed January 23rd (Senior
class only) thru to Sunday 27th January.
Entry
form is available for download by clicking here.
1 Oct 07 - Balmoral Club Christchurch concert
On the 1st Sept the Balmoral Club of Christchurch presented at
the Ngaio Marsh theatre "Dancing Around the World". This concert
was put together by the teachers of the club.
Items reflected to a greater or lesser extent - New Zealand, Australia,
Ireland, Spain, Holland, England/London, France, Rome, Egypt, America,
and most significantly Scotland. The concert concluded with the
St Andrew's College Pipe Band and a Massed Highland Fling.
The concert played to a near full house and was enthusiastically
received.
The performers thoroughly enjoyed participating and both they
and the audience were asking that we repeat the experience next
year.
Well done Balmoral Club.
10 Sept 07 - Conference 2007 details
SOLO SEAL BUS - If you haven't already advised HB T & J
Club that you require the bus to Solo Seal, please do so by emailing
amhill@xtra.co.nz . Please advise the name of your motel you are
staying at.
SUNDAY - BUS TO AIRPORT FROM CONFERENCE. Bus will run from
Centre to Napier Airport - members expense. Please advise numbers
and the time you fly out - we urgently need these numbers to organise
the bus.
PLEASE NOTE - There is no bus service that runs from the
Airport to Havelock North - there are Taxis, these cost approximately
$75.00 each. And if you are lucky you may locate a Shuttle. - approximately
$55.00
22 Aug 07 - Glenn Innes Celtic Festival
Update from the Tuatapere Dance Team can be found by clicking the
link on the right hand menu under 2007
Glenn Innes - Aust report
Photos and write up available.
22 Aug 07 - Technical Training Course
 On
the weekend of 18/19 September 9 Academy members attended a Technical
Training Course in Palmerston North with technical members Mrs Adele
Swanson, and Mrs Robyn Simmons.It was an informal but professionally
run workshop with member participation and we all felt that the
weekend was an invaluable part of a teacher's and judges training
of our highland grades and was enjoyed by all participants.
We all came away from the weekend motivated and enthusiastic and
already looking forward to the second part of the course in November.
15 Aug - 07 - First FAQ answered
Go to the FAQ page on the site to view the answers to some of those
questions you might not have known...
15 Aug 07 - baby news from the south!
Jackie and David McBride have had a little girl - Maddison Grace
McBride (Maddi) arrived on 02 July 2007 and weighed 6lb 5oz - she
is now 6 weeks old and weighs 8lb 10oz. She is a very happy little
girl and has a very proud Nana (Enid)!!!!
Those at conference will hpoefully be able to view some photos!
15 Aug 07 - Examinations dates and Interview times
- Auckland 14/15 September
- Northshore 17/18 September
- Tauranga 16 September
- New Plymouth 16 September Interview 16/9 at 5.30 p.m.
- Palmerston North1 17/18 September Interview 18/9 at 1.30 pm
- Wellington 18 September
- Hastings 17/18 September
- Gisborne 16th September
- Blenheim 13/15 September No interview
- Nelson 17 September
- Oamaru 14 September
- Christchurch 10/12 September Interview 12/9 at 7.30 p.m.
- Dunedin 03 September Interview 3/9 at 12.00 p.m.
- Invercargill 06 september Interview 6/9 at 11.30 a.m.
31 July - Update from Shelley Reid in Scotland
Members can check out the Youth Forum page for the latest update
and Youth Forum Agenda for Conference 2007.
You can also go to the Piping
and Dancing Assn website to view Shelley's fantastic success
at her first competition in Scotland this year - winning the British
Open Championship at Airth. For more details and photos visit Piping
and Dancing news page.
9 July 07 - 2007 NZ Under 18 Champions
The 2007 NZ Under 18 Highland Dancing Championships were held in
the weekend at the Hastings Opera House. 
Overall winner was Jayden Withington of Hastings with Runner up
and ranked 2nd Marti Pearson of Blenheim. Full Results will be posted
on the Piping &
Dancing Assn of NZ website.
Top 10 ranking list :
- Jayden Withington - Hastings
- Marti Pearson - Blenheim
- Laura Nettleton - Dunedin
- 4= Rachel Crampton - Blenheim 4=Emma Cropper - Rangiora
- -
- Megan Ferguson - Dunedin
- Nadine Terry - Gore
- Jessica Findlay - Christchurch
- Jade Burgess - Napier
- 10= Greer Somerville - Dunedin, 10= Annette McKeage - Christchurch
Photos can also be viewed and ordered by going to the Photographers
website: there will be hundreds of images to view (including
action photos) .
Judges for the weekend were: Mrs Julie Hawke - CHCH, Mrs Anne Payne
- Auckland, Mrs Kylie Allison-Miller, Lower Hutt.
30th Jun 07 - Video to view The Rabble
Further to the below article on the Auckland Dancing
girls performing for the rock video The Coast Song by The Rabble
- this can be viewed in its entirety by logging on to Amplifier
website. You will need to register in order to watch the video.
25th Jun 07 - Road to Scotland Pipe Band Concert
A group of dancing friends gathered at the weekend to be part of
a 8 strong dance team supporting the Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band
at their fundraising concert held in Wellington.
 The
dancers, Shelley Reid, Sarah Chapman, Kelsey Mortenson, Kendall
Reid, Claire MacIntosh, Jessica Shepherd, Jean Glover and Kylie
Allison-Miller, showcased four various choreographed items.
Some will be reappearing in the July 21 concert being held in Palmerston
North.
At this point we do wish Shelley Reid good luck in her travels
both with the Manawatu Pipe Band as a tenor drummer and further
(and more importantly of course!) in her dancing travels around
Scotland and we look forward to receiving updates. As current 18
& over NZ highland dancing champion and Academy Youth Forum
representative she will make a fine ambassador for our NZ Highland
Dance community.
Click on images to enlarge
24th Jun 07 - Dancing stars for'The Rabble' Celtic Punk Rock
Band!!
Pupils
from Braemar Dance Studio in Devonport (Allanah Maples, Isla Maples,
Aimee Cornish and Rachel Bates) were invited to dance in a video
shoot for a Celtic Punk Band "The Rabble".
Click on the image above right to enlarge
 "The
Coast Song" is now being played on C4. Watch Vodafone Select Live
on C4 between 4pm - 7pm and request the video by texting s182 to
4440. 
17th Jun 07 - Accommodation for Conference
Reminder to members to book accommodation for Academy Conference.
MOTELS FOR CONFERENCE
- Te Mata Lodge
- Havelock North Village Motel
- Havelock North Motor Lodge
Are all approximately 3 minutes walk from the Conference venue.
12th June 07 - Baby boy arrived for Megan
Meghan Parker & Kip Parker Blakeman welcomed a beautiful baby boy
Connor Parker Lale Blakeman into the world on April 12th weighing
just under 8 pounds. They are all doing very well and enjoying family
life together. 
Meghan is currently living in the UK and many of you will remember
her dancing in the Blenheim and Auckland area.
7th June 07 - CHCH Summer School changes its name...
Introducing...“Summer Fling” Christchurch Summer school rebranded!
Christchurch Dates:
- 23 January Performers Class
- 24 – 27 January – all other students
Items for sale: Drink Bottles, Caps, Back Packs, Shirts and Shorts
All enquires to Elizabeth Smith
7th May 07 - More international dance opportunities for our
NZ Dancers
The Waimatuku Pipe Band along with Helen MacKays school of dance
have just left NZ to perform at the Australian Celtic Festival in
Glen Innes.
There was an article in the Southland
Times published - see link
Helen MacKay has been a devoted and enthusiastic teacher in Tuatapere
for many many years and its great to see her dancers have a great
opportunity to make an international debut. The Tautapere community
was right behind them and they have put in some huge fundraising
efforts to enable all the dancers to go.
We look forward to receiving more information and photos of the
team from this exciting dance trip.
29th Apr 07 - School Holiday Dance Camp in Blenheim
The below update is from Robyn Simmons speaking of her latest
initiaitive of a Dance Camp for all her dancers!
I held a 3 day "DanceCamp" for all my dancers doing May exams during
the April school holiday break. The camp was at Omaka Marae - we
had a traditional Maori welcome (powhiri) onto the marae on Monday
evening followed by a pot luck tea and settling in.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday were 3 days of dance classes which
included exam lessons, theory workshops.celtic jazz, highland hiphop
fusion, stretch and strengthen and yoga. Evening activities were
fun, team-based activities - we had a team quiz, a concert of the
jazz and hiphop items plus group skits and a stylised pass-the-parcel
game. Everyone slept together in the meeting house (quite an experience!)
and mothers helped out with cooking the meals.
We left the marae late Thursday - some very tired young dancers
but all agreeing it was loads of fun and a great way to do those
extra exam lessons !
29th Apr 07 -Highland Dancers can do anything...!
Our highland dancers are very talented people and we have been
informed of some fantastic successes of our NZ Highland dancers
outside of their highland dancing lives that we know you will all
be interested in:
- Alexanda Burnside (CHCH) has been selected to
represent New Zealand at the 2007 Junior World Rowing Championships
in Beijing.Ali is moving to Cambridge where she will train, before
the team travels to Australia and then onto the World Championships
in August.
- The Christchurch Showbiz Production of Cats is currently running
in Christchurch - Rebecca Boyce (nee Foley), a NZ
Champion Highland dancer plays the part of Jemima. Rebecca sings
the well known song "Memories" both as a solo and with Grizabella
- she is spell-binding and very moving. The choreography in the
show is exciting and challenging - Rebecca does a great job !
Well worth seeing the show if you get the chance !
- Blenheim Musical Theatre's production of Chicago opens at the
Marlborough Centre on Saturday 5 May for a 2 week season. Former
Academy member and NZ Champion Highland dancer Sara Simmons
is playing the lead part of Velma Kelly - singing, acting as well
as dancing - a definite new challenge. Rachel Crampton and Marti
Pearson are both dancers/singers in the show which has been choreographed
by Jeannie Mark who is also one of the dancers in the show.
10th Apr 07 - Geelong Highland Games overview
Click on the 2007 Geelong report on right menu of this page to
view information and highlights from some dancers and Executive
members who attended. This event was held mid march and several
Christchurch dancers and Executive representatives attended.
10th Apr 07 - Auckland Summer School report
Click on the Summer School report on right menu of this page to
view the overview and photos from the Auckland Summer School held
in January 2007.
1st Apr 07 - NZ DANCER MAGAZINE wants our Highland Dancers
responses...
Some of you may have seen this great magazine in your Dance Studio.
There are 2 editions each year and they cover all aspect of dance.
The latest edition has articles on our New Zealand Champions, article
of Shelley Reid gaining Solo Seal and one on the Tattoo in Korea.
Magazines are in all School libraries – so check it out and perhaps
subscribe and get your own copy for only $5 per issue.
In this months edition there is a discussion topic – it would be
great to see Highland dancers responding. Topic is as follows: “What
is your favourite style of dance and why?”
Send your replies to NZ Dancer Magazine, box 89006, Torbay, Auckland
or email: forum@nzdancer.co.nz
Look out for the next edition in September.
1st Apr 07 - 2007 Annual Conference information
Havelock North is the venue for the upcoming New Zealand Academy's
2007 Conference - the hosts being the Hawkes Bay Teachers and Judges
Club. The weekend for the Conference is 21 September - 23 September
2007.
The Conference and AGM is to be held at the Havelock North Community
Centre, 30 Te Mata Road, Havelock North. The Dance Development Course,
which this year is to be held on the Saturday (AGM on Sunday), will
take place within the same complex with another venue within walking
distance of the Centre
The Solo Seal Examination will be held on Friday night at the Hawkes
Bay Opera House, Hastings Street, South Hastings with a free bus
from the Havelock North area (See Registration Form).
A suggestion from the organisers is that if members will be travelling
early and have free time on Friday that they visit the Hawkes Bay
Tourism website for information on events and places - www.hawkesbaynz.com
It will be a wonderful weekend with very interesting Workshops
and Guest Speakers/ Experts and again an opportunity to catch up
with friends and colleagues and sample the treasures of the Hawkes
Bay region!
1st Apr 07 - Note to teachers
Please visit the Membership section - 'Exam
info' on the website to view the note to teachers from the Technical
Committee with regards to preparing candidates for the upcoming
May examinations.
25th Mar 07 - TRAINING COURSE ON TECHNIQUE
The Technical Committee would like to conduct a Training Course
on Technique in July/August and September/October in the North Island.
There is a minimum number of participants required before this course
can go ahead.
Cost approx $400
CALLING FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (to the Academy
Secretary)
Quote from Jackie McBride: “The benefits from the Training
Course on Technique has been ongoing. I completed the course over
two weekends in 2003 – the first weekend concentrated solely on
the complete Highland syllabi and the second weekend focused on
the Step Dance syllabi.
The course focuses in depth on all aspects of Academy technique.
At all times the tutors were approachable and eager to pass on their
extensive knowledge. I make many references to the notes I took
over both weekends and refer to them regularly when wishing to clarify
an exercise or technique.
The course caters for teachers and judges and is definitely value
for money. From my personal experience I would not hesitate to recommend
attending this course when it is being offered by the Academy”
21st Mar 07 - a southern birth!!
Congratulations to Shiobhan (nee O'Donnell) and Julian Smith.
 Introducing
Henry Hugh Patrick Smith. Born via c-section on 6th March 2007,
weight 9 pound 8 ounces. He is a big boy evidently with an appetite
to match! Baby is doing fine although Mum is still in recovery mode.
21st Mar 07 - St Patricks celebrations in Hawkes Bay
 After
a St Patricks day competition some Hawkes Bay dancers went on to
entertain for St Patrick's night. They danced at Rosie O Gradys
in Hastings and then Brazen Head in Napier. 
From left to right Joanne Beswick, Isabelle Merwood,Jenna Mikkelson
and Jessica Miller dancing the Irish Washerwomen.
Pictured with their teacher Kerren Withington enjoying nuggets,
chips and lemonade put on by the staff.
21st Mar 07 - Internet Banking facilities now available for
payments
Please note that Internet Banking facilities are available for
all payments to the NZ Academy except for Examination fees. For
account details for payment please contact the
Secretary directly.
21st Mar 07 - Examiners and Areas announced
Areas are as follows:
- Sue Gill Auckland/Northshore
- Pam Fleming Gisborne/Hastings
- Elizabeth Smith Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Nelson
- Adele Swanson Tauranga, Blenheim, Wellington
- Janet Allison Christchurch
- Jackie Jones Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru
- Susan Edwards Invercargill, Dunedin
5th Mar 07 - Marriage in Australia
 Sheree
Rush married Lloyd Milady in Brisbane July 1st 2006. Her bridesmaids
were her 2 sisters Larissa and Natalie, her cousin Kylie Mitchell
and friend Rachel Handyside. She had two wee flower girls and Page
boy.
Sheree and Lloyd live in Brisbane where Sheree is a Primary school
teacher.
Many of you may remember the 'Rush' dancers (Sheree, Larissa and
Natalie) and the Mitchells (Kylie and Abbey)who lived in the Hawkes
Bay and learned Highland Dancing from Adele Swanson. Nana Val Mitchell
still is heavily involved in organising the renowned Hastings Highland
Games at Easter.
Congratulations Sheree and Lloyd.
5th Mar 07 - Ticket to the Tribes
Ticket to the Tribes Thursdays at 7.30pm Channel Two, features
the Sim family. Who are they you ask?. They are a Southland family
- Mum, Dad and two twin daughters Nikki and Emma.
Nikki and Emma are Highland dancers from Invercargill learning
from Sue Gill. Rumour has it that at some stage on one of the shows
they dance in front of a camp fire for their tribe in Namibia.
What a fantastic opportunity to share our Scottish culture and
heritage in a really unique setting in a far off land!
You can find out more by visiting the TVNZ
website and be sure to watch the Sim family on Channel 2, Thursday's
at 7.30pm.
14th Feb 07 - Summer School reports available
Click on the 2007 Summer School report link on the right hand menu
to view photos and reports from the 2007 Summer Schools.
12th Feb 07 - Youth Forum update
Check out the Youth Forum page for the latest update from Shelley
Reid, the Academy Youth Representative.
9th Feb 07 - Balmoral Summer School 2007
This year our Tutors were Mrs Janet Allison, Mrs Kerryn Withington
and Mrs Gail Dodson. Our Guest Tutors were Mr Brian North for the
Boys only class and Mrs Adrienne Haberfield for the Jazz Fun Class.
We have had a very successful and happy Summer School with the
weather being kind enough once again for us to enjoy the use of
the swimming pool at St Andrews college. We must say a big Thank
You to all parents who helped out with Pool duty and kitchen duty.
What more could you wish for at a dancing school besides wonderful
Tutors – new and old friends, lots of swimming and plenty of yummie
fresh food!!!
The concert was again a highlight on the final night with everyone
coming together in kilts and putting on a wonderful display. This
year we were extra lucky to have an item by the fun Jazz class lead
by their tutor Mrs Haberfield – it was great to see student enjoying
a new form of dance.
Scholarship winners and photos coming soon...
22nd Jan 07 - 'Highland Passion' in Tauranga
"HIGHLAND PASSION"
There was plenty of action-packed creativity when students from
the combined schools of Tina Peet, Helene Karton and Christine Paul
performed "Highland Passion" at Baycourt Theatre, Tauranga Nov 18
& 19.
Apart from a collection of traditional dances several numbers were
choreographed especially for the show. A number of former dancers
also graced the stage.
Enhancing the atmosphere the Bay of Plenty Pipes & Drums accompanied
some of the items, and Kate MacFarlane performed a powerful rendition
of "Up & Adam".
- Mass Fling (Combined Schools)
- Glasgow Cats (Helene Karton)
- Donegal Pop (Tina Peet)
- Good Ship Lollipop (Christine Paul)
- Kate MacFarlane
- Scotch on the Rox (Christine Paul & Roxy Dance Troupe)
7th Jan 07 - New arrival for Rachel McDowell
Congratulations to Rachel and Kelvin who welcomed baby Number
3 into their family - Gracie McDowell was born in Invercargill on
December 13th - little sister for Jamie and Callum.
3rd Jan 07 - NZ 2007 Under 16 Champions
Congratulations to Rachel Crampton and Claire O'Keefe from Blenheim
again taking out the top two overall prizes at the 2007 Under 16
NZ Highland Dancing championships held at Waipu on Jan 1/2. Rachel
was the winner overall with Most points and Claire runner up.
Official rankings will be published on the Piping& Dancing
website.
Judges were: Mrs Lynette Mitchell - Mosgiel, Avalon Moffat - Wellington,
Mrs Kimberley Mavor- Oamaru.
3rd Jan 07 - end of year productions
Hawkes Bay (photos yet to be loaded)
 The
Kerren Withington School of dance end of year concert was held at
Lindisfarne College on Saturday Dec 2nd. Getting ready to perform
were: Waltz Clog – Jessica , Kirsten and Jenna.
 Preschoolers
Fairy Dance, that they also performed in getting Started. Caitlyn,
Ella and Mya.
 Ashleigh,Nicole
and Isabelle danced a Broadsword with Joanne,Lara and Jessie,
Beginners Ruia and Jessie performed a braveheart Jig 
Senior dancers Natalie,Raphelle,Jayden and Emma performed their
item “ In the navy “ which Jayden choreographed.
All dancers learnt at least 2 items for the concert , and the dancers
aged from 4-17 years enjoyed once again the challenge, fun and performing
that goes with Concerts.
2 of the items were performed a few weeks earlier at the Hawkes
Bay Ballet & Dance Extravaganza and were really well received with
the mainly “ballet supporting “ audience.
Marlborough
 Marlborough
Dance Centre's annual end of year production was held at the Marborough
Centre from 1 - 4 December. This year's show was "10 - A Decade
of Dance" and marked the tenth anniversary of Robyn Simmons and
Jeannie Mark joining their studios together to form Marlborough
Dance Centre.
The show incorporated some nostalgic elements with flashbacks from
previous shows combined with some exciting new choreography.
 The
Highland items in the show were many and varied ranging from an
Irish sequence by the little ones "Leprechaunland" to "Air of Scotland"
which incorporated 14 Under 10 dancers performing with four 10 metre
lengths of silk coming from a 2 metre high Thistle and "Dance d'Light"
which had a total of 21 dancers performing with torches.
 8
senior dancers (Anna Millar, Rachel Crampton, Claire O'Keeffe, Sara
Simmons, Marti Pearson, Ellena Soper, Megan Barnes and Laura Flaherty)
performed "Tribute to Split Enz" which was choreographed to a compilation
of 4 of Split Enz' hit songs.
21st Dec 06 - Youth forum report update
Check out the Youth Forum page for the latest report from 2006
Youth Forum held at Annual Conference in Dunedin.
21st Dec 06 - Xmas wishes to all members
Have a lovely Xmas and New Year. Take Care throughout the holiday
period and best of luck to all participants at the New Zealand 2007
Under 16 years championships being held at Waipu on Jan 1/2.
Teachers and members - If you have had any end of year concerts
or special dancing celebrations feel free to send photos and information
of the dancers to feature on the website.
21st Dec 06 - Stuck for something for Xmas?
Number Plate Surrounds
Great bargain just $12.50 for a Number Plate surround. A unique
and perfect idea for Xmas and a Must for all teachers and dancers!
Order yours now by mailing the Academy Secretary at PO Box 5470,
Palmerston North, NZ and send $12.50 per set - please note money
must accompany orders.
Jubilee Cookbook
Dont forget the 60th Jubilee Cookbook. Its available for $10 plus
postage and is filled with fabulous favourite recipes from members
across the country.
A fantastic Xmas present for your nearest and dearest or purchase
to find out some new great recipes for yourself. You can order your
copy now by contacting the Academy
Secretary.
Click
here to view archive of 2006 news articles
Click
here to view archive of 2005 news articles
Click
here to view archive of 2004 news articles
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