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50 dancers from New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Scotland
were lucky enough to be involved in performing at the Wonju Military
Tattoo in Korea during October 2006.
Academy Dancers in team:
- Megan Barnes
- Elizabeth Barbonnick
- Alexandra Burnside
- Kimberley Burnside
- Rachel Crampton
- Laura Flaherty
- Michelle Green
- Michael Gudgeon
- Serena Jensen
- Anna Kerr
- Kelsey Mortensen
- Jolie McLeod
- Michelle McMaster
- Claire O’Keefe
- Marti Pearson
- Anna Reid
- Ellena Soper
- Celia Tanner
- Jenna Webster
- Debbie Wilson
- Jadyn Withington
- Teacher: Mrs Robyn Simmons
:
Final Report
 Our
2nd day at Everland was filled with excitement and fear as all of
us embarked on all the scary rides! We then partook in the Everland
Parade. Jadyn Withington, Michael Gudgen and George Jackson were
promoted to pop star status as they were mobbed by screaming Korean
girls, yelling out, “We love you!” Somehow, they got hold of a Haeri’s,
the Korean girl in our team, cell phone number and Michael received
150 text messages from all his fans.
A quick spot of sightseeing was organised for us on our last day
in Korea. We went to a traditional village that is still in existence
showing how the Koreans used to live years ago. Of course, shopping
was also made time for!
 The
final performance was amazing, the crowd went crazy, hundreds of
screaming girls (the boys fan club), filled the audience, some having
travelled over 4 hours to see us. Upon completion of our item, security
guards had to stop the Korean girls from leaving the auditorium.
Michael then had to be escorted to the bus by 6 security officers
at the end of the show, to stop his fans mobbing him. It was the
funniest sight you can imagine! The boys loved it and I am sure
that all their friends back home will not believe their popularity
in Korea!
We arrived back late to our resort and organised a team thank you
and goodbye party! It was a very late night (or early morning!)
for most, as some of the girls had to leave at 5am in the morning,
so of course we had to say goodbye to them!
We are all now home safe and sound! A wonderful time was had by
all and we all have made some great new friends from around the
world! I think the only thing I won’t miss is Kimchi (traditional
Korean cabbage dish) and rice, which was served up for every meal!
13th Oct 06 - Latest update on NZ Highland Dancers in Korea
 Well,
our performances are now under way! The opening ceremony was 2 nights
ago, where we were one of the two acts specially selected to perform
our 15 minute item, which consists of dancing to highland style
music to NZ traditional music using pois and then dancing to Korean
hip hop music. The atmosphere was unbelievable. The crowd went crazy,
yelling and screaming with excitement during our dance!
Yesterday we went to Everland, (Korean equivalent of Disneyland!)
where we partook in a parade and then performed our act. With last
mintue changes, as the Canadians managed to arrive in time, we performed
our first show. It was great to finally get out there and perform
the dance that we had been working so hard on over the last few
days!
Today we went to the Korean War Memorial Museum, where we performed
in front of officials. We performed our 15 minute dance, only to
be told later that that was the rehearsal and that we had to perform
it again, as the officials had not been in attendance! The joys
of trying to understand a different language! We then went to a
temple and managed to fit in a quick spot of shopping! With another
show over, everyone is extermely tired due to the packed schedule,
but everyone is very excited as it is another trip to Everland tomorrow
to go on all the rides!
9th Oct 06 - Update from NZ Dancers in Korea
 "We
have all arrived safely in Wonju. We are staying in a Ski Resort,
where we overlook a skifield! (except there is no snow!) For the
past 2 days, we have been rehearsing our dance seeing it is the
first time we have all been together.
Yesterday we went to the purpose built Auditorium where we will
be performing. The only slight drama is that 7 Canadian dancers
in the team are stuck in Tokyo, due to the Typhoon and we don't
know when they will be arriving! Hopefully they get here in time
before the performances begin!"
Dancers off to Tattoo in Korea
 50
dancers from New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Scotland are off
to Korea to perform in the Wonju Military Tattoo on Thursday 6 October.
There are two days of intensive rehearsals, which willl be the
first time the team are all together to put the dance together.
The dance is 15 minutes long! The team will be dancing in 12 performances,
including 2 appearances at Everland (the Korean equivalent of Disneyland!)
- a much anticipated highlight for everyone!
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