The New Zealand Academy of Highland and National Dancing News Feed

Conference 2024 September 20th - 22nd

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CONFERENCE Date: 20th - 22nd SEPTEMBER 2024

Registration Form is enclosed with the Newsletter.

Conference Venue - Rutherford Hotel, 27 Nile Street, Nelson

Friday Evening - Solo Seal Examination (start time to be confirmed)
Theatre Royal - 78 Rutherford Street, Nelson
Saturday
Youth Forum, Exam Organisers meeting, followed by Annual General Meeting and Forum, and Dance Development Course
Guest Speaker - Brigit Beattie - Physio therapist
Conference Dinner and Experience Saturday night - Presentation of Diplomas, Bar Recipients and Special Recognition awards, will be held at the Beachside Conference and Events Centre, 70 Beach Rd, Tahunanui, Nelson, included in your conference fees is transport to and from the venue.
Sunday
Breakfast session with Guest Speaker Sophie Hart

Dance Development Course - “Dancers Turn out Better”
Workshop Topics as follows:

Saturday afternoon
· ATTC - Sailors Hornpipe Stage 1 - Part 1
· Judging - Navigating changes

Sunday
· 18 & Over steps
· Turn out tips for teaching younger dancers
· Barre, centre, dance
· Irish Step construction
· ATTC - Sailors Hornpipe Stage 1 - Part 2

Further details on workshops will be provided in the August Newsletter.
50 year & over members
A reminder your Dance Development Course component of the Registration Fee is included in the total fee and will be refunded back to you after conference.
YOUTH FUNCTION

After Solo Seal on Friday night there will be a get together of Youth Members.

Further details to follow, please indicate your expression of interest on the Conference registration form. Costs will be advised as soon as details have been finalised.

Accommodation Options
Rutherford Hotel - Booking code 210196 - must email or call hotel direct quoting this code
· Palazzo Motel, Rutherford St. -just around the corner
· Centuary Park Motel, Rutherford St. -slightly further but also just around the corner
· Chelsea Park, Rutherford St. - slightly further but also just around the corner
· Admirals Motor Inn, Waimea Rd. -10-15min.walk
· Hotel Nelson, Waimea Rd. -10-15min. walk
· Tides Hotel ( has a restaurant & Bar) - 66 Trafalgar St. about 20min. walk
· DeLorenzo's - 43-55 Trafalgar St. about 25min.walk
· Cedar Grove Motor Lodge, 1 Grove St. opposite Tides Hotel about 20 min.walk

Demonstrators

Technical Committee will be needing several demonstrators for the Dance Development Course workshops at Conference. Applications are invited from Academy members or student members. Please note the following :

· A high level of competency and fitness is required.
· Training and preparation will be with a Technical Committee member either in person
or via zoom.
· Successful applicants must commit to pre-conference preparation.

The Dance Development Course fee will be waived for dancers who are demonstrators.

Please apply to the Secretary via email: admin@nzahnd.org.nz by 31 May.

Highland Dance Company of New Zealand - 2024 Auditions

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The 2024 auditions will be held on Tuesday 9th July 2024 8.30a.m - 10.30a.m. in Ashburton. or via video audtion if unable to attend the live auditions.
Information and application forms are available for downloading in the resources/Downloads area of the website.
Applications close 12 May 2024.

Changes to Music downloads Let's Dance & Grade Five

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Let’s Dance & Grade Five music downloads alterations
The music for Let’s Dance Highland Fling sequence has been sped up and Irish Jig sequence has been slowed down. The Grade Five music has been amended to now include the 2 Highland Reel Foundation movements of Progressive Glide and Progressive Cutting movements with Senior ending. Please download the new music for the May exams

Reduction in steps survey

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Reducing the number of steps in the senior dances, specifically in the Sword Dance, Seann Truibhas and Sailors Hornpipe, was a discussion topic raised at the Youth Forum and Academy Conference last year.
Input from the wider NZAHND members is now sought, by asking you to answer the survey questions. All responses will remain anonymous, and we greatly appreciate the time taken to fill in this survey.
While the Academy is carrying out this survey, the number of steps in the senior dances is subject to the Piping and Dancing bylaws. This means that the results of this survey are not binding in any way, but may be used to form a recommendation to the Piping and Dancing Association.

All members have been emailed a link to the survey. Survey finishes 28th March 2024

2024 Highland Dance Company of NZ - Auditions

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The 2024 Highland Dance Company of NZ live auditions will be held on Tuesday 09th July 9am - 11 a.m. in Ashburton, following on from the NZ Champs.
The minimum age is 14years and having passed Grade 5 examination at the time of the adution.
Please contact the Academy Secretary admin@nzahnd.org.nz if you require further details.

Beginner Judges Workshop

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Manawatu Teachers & Judges are hosting a Beginner Judges Workshop in conjunction with the Thistle Caledonian Society competition on 09th December in Palmerston North
The Tutor is Mrs Avalon Moffatt,
Cost is $20
Time: 9.30am to approximately 3.30 p.m
Please email Manawatu Teachers & Judges if you interested in attending, for further details
email: manawatutandj@gmail.com

Auckland Summer School 2024

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Here are the details of the 2024 Auckland Summer School and link to Registration form
Auckland Summer school
Thurs 18th Jan- Sun 21st Jan
Tutors: Christine Paul, Angus Hendry
Location: Onehunga Community Centre

Link to Registration form
https://www.cognitoforms.com/KateDeane1/AucklandSummerSchoolThurs18thSun21stJan

Change of Breakfast speaker - Conference

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Due to rugby commitments Jorja Miller is no longer able to be our Guest Speaker at the Sunday morning Breakfast session at conference.

We are fortunate that Dame Farah Palmer has accepted an invitation and is able to join us as our Guest Speaker.

Farah has a PHD in Sport Sociology and played and captained the Black Ferns to 3 Rugby World Cup victories. Farah also was a Highland Dancer from age 5 to 11 in Pio Pio!

Whilst we are disappointed that Jorja can no longer join us we look forward to welcoming Farah to our breakfast session.

Conference Registrations

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A reminder to members that to receive the discounted rate for Conference you need to have registered and paid by 31 July.

Registrations received by 31 July will go into a draw to have your conference registration fees refunded.