Virginia Tattoo day 1 & 2
The team gathered at Auckland Airport on Sunday morning 15th April, ready and waiting for the adventure to begin. That was halted with delays in both Auckland AND Houston, but nevertheless we finally saw the bright lights of New York City out of our small plane windows!
Everything was a breeze, and before we knew it we were stepping out into the cold New York Spring air at midnight on Sunday night. A short bus ride to our hotel even meant we got a quick glance of the Empire State Building!!
After a good, but short night’s sleep, many of the team were awoken by flash flood warnings in the area of our hotel – not the best day to plan a rehearsal in a park!
Although Mother Nature wasn’t on our side, we were given some free time to head to Macy’s, see the Flatiron building or simply stroll through the bustling New York streets and alleyways.
At lunchtime, the team met for our first afternoon of touring – with the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center first up on the list. It was a touching experience for everyone, and incredible that we had the opportunity to reflect on this major world event.
After a slight change of plans, we had a quick bite to eat downtown, then boarded the bus to make the trip out to Yankee Stadium in Queens to watch a home game by the New York Yankees (who gained a lot of new fans in, and sold a lot of merchandise to, the Dance Company).
We then discovered there is more than meets the eye to New York, and headed underground for our first Subway trip back to the one and only Times Square for a quick lookaround. After soaking in the sights, the team headed back to our hotel to have a full night’s rest before another day of touring and our first day rehearsing.
We feel so privileged and it is hard to believe we have been to some of the most iconic places on earth today, but we can’t wait to see where our next days in New York take us!
The team gathered at Auckland Airport on Sunday morning 15th April, ready and waiting for the adventure to begin. That was halted with delays in both Auckland AND Houston, but nevertheless we finally saw the bright lights of New York City out of our small plane windows!
Everything was a breeze, and before we knew it we were stepping out into the cold New York Spring air at midnight on Sunday night. A short bus ride to our hotel even meant we got a quick glance of the Empire State Building!!
After a good, but short night’s sleep, many of the team were awoken by flash flood warnings in the area of our hotel – not the best day to plan a rehearsal in a park!
Although Mother Nature wasn’t on our side, we were given some free time to head to Macy’s, see the Flatiron building or simply stroll through the bustling New York streets and alleyways.
At lunchtime, the team met for our first afternoon of touring – with the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center first up on the list. It was a touching experience for everyone, and incredible that we had the opportunity to reflect on this major world event.
After a slight change of plans, we had a quick bite to eat downtown, then boarded the bus to make the trip out to Yankee Stadium in Queens to watch a home game by the New York Yankees (who gained a lot of new fans in, and sold a lot of merchandise to, the Dance Company).
We then discovered there is more than meets the eye to New York, and headed underground for our first Subway trip back to the one and only Times Square for a quick lookaround. After soaking in the sights, the team headed back to our hotel to have a full night’s rest before another day of touring and our first day rehearsing.
We feel so privileged and it is hard to believe we have been to some of the most iconic places on earth today, but we can’t wait to see where our next days in New York take us!
The team gathered at Auckland Airport on Sunday morning 15th April, ready and waiting for the adventure to begin. That was halted with delays in both Auckland AND Houston, but nevertheless we finally saw the bright lights of New York City out of our small plane windows!
Everything was a breeze, and before we knew it we were stepping out into the cold New York Spring air at midnight on Sunday night. A short bus ride to our hotel even meant we got a quick glance of the Empire State Building!!
After a good, but short night’s sleep, many of the team were awoken by flash flood warnings in the area of our hotel – not the best day to plan a rehearsal in a park!
Although Mother Nature wasn’t on our side, we were given some free time to head to Macy’s, see the Flatiron building or simply stroll through the bustling New York streets and alleyways.
At lunchtime, the team met for our first afternoon of touring – with the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center first up on the list. It was a touching experience for everyone, and incredible that we had the opportunity to reflect on this major world event.
After a slight change of plans, we had a quick bite to eat downtown, then boarded the bus to make the trip out to Yankee Stadium in Queens to watch a home game by the New York Yankees (who gained a lot of new fans in, and sold a lot of merchandise to, the Dance Company).
We then discovered there is more than meets the eye to New York, and headed underground for our first Subway trip back to the one and only Times Square for a quick lookaround. After soaking in the sights, the team headed back to our hotel to have a full night’s rest before another day of touring and our first day rehearsing.
We feel so privileged and it is hard to believe we have been to some of the most iconic places on earth today, but we can’t wait to see where our next days in New York take us!
The team gathered at Auckland Airport on Sunday morning 15th April, ready and waiting for the adventure to begin. That was halted with delays in both Auckland AND Houston, but nevertheless we finally saw the bright lights of New York City out of our small plane windows!
Everything was a breeze, and before we knew it we were stepping out into the cold New York Spring air at midnight on Sunday night. A short bus ride to our hotel even meant we got a quick glance of the Empire State Building!!
After a good, but short night’s sleep, many of the team were awoken by flash flood warnings in the area of our hotel – not the best day to plan a rehearsal in a park!
Although Mother Nature wasn’t on our side, we were given some free time to head to Macy’s, see the Flatiron building or simply stroll through the bustling New York streets and alleyways.
At lunchtime, the team met for our first afternoon of touring – with the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center first up on the list. It was a touching experience for everyone, and incredible that we had the opportunity to reflect on this major world event.
After a slight change of plans, we had a quick bite to eat downtown, then boarded the bus to make the trip out to Yankee Stadium in Queens to watch a home game by the New York Yankees (who gained a lot of new fans in, and sold a lot of merchandise to, the Dance Company).
We then discovered there is more than meets the eye to New York, and headed underground for our first Subway trip back to the one and only Times Square for a quick lookaround. After soaking in the sights, the team headed back to our hotel to have a full night’s rest before another day of touring and our first day rehearsing.
We feel so privileged and it is hard to believe we have been to some of the most iconic places on earth today, but we can’t wait to see where our next days in New York take us!
The team gathered at Auckland Airport on Sunday morning 15th April, ready and waiting for the adventure to begin. That was halted with delays in both Auckland AND Houston, but nevertheless we finally saw the bright lights of New York City out of our small plane windows!
Everything was a breeze, and before we knew it we were stepping out into the cold New York Spring air at midnight on Sunday night. A short bus ride to our hotel even meant we got a quick glance of the Empire State Building!!
After a good, but short night’s sleep, many of the team were awoken by flash flood warnings in the area of our hotel – not the best day to plan a rehearsal in a park!
Although Mother Nature wasn’t on our side, we were given some free time to head to Macy’s, see the Flatiron building or simply stroll through the bustling New York streets and alleyways.
At lunchtime, the team met for our first afternoon of touring – with the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center first up on the list. It was a touching experience for everyone, and incredible that we had the opportunity to reflect on this major world event.
After a slight change of plans, we had a quick bite to eat downtown, then boarded the bus to make the trip out to Yankee Stadium in Queens to watch a home game by the New York Yankees (who gained a lot of new fans in, and sold a lot of merchandise to, the Dance Company).
We then discovered there is more than meets the eye to New York, and headed underground for our first Subway trip back to the one and only Times Square for a quick lookaround. After soaking in the sights, the team headed back to our hotel to have a full night’s rest before another day of touring and our first day rehearsing.
We feel so privileged and it is hard to believe we have been to some of the most iconic places on earth today, but we can’t wait to see where our next days in New York take us!
Auckland Summer School - Exam Workshop
Auckland Sumer School Exam workshop to be held 7/8 APril
See Resources/downloads for entry form
Dance Company of NZ - South island Tour local dance applications
The Highland dance company of NZ will be touring the South Island in early September with their "Heart of Highlands" concert in Blenheim, Ashburton, Oamaru and Invercargill.
Applications are invited from local dancers in these areas to be part of the concert.
See our website, Downloads, Resources for the application form or see your teacher for details
Tauranga Summer School 2018
Bay of Plenty Teachers & Judges Club held their first Summer school recently in Tauranga. There were 44 dancers attending from Auckland, Waikato, Hawkesy Bay, Christchurch, Oamaru and Tauranga. Tutors were Mrs Sherilyn Hall and Mrs Robyn Simmons. The week finished with a performance on the Dance-O-Mat at the Tauranga Waterfront, The outdoor performance was a great hit and several people gathered as an audience to watch the choreographed items and a massed fling.
Summer Fling 2018
The Balmoral Club in Christchurch recently held their annual Summer Fling with 161 dancers attending. Their tutors were Mrs Kimberley Mavor, Mrs Kate Rowe, Mrs Pamela Fleming, Mrs Anne Payne. The Fun class was tutored by Miss Kendyll Taylor, the Junior class by Mrs Elizabeth Smith, and the Stretch and strengthen class by Miss Chantelle Shatford. Once again the Boys only class was popular with Mr Lewis Gibson tutoring.
Scholarships were awarded to the following dancers: Ella Metcalf (Timaru), Alex Glover (Southland), Sophie Borsboom (Christchurch), Tara O'Brien (South Canterbury), Pete Greenslade (Christchurch), Olivia Mavor (Oamaru), Isla MacFarlane (Tauranga), Ariana Watkins (Christchurch), Megan Harrison (Ashburton), Taylor Maree Allne (Christchurch)
Southland Teachers & Judges Exam Workshop
The Southland Teachers & Judges are holding an Exam workshop 7/8 April in Invercargill. Tutor Mrs Danitta Findlay
See downloads for registration form and further information
ACADEMY TECHNICAL TRAINING COURSES 2018
ACADEMY TECHNICAL TRAINING COURSE STEP DANCE SYLLABUS 2018
The ATTC is an in depth study of the NZAHND ( Inc) Highland and Step Dance syllabuses, conducted in two parts, over two weekends.
Each part of the Course will be facilitated by 2 members of the Technical Committee.
The aim of the Course is to give participants greater understanding and knowledge of syllabus requirements by looking at the finer points of exercises, foundation movements, steps and dances as well as musical requirements.
Participants are encouraged to be physically fit, though they do not necessarily have to dance.
Completion of part or all of the ATTC will be a requirement for Levels 2 and 3 of the Academy Progression Scheme.
14/15 April, Auckland - Step Dance Syllabus
04/05 August, Christchurch - Highland Syllabus
Cost $250 for each weekend. Applications for the April course close on 31 January to the Secretary: admin@nzahnd.org.nz with a non refundable deposit of $125 with the balance payable by 28 February 2018. For the August Course, non refundable deposit of $125 due by 30 June 2018 with balance due 1 August.
Repeat Success at ChoreoMagic Challenge – Paris 2017
For the second year in a row, New Zealand dancers have featured prominently at the International Gathering of Scottish Highland Dance at Disneyland Paris
In 2016 dancers from Danitta Findlay’s School of Dance, Christchurch took part in both the ChoreoMagic Challenge and dancing competitions. They were very successful in both competitions. And, now in 2017 Julie Hawke’s School of Dance took a group of 25 dancers which included four dancers from Lynette Mitchell School of Dance, and took part in the ChoreoMagic Challenge and they were also very successful in all sections.
All music and costumes are required to be Disney themed and performed with Highland Dancing Technique. Solos and Duos are 2 minute duration and Groups 4 minutes with the Overall Age Group being 5 minutes. Julie’s group took part in over 15 different items – a huge undertaking and were successful in all.
They were the overall winner of the Dancing Schools Groups which covered all ages. Their five minute item Moana, received excellent feedback and one person said it brought tears to their eyes.
With this huge success over the past two years it has indeed put New Zealand on the map and the Academy. It is a huge undertaking to organise participation in events such as this, and we congratulate everyone who took part in both this year and last year. Anyone else wanting to follow in the future will be able to draw on the expertise of these dance schools.
Congratulations.
