HIGHLAND DANCING

     Dance is common to all cultures. Most of the true Highland dances are connected with ancient Scottish folk customs. The present form evolved through the centuries as refinement in the general form of dance occurred, but the original basic steps and the themes were passed on through the years.

     The two main types of Scottish dance, Country Dance and Highland Dance, differ considerably in style and purpose. Country Dances have the character of ballroom or social dancing, while Highland Dances are quite different. The Highlands are performed solo. They have precise, difficult movements and require much stamina and coordination. Highland Dances were originally danced by men only, but now they're performed by far more females than males. Dance steps are standardized by the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (SOBHD) and competitions are held world-wide. In the United States, six geographic regions hold a qualifying competition each spring from which the top three finalists from each region are selected to compete at the United States Inter-Regional Highland Dancing Championships.

     Judges evaluate a dancer on three major crtiteria: timing, technique and deportment.

• TIMING refers to the ability of the dancer to follow the rhythm of the music. Dancers must place feet, arms and head in very precise position simultaneously with the music.

• TECHNIQUE means the correct execution of footwork in coordination with head, arm and hand movements. 'Elevation,' or the ability to spring vigorously above the dance platform, counts heavily. But: regardless of how showy a movement may appear, it can never really be a winner if performed out of position.

• GENERAL DEPORTMENT covers the interpretation the dancer displays in performing the dance. Balance and general appearance are very important. And, it's important that no matter how difficult the dance really is, the dancer must display supple movement with effortlessness, pleasure, freedom from elaborate showiness, and an unhurried attitude.

 
     Traditionally, Highland Dancing and Scottish National Dancing competitions are done to bagpipes. The version pipers play today dates back to the 16th Century, when the MacCrimmon family, pipers for McLeod of Harris, worked out not only the form of the bagpipes, but also the intricate fingering on the chanter. The music itself consists of the melody, which is played on the chanter, backed up by continuous and unvarying tones from the three drone pipes. Taken from the website www.highlandnet.com

Come Watch CDPA Highland Dancers, DANCE!!!

     The Pointe Shoe Decorating Contest was a great success and so much fun. We were amazed at the creativity that emerged from our wonderful school of Dancers.

Next Year we will do a Hat and Cane Decorating Contest, so put on your thinking caps and come up with another great idea.

                                   Congratulations to All that Participated!!!

Here are the winners:

                                    Grand Prize, Ellen Brown

          Category 1                     Category 2                     Category 3

1st        Lily Gold                     Lily Hayden                     Kelsey DiBiase

2nd      Ellie ru Smith               Elena Brazee                   Allyssa Brown

3rd       Jillian Armstrong        Skyler Sackett                  Kirstie Crawford

 
    What did you do this Summer? 

Here is what the CDPA teachers did:

Mrs. Claire spent the summer learning to be a Barbeque Queen (at Harry andLarry's across the street). She also taught Tutu Twos and Tumbling Tykes at CDPA. When her children finally managed to stay home for a full week, the whole family enjoyed a camping trip to Sarasota - and ate lots of Peanut Butter Pie!

Mrs. Karen's big news for the summer: we finished building our house and moved in on July 29th! It's "the big blue house" across the street from Lakeview Middle School. I'm looking forward to lots of visits from dancers!!In the midst of all the excitement we still managed to get away for a few days to Bonita Springs and New Smyrna Beach.

Mrs. Katie had a baby girl (Nora) and bought a house in Winter Garden.

Mrs. Eva said she worked, went to the beach! And had a juried drawing show!

Miss Brittni taught Hello Kitty Barbie Princess camp and went to Maryland to
see her Grandparents. She also registered for EMT classes while she waits to begin the Valencia Nursing Program January.

Miss Ellen attended a dance intensive at FSU and participated in a show with Ms. Kathryn in Boca Raton.

CDPA Dancers met Jakob Karr on Monday the 21st of December after the 2:00 performance of In His Name.  Jakob performed his signature choreography and was interviewed on stage by Ms Kathryn.  Then a Q & A session was open to Audience Members.  Jakob was also available for pictures and autographs.

What a treat for our Dancers!

The winners of the Silent angel Raffle:

Eva’s Art Work                 Madison McGrew
Dancer’s Make-up Kit     Lauren Brosonski
Ballerina Gift Bag           Natalie Turiczek
Painted Pointe shoe         Kendall DeFranco

At a Glance…Things you need to know:

*We will be measuring for costumes the first 2 weeks of January.

*Costume Deposits & Recital Fees are due.

*January tuition is due.

*If you pay for the entire semester by January 14th there is a 10% discount.

(5.5 months)

*No Dance Classes on Monday,

January 18 in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr Day.

Next Month’s issue of Footwork Forum will include a complete interview with Ms Kathryn about her trip to Panama and how dance can break through all barriers.