A Note from the Editor

A Note From The Editor

It’s another bumper issue of the Alliance News, proving (if proof were needed!) that the SDTA are busy, busy, busy! I hope that you will enjoy reading about this year’s triumphs and some of next year’s big events. The SDTA will celebrate its 85th birthday in 2019! Why not come and celebrate at our President’s Burns Celebration? Please see the advert on page 5 for details on how to purchase your tickets. Our Attitude Dance competition used to be a Cheer/Pom comp but it has grown and developed into an event which encompasses a variety of dance styles and genres. See the article on page 19 to find out more! Interested in entering your students for the Ballet and Theatre Branch’s Dance Challenge? Details are on page 14. Are you a big fan of Strictly? Turn to page 17 to find out what happened when one of our Ballroom branch members went on a Strictly cruise and danced for Craig Revel Horwood! See page 31 for information on the Highland branch’s exciting new Choreography Challenge for pupils of SDTA members. Stroll down Memory Lane with Jack Reavely on page 33 and learn the fascinating story of SDTA founder and Ballroom legend Alex S. Warren OBE. Not sure what GDPR means? Looking for a safeguarding course? Check out pages 6 and 7 for important information for all dance teachers. If you have any dance news that you would like to share via the Alliance News or our social media platforms, please e-mail or post your submissions to us for consideration. Please mark all submissions “F.A.O. The SDTA News Editor”. Finally, I would like to point out that reading the Alliance News is best done with a cup of tea and a choccy biccie…or a mince pie. Just saying. With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year, The Ed

2 Index General A Message from our President Page 4 President’s Burns Celebration 2019 Page 5 Important Information for Teachers Pages 6 & 7 SDTA Highland Scholarships 2019 Page 8 World Cabaret Heat Page 9 Memory Lane, by Jack Reavely Pages 34 - 38 In Loving Memory Page 38 SDTA Diary 2019 Inside Back Cover Ballet & Theatre Branch News from the Ballet & Theatre Branch Page 10 & 11 Stage Festival 2018 Pages 12 & 13 Some Upcoming Events Page 14 Ballet and Theatre Scholarships 2019 Page 15 Ballroom Branch Ballroom Branch Report Page 16 So, You Think You Can’t Dance? Page 16 Strictly Come Cruising! Page 17 Baton & Cheer Branch News From The Baton & Cheer Branch Page 18 Attitude Dance Page 19 Highland Branch 2018 Premierships Results Page 20 & 21 North American Conference & Scholarships 2018 Pages 22 & 23 European Scholarships & Day of Dance 2018 Pages 24 & 25 News From the Highland Branch Pages 26 - 29 Some Upcoming Events Page 30 & 31 Important Information for Highland Teachers Page 32 & 33

SDTA Extraordinary General Meeting Sunday, 3rd March, 2019 SDTA Studios 101 Park Road 2.00pm Please ensure that your subscriptions are fully paid up for entry to meeting.

3 A Message From Our President

Fellow members, First of all, I hope you all have a healthy, happy and restful Christmas and holiday season. It is a privilege and a pleasure to bring this Christmas message to you. Since becoming President again in 2017 there have been many highlights, and it seems that not a week goes by in which the Alliance is not either involved in events or driving forward events in the dance world. It’s wonderful to see the branches growing and strengthening their positions in their genres of dance.

Of course, none of this work and the success we are seeing in the Alliance can be achieved without the many volunteers we rely on throughout the world. However, there is only so much goodwill to go around, so you are all welcome to put your names forward to help at our events, and we will make the best use of your talents to support the Alliance. So, at this point, my thanks to the many volunteers in all our branches who give up their time to make events a success for all of us.

I also have to say a very big thank you to all the branch committee members, branch convenors and branch examiners. Your dedication to the Alliance is appreciated and does not go unnoticed. Of course, the Alliance could not operate without our amazing office staff. A very big thank you from me and from the Executive Council to Jayne, Gillian,Nicola and Laura for the outstanding work you carry out. The feedback received continues to be nothing but praise.

Well, Christmas is here again. Relax and have a safe and enjoyable time, whatever you may be doing. I wish you all, and your families, a very merry Christmas and a successful 2019! With best wishes, Gregor Bowman 4 ‘Here’s Tae Us! Wha’s Like Us?’ Come and celebrate 85 years of the SDTA at our President’s Burns Celebration 2019!

Saturday, 26th January, 2019 Alona Hotel, Motherwell Tickets: £38 * Adults aged 16 years and over

5 Important Information For Teachers

Safeguarding The SDTA Executive Council would like to remind all members of the importance of safeguarding the children and vulnerable adults in our care. For teachers, this means ensuring you have the PVG Scheme Membership/Police Checks in the first instance. Safeguarding training and a Child Protection Policy will also enable you to follow the correct procedures if any child/vulnerable adult protection issues arise and will allow parents/carers to do the same. You can familiarise yourself with the SDTA Child Protection Policy by downloading it from our website.

All SDTA teachers should complete a Safeguarding/Child Protection course. You can access the NSPCC online courses at: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/training/our-elearning-courses

If at any time you have any concerns or questions relating to child protection or safeguarding, please contact the SDTA Child Protection Liaison Officer - [email protected] All emails will be treated in confidence.

Music Licence PPL has joined forces with PRS for Music to make it easier for customers to obtain a single music licence for the playing and performance of music in public. If you play or perform music in your business or organisation in the UK, you will usually need The Music Licence. It will cover you with one licence and one invoice for the use of virtually all commercially released music available. Please go to pplprs.co.uk for details.

6 GDPR The General Data Protection Regulations became law in May 2018. If you run your own business, you should ensure that you are processing and storing information in accordance with GDPR. For further information on GDPR and your responsibilities, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office on 0303 123 1113 or visit their website, www.ico.org.uk

The SDTA privacy policy was updated in May 2018 and is available on our website. It describes how the SDTA manage your personal information in accordance with GDPR and your rights. The SDTA is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Our privacy notice will be updated from time to time, so members and customers may wish to periodically review our privacy notice to ensure you are happy with any changes.

SDTA Examination Estimate Forms Teachers are respectfully reminded that they must submit an examination estimate form when booking an examination session. These forms have been specially designed to allow the SDTA office staff to process your paperwork in the quickest way possible and to relay necessary information to the examiner. Many teachers are e-mailing their estimates in the form of a letter, missing out necessary information, e.g. examination venue, start time or the standard of Group Performance awards. The office staff then have to get in touch with the teacher again to obtain the missing information, causing a delay in the processing of the examination paperwork and the ordering of any Group Performance awards. Estimate forms for each branch are available on the SDTA website and are made available at branch meetings. Thank you for your co- operation.

7 North American SDTA Conference and James L McKenzie & Elspeth Strathern Scholarships 2019

Seattle, Washington

Scholarships October 2019 Dates to be confirmed

Conference October 2019 Dates to be confirmed

UK & Europe Highland Scholarships and Day of Dance 2019

Alona Hotel Motherwell

Scholarships-Saturday 9th November

Day of Dance-Sunday 10th November

8 The Scottish Dance Teachers’ Alliance will host a World Cabaret Performer Heat

Saturday, February 16th, 2019 in Denny Civic Theatre, Dumbarton

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: FRIDAY DECEMBER 14th, 2018

See the SDTA website for details and to download an entry form.

All enquiries and entries to: Mrs J Sutherland-Archer Lochlorien Borrowfield Cardross G82 5NL

9 News from the B&T Branch Ballet & Theatre

A great time was had by all who attended SDTA Ballet Ambassador Scott McKenzie’s classes at our studios in August. Scott is having an extremely busy year with the Vienna State Opera Ballet, where he has been promoted to Demi Soloist. Many congratulations, Scott, and thank you for your inspiring classes!

War of the Worlds star Adam Garcia took time out of his busy schedule to visit the SDTA studios this summer. Many thanks to Adam for a fantastic day of tap!

Jazzartuk are super-excited about the pantomime season! Oh, yes, they are! They are providing performers for the junior ensembles in the SECC’s Cinderella and Aladdin in Motherwell Theatre. Graduates can be seen in professional pantos throughout the UK, including Glasgow, Dundee, Dunfermline and New Lanark.

Congratulations to Ellie Wood and Olivia Moulsdale (pictured with SDTA Vice President Betty Sutherland) for their success at the National TDCI Scholarships in August! Ellie, of the McKechnie School of Dance, won the Senior Tap title. Olivia, from the Linda Lowry School, triumphed in the Junior Ballet section. Congratulations also to Katie Horne, Carmen Judge and Millie Wright for their outstanding performances. The SDTA are so proud of all our representatives.

10 SDTA Member Daniel Donaldson Todd was our lecturer for Time To Shine, our fun and informative Theatre & Ballet Modern/Jazz Technique and Musicality & Performance classes at Jazzart Studios in November. The dancers had an absolutely fantastic day of dance and found the Q&A session extremely helpful. Thank you, Daniel. Our dancers found your workshops and your Q&A session informative and inspiring.

SDTA Ballet & Theatre examiner Nadine McKenzie Judge was shortlisted for the Carl Alan Teacher’s Award this year. Congratulations to Nadine and to her student, Millie Wright, who was shortlisted for the Carl Alan Young Performer award.

Nadine, Gregor Bowman & Millie

SDTA member Ruth Lindsay continues to represent the SDTA in Ibiza, teaching at the island’s Passion Dance School. The school wish to thank the SDTA for their support in giving their students the opportunity to take part in SDTA dance examinations.

11 Stage Festival & Championships Ballet & Theatre

Many thanks and congratulations to Jan Sutherland for the best SDTA Stage Festival and Championships yet! Every day our wonderful competitors gave dynamic and captivating performances in various genres, including Tap, Ballet, Character, Song & Dance, Greek and Acrobatic Dance. The week of dance culminated with the Central Scotland Championships, the results of which are shown opposite. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all who took part – your hard work and dedication are truly commendable. Jan would like to thank the staff of Denny Civic Theatre for their help throughout the week, and she would also like to thank the volunteers who help to make this popular event possible. A special mention must go to Annette Biglie and Alex Robson, who helped with the entries and were a great support to Jan all week. Many thanks to the rest of Jan’s amazing team, including Jill Douglas, Betty Sutherland, Irene Miller, Amanda Robson, Sherrie Carnegie, Diane Stewart, Pauline O’Halloran, Jayne Ewing, Andrew Cowan, Margaret Cowan, Sheena McDonald, Karen Baird, Liza Stitt, Ross Dickson and Dawn Stuart. Thank you to our music operators, Hayley, Zoe, Amy and Ellis. Thanks also to the SDTA office for their help and support, and our distinguished panel of judges – Helen Harris, Antony Johns and Sheila Ward (pictured L to R) – for their professionalism, efficiency and positive energy.

12 SDTA Central Scotland Theatre & Ballet Championship Winners 2018

Baby Baby Cabaret Frankie Rose Black N. Tough Baby Non-Cabaret Lacey Wilburt McKechnie

Juvenile Tap Niamh Marsland DDA Ballet Eva Shand N. Tough Modern Ellis Oliver McKechnie Song & Dance Olivia Lusk JAD

Junior Tap Eve O’Brien HSD Ballet Eve O’Brien HSD Modern Carmen Judge McKechnie Song & Dance Carmen Judge McKechnie

Senior Tap Isla McAlpine JAD Ballet Amelia Allan Young Modern Millie Wright McKechnie Song & Dance Isla McAlpine JAD

Jean Wood Memorial Trophy Winner Carmen Judge McKechnie

13 Some Upcoming Events Ballet & Theatre Ballet & Theatre Meetings and Lectures – Sunday, 3rd February 2019 at the SDTA Studios, 101 Park Road, G4 9JE Details are still to be finalised but we can confirm that Wendy Lawrence will lecture on Acrobatic Dance technique. If you wish to attend the Acro lecture and require a syllabus, please contact the SDTA office at least a week in advance of the lecture date to order and pay for your syllabus. Please check our website and facebook page regularly for updates on our February meetings and lectures.

Ballet & Theatre General Examinations Sunday, 24th February, 2019 at the SDTA Studios, 101 Park Road, G4 9JE Closing date for entries: Friday, 25th January, 2019 Ballet & Theatre General Examinations Sunday, 2nd June, 2019 at the SDTA Studios, 101 Park Road, G4 9JE Sunday, 24th February, 2019 Closing date for entries: Friday, 3rd May, 2019 at the SDTA Studios, 101 Park Road, G4 9JE

Dance Challenge th Sunday, 12th May, 2019 Closing date for entries: Friday, 25 January, 2019 at the SDTA Studios, 101 Park Road, G4 9JE Dance Challenge Please attend branch meetings Sunday, 2nd June, 2019 and check our website and Facebook page regularly for updates on this event. Sunday, 12th May, 2019 at the SDTA Studios, 101 Park Road, G4 9JE Some feedback from our teachers: “It gave us the opportunity to showcase our costumes and choreography Please attend branch meetings and gave the girls some happy memories and photographs – it added another dimension to our dancing year.” and check our website and Facebook page regularly

“Thank you to the adjudicator for her constructive comments for updates on this event. and for relaxing and reassuring everyone.”

14 Some feedback from our teachers: “It gave us the opportunity to showcase our costumes and choreography and gave the girls some happy memories and photographs – Ballet & Theatre Scholarships 2019 Ballet & Theatre & Ballet The SDTA Ballet and Theatre Branch Scholarships in Ballet, Modern and Tap will take place on Sunday, 28th April, 2019. The winners will represent the Alliance at the Theatre Dance Council International National Scholarships in Ballet, Modern and Tap on Friday, 2nd August, 2019 in Fleetwood, Blackpool. The Junior Scholarship age group is 10-13 years and the Senior Scholarship age group is 14–17 years. Candidates must be within these age groups on the date of the SDTA Scholarship. The Scholarship Day consists of a masterclass and prepared solo dance in costume. Senior Ballet nominees should be prepared for a pointework section in their class. We are inviting all teachers to nominate pupils who have achieved either: • Highly Commended in any SDTA Medal Test in the Ballet and Theatre Branch or • 80 marks or above in any SDTA Grade or Major Examination in the Ballet and Theatre Branch. • Examiners may also wish to nominate pupils These results must have been achieved between April 1st 2018 and 31st March 2019, and candidates must be eligible in their age group. Entry forms are available on the SDTA website. The closing date for nominations is Monday, 8th April, 2019. The SDTA Scholarships will take place in the SDTA Studios, 101 Park Road, Glasgow, G4 9JE. Registration will be at 9.30am, the masterclasses will commence at 10.00am, and the winners and runners up will be announced at approximately 4.00pm. Please note that all candidates must guarantee that they are available to represent the SDTA at the TDCI Scholarships and understand that all travel and accommodation costs are the sole responsibility of the candidate/ legal guardian.

15 Ballroom Branch Report

Ballroom The first branch meeting in 2019 will take place at the SDTA studios on Sunday, 3rd March, immediately following the close of the Extraordinary General Meeting. Any proposed change of rule must be discussed at this meeting, in order to finalise any rule change propositions to be submitted to the SDTA office for inclusion in the A.G.M. agenda, along with the election of the Branch Committee (who require to be endorsed by the Executive Council at least three months prior to the A.G.M. on 8th September, 2019). The East Coast meeting will take place at 11am on Sunday 28th April at Dalgety Bay Community Centre, Fife, KY11 9UZ. The East Coast members requested lectures on Foxtrot and Cha Cha Cha, which will be provided by Andrew Cowan. The date for a further meeting in May /June, if deemed necessary, will be decided at the April meeting. Members are reminded that the appropriate set solo basic routine danced to music as leader and follower must be included at every Professional Ballroom and Latin examination level. Margaret Cowan, SDTA Vice President and Ballroom Branch Convenor

So, You Think You Can’t Dance? If someone has sensory, mobility or even memory impairments, can they join a dance class? The answer is ‘Yes, they can.’ Then the practical element kicks in and you think: How do I teach that? I had experience of people who danced with disabilities but I wanted tof nd out how I could adapt dances and include more people, so I embarked on the Para Dance UK Inclusive Dance Training course. After completing online learning, including a fnal assessment, I visited Watford for three days of practical work. The practical days included use of wheelchairs and other mobility aids. Using them really made me aware of how much more time the dancer would need to complete the moves; that you really can’t go sideways in a wheelchair or with a mobility aid; and that not all wheelchairs are the same. I learned how to dance in a chair and a brilliant hand dance to a tango. The course ended with a practical assessment that included choreographing and teaching a dance. The Inclusive Dance Training has helped me with my own classes and in my work with a local dementia group. Watford is a bit of a distance but I believe they are trying to set up a course in Scotland, which I will defnitely look out for.

Sherrie Carnegie 16 Strictly Come Cruising! Ballroom

In May, the Ballroom branch’s Graham McKellar boarded the P&O ship Ventura with his wife Carol Ann, bound for the Mediterranean. The cruise took in Spain, France, Italy – and a Strictly competition!

Strictly Come Dancing stars AJ Pritchard, Chloe Hewitt, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Dianne Buswell, and Neil and Katya Jones put the guests through their paces in a series of classes encompassing Jive, Salsa and the Cha Cha Cha. Graham and Carol Ann were thrilled to be selected to go through to the stage show. They were supplied with music and a CD player and were left to choreograph and practise their own Foxtrot routine.

On show night, the sea was a bit rocky, as the ship was sailing through the Bay of Biscay at that point, but that didn’t faze Graham and Carol Ann. They danced a beautifully-balanced American Smooth- style Foxtrot to the Nat King Cole classic Walking My Baby Back Home, in front of an appreciative audience and judges Craig Revel Horwood, Giovanni Pernice and the ship’s Captain. They were awarded a perfect ten by Giovanni and the Captain but, true to form, Mr Revel Horwood appeared to have lost his “10” paddle, awarding them a highly respectable 9!

The final decision was in the hands of the audience, and the victorious McKellars were presented with the glitterball trophy by Mr Revel Horwood. Congratulations, Graham and Carol Ann!

17 Baton & Cheer Branch News Baton & Cheer

Acrobatic Dance Technique Lecture Teachers found the last Acro technique lecture so helpful and informative that they have requested another lecture. As some of the requests came from Ballet and Theatre branch members and some of our branch members are also Ballet and Theatre branch members, our fabulous lecturer, Wendy Lawrence, will give an Acro technique lecture at the Ballet and Theatre Teacher’s Day on Sunday, February 3rd, 2019 at the SDTA studios. If you wish to attend and require an Acro syllabus, please contact the SDTA office at least a week in advance of the lecture date to order and pay for your syllabus.

To Teachers From All Branches Looking for some fun warm-up ideas for your nursery/P1/P2 classes? Why not try our Dance Stars Pom syllabus? If your dancers have any gaps on their Dance Stars shield, you can even enter them for Dance Stars Pom examinations! All SDTA examiners are qualifed to examine Dance Stars Pom, so it’s easy to incorporate these tests into your examination day. You can obtain the full Dance Stars Pom syllabus from the SDTA website, free of charge.

18 Baton & Cheer

Come and be part of the amazing ATTITUDE Dance Competition at Ravenscraig Sports Arena, Motherwell on 17th March 2019! The ATTITUDE Dance Competition is a fantastic event, enjoyed by dancers of all ages and loved by spectators. With its fun, friendly, exciting and positive atmosphere, along with a competitive spirit, it has become a favourite fxture in our dance calendars. All dancers will receive a medal and all teams will receive a trophy reflecting their ranked position. The competition will also have a prize for the coach of the team with the highest overall score.

The 2019 competition will have three sections: Hip Hop, Open Choreography and Pom. We are delighted to be able to offer extremely good prices for both dancers and spectators. To obtain the discount, early bird entries must be in by 27th January 2019. The prices are as follows: - Dancers entering any ONE section- Pom Dance OR Hip Hop OR Open £18 (£13 early bird entry) Dancers entering any TWO sections (in any combination) £28 (£22 early bird entry) Dancers entering ALL THREE sections £33 (£26 early bird entry) Spectators £8 (£6 early bird entry) Entry forms are available on the SDTA website

19 SDTA HIGHLAND PREMIERSHIPS 2018 Highland

The 2018 SDTA Highland Premierships took place in Ravenscraig Sports Facility in Motherwell on Saturday, 3rd November. We wish to congratulate Gillian Chapman and the Highland branch committee on another fantastic event. Thank you for all your hard work. The dancers had a wonderful day. Many thanks also to our adjudicators and our pipers. Congratulations to the winners and to all who took part. The winners are shown below.

Beginners Under 8 Years Rachel Carruthers Beginners 8 Years & Over Lily Rae Novice Under 9 Years Lucy McMaster Novice 9 Years & Over Paulina Smith Intermediate 10 Years & Under Hannah Buxel Intermediate 11 Years & Over Hollie Shumway Broadswords 13 Years & Under Sarah Hendry School Broadswords 15 Years & Under Sarah Hendry School Broadswords Adult Sarah Hendry School Premiership 7 years & under 11 Eilidh Gammons Premiership 10 years & Under 12 Morven Terrance Premiership 12 years & Under 14 years Charlotte Simpson Premiership 14 years & Under 16 years Robyn McMillan Premiership 16 years & Under 18 years Cameron Walker Premiership Adult Rachael Walker Premiership Over all Premiership Winner Eilidh Gammons/Robyn McMillan Rachael Walker Special Event 7 years & under 11 Eilidh Gammons Special Event 11 Years Amelia Barton Special Event 12 years & Under 14 years Charlotte Simpson Special Event 14 years & Under 16 years Robyn McMillan Special Event 16 years & Under 18 years Cameron Walker Special Event Adult Chloe McClean Photos shown opposite: Top – Overall Winners; Centre – 18 Years & Over International Premiership Winners; Bottom – Broadswords Winners

20 Highland

21 NORTH AMERICAN CONFERENCE Highland & SCHOLARSHIPS 2018

The team behind this year’s North American Conference and Scholarships weekend McMaster-minded a truly dance-tastic event!

A huge thank you to:

Paulina McMaster, Dana Gamache, Sandra Bald Jones and Chelsea Verbeek for organising this amazing weekend.

Ann Milne, Rebecca McKinnon, Pat McMaster and Wendy Wilson for all your help and support.

Our fantastic lecturers – Gregor Bowman, Gillian Brough, Allana Brown, Laura Donlan, Catherine MacLeod, Aileen Robertson, Jacqueline Smith, Ashley Stowkowy and Rebecca Thow.

Our expert panel of judges – Allana Brown, Gillian Dunn, Heather Jolley, Fiona Lee and Aileen Robertson.

Congratulations to the winners of our JL McKenzie and Elspeth Strathern Scholarships and to all of the incredible nominees who took part.

A great evening was had by all at the banquet, and the awards were presented by members of our brilliant Highland examiners panel.

Terrifc events like this just whet your appetite for more of the same, so we are all looking forward to next year’s event in Seattle! Until then, keep it reel!

22 Highland

(From L to R) Jacqueline Smith, Samantha Barrow, Callie Boan and Bill Troock

North American Scholarships 2018

Junior Scholarship Winner Calllie Boan (Bill Troock/Kelly Abrahart)

Junior Scholarship, 2nd Place Megan Smith (Shelley Grant Rovers)

Junior Scholarship, 3rd Place Kyla McGill (Christina Thomas)

Senior Scholarship Winner Samantha Barrow (Jacqueline Smith)

Senior Scholarship, 2nd Place Jordan Masales (Pat McMaster & Paulina McMaster)

Senior Scholarship, 3rd Place Seanna Novak (Bain, Troock, Weaver)

23 EUROPEAN HIGHLAND Highland SCHOLARSHIPS & DAY OF DANCE 2018

A huge SDTA thank you to organiser Jill Douglas for yet another fantastic European Highland Scholarships and Day of Dance.

The events took place at our beloved Alona hotel, whose welcoming staff once again helped to create a terrifc atmosphere of competitive fun and SDTA magic! The standard of dancing was exceptionally high, so many congratulations to our winners and their teachers (picture and results shown opposite).

Thank you to our Scholarship judges (Miss Mandy Campbell, Miss Linda Nixon and Miss Myra Miller) and to Miss Christine Lacey MBE, our masterclass lecturer.

A great time was had by all on the Day of Dance. Thank you to our wonderful lecturers: Miss Karen Baird, Mr Gregor Bowman, Miss Eilidh McMillan and Miss Aileen Robertson.

The banquet was fantastic fun, as always. Special mention has to go to the world-famous cabaret act Pas de Abba. Any similarity between these ladies and highly respected Highland branch members (such as Irene Miller and Julie Morris) are purely coincidental. We can confrm to our readers that the outrageously flamboyant Abba medley had absolutely nothing to do with the Alliance or any of its members, and we are distancing ourselves from it most emphatically. We have been assured that the member of the act who jumped into the splits at the end of the routine was defnitely not Margaret Livingston, SDTA Highland examiner, even though the resemblance and the splits were startling.

In conclusion, the UK Scholarships weekend, like a fne wine, is getting better and better with every passing year. No pressure, Jill!

24 Highland

European Scholarships 2018

Junior Scholarship Winner Niamh Donnelly (Gillian Chapman)

Junior Scholarship, 2nd Place Leah McIlwrath (Michelle Johnston)

Junior Scholarship, 3rd Place Edith Cui (Allana Brown)

Senior Scholarship Winner Robyn McMillan (Lynne Hamilton)

Senior Scholarships, 2nd Place Caitlin Findlay (Lauren Meehan)

Senior Scholarships, 3rd Place Charlotte Simpson (Karen Baird)

Junior Choreography Winner Isla Montgomery (Aileen Robertson)

Senior Choreography Winner Charlotte Simpson (Karen Baird)

25 News from the Highland Branch Highland

The SDTA were delighted to sponsor the ScotDance Canada Championship Series’ Judges’ and Teachers’ reception. SDTA examiners Sandra Bald Jones and Lynne Hamilton greeted everyone on arrival, being their gracious and friendly selves. Our decorations looked fantastic and the reception was very well attended. Thank you to all who helped to organise the reception and to all attendees.

Many thanks to Highland Ambassador Ellis Hayes for returning to the SDTA studios this summer to conduct some classes for us. The dancers found the classes to be educational, inspirational…and a lot of hard work!

Once again SDTA highland examiner and REMT Dance Director Aileen Robertson and her dancers delighted audiences at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. A bus-load of SDTA members travelled through to Edinburgh to watch this truly incredible show. Thank you to Mrs Sutherland and Laura Morris for organising this trip. There are rumours about who sang loudest on the bus but we couldn’t possibly comment…

Congratulations to the OBHD(SA) for their wonderful highland dance conference. Thank you for the warm welcome shown to our Vice President Mrs Betty Sutherland, who enjoyed meeting up with old friends and new faces. Betty is pictured with Miss Dorothy Young.

26 Many congratulations to Pat McMaster

(left) and Sandra Bald Jones (below), Highland who received certifcates from ScotDance Canada, celebrating 50 years of teaching. We can only conclude that Mrs McMaster and Mrs Jones must have joined the SDTA when they were 5 years old. Highland branch members are therefore reminded that the minimum age for Highland Associate applicants is 16 years!

Ontario’s Katharine Robinson and her dancers made a visit to Scotland this summer, and they danced at Holyrood Palace! Katharine received a commemorative plate from the Equerry of Holyrood Palace. What a wonderful way to celebrate her 50th year with the SDTA!

We had exciting news from Canada in September about Highland examiner Sandra Bald Jones. The SDTA’s Mrs Jones was inducted into the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction! We were delighted to see such a loyal, hardworking and dedicated SDTA member being honoured in this way.

27 Highland

Canadian dance school Stave Falls Scottish Dancers closed in June, on the retirement of director and SDTA Life MemberCheryle Macdonald. The above photograph shows Cheryle on stage with her dancers at a dance recital in 1962. The school’s fnal recital was a wonderful celebration of Cheryle and the school, and included a performance from Cheryle’s granddaughter, Shelby, entitled ‘A Dance for Gran’.

Over a period of almost 60 years, Cheryle touched many lives, passing on her expertise and love of Highland dancing to hundreds of students. Cheryle’s commitment to her dancers, to Highland dancing and to the Alliance has been greatly appreciated. Congratulations, Cheryle, on all that you have achieved.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2018 SOBHD Oscars. The winners (shown from left to right) were: Olivia Waddell (Juvenile), Michelle Gordon (Senior) and Candice Walker (Adult).

28 DINGWALL WORKSHOP Our annual Dingwall workshop will take place Highland DINGWALL WORKSHOP on Sunday, 24th February, 2019 Our annual Dingwall workshop will take place at Dingwall Academy, IV15 9LT on Sunday, 24th February, 2019 The lectures will be conducted by Betty Sutherland and Lisa Ferrie. Fee for Dancers:at Dingwall £15 Fee Academy, for Non-SDTA IV15 9LT Teachers: £20 The lecturesSDTA will teachers be conducted can attend by Betty the event Sutherland free of chargeand Lisa Ferrie. FeeApplication for Dancers: forms £15 are Feeavailable for Non-SDTA on the SDTA Teachers: website. £20 SDTA Please teachers contact can Michelleattend the Scho eventfeld free for details:of charge Application [email protected] are available on the SDTA website. SDTA(ON) Please contact Highland Michelle Dance Scho Festivalfeld for details: Congratulations to all who competed at the SDTA [email protected] choreography festival, competitions and workshops in Lock City. Congratulations also to organiser Catherine MacLeod on creating such an inspiring and lively event. Many thanks to our adjudicator Ann Landry. The next SDTA(ON)SDTA(ON) event Highland will take Dance place Festival in Milton, Ontario Congratulationson Sunday, to all February who competed 3rd, 2019 at the SDTA choreographyat Bishop festival, Reding competitions Secondary School, and workshops L9T 6H7 in Lock City. PleaseCongratulations contact Jacqueline also toSmith organiser for details: Catherine [email protected] MacLeod on creating such anNATIONAL inspiring and DANCES lively event. DVD! Many thanksThe to SDTA our adjudicator are proud toAnn announce Landry. the release of our Scottish National Dances DVD, a The next SDTA(ON)companion event will take to our place Scottish in Milton, National Ontario Dances on Sunday,book. February The DVD 3 rd gives, 2019 demonstrations of: Scottish Lilt, Barracks Johnnie, The Dusty at Bishop RedingMiller ,Secondary Scotch Measure School, L9T, Highland 6H7 Laddie, Flora MacDonald’s Fancy, Blue Bonnets, The Please contact JacquelineEarl of Smith Errol ,for The details: Village [email protected] Maid, A Tribute to JL McKenzie and Hebridean Laddie. DVDs can be ordered from the SDTA ofce and are priced at £20 plus postage and packaging.

29 Some Upcoming Events Highland

Highland Branch Meeting & Lectures

Sunday, 27th January, 2019 at the Alona Hotel, Motherwell

More details to follow. Please stay tuned to the SDTA website and facebook page.

Central Scotland Championships & Highland Festival

Saturday, 9th March, 2019 at the Lagoon Centre, Paisley

Entry forms are available on the SDTA website.

Highland General Examinations

Sunday, 10th March, 2019 at the SDTA Studios, 101 Park Road, G4 9JE

Closing date for entries: Friday, 8th February, 2019

Sunday, 9th June, 2019 at the SDTA Studios, 101 Park Road, G4 9JE

Closing date for entries: Friday, 10th May, 2019

30 The Highland Branch are delighted to

introduce a new event to their calendar Highland for pupils of SDTA members. Our Highland Choreography Challenge will take place on Saturday, 26th January, 2019 in the Alona Hotel in Motherwell. This new event is open to highland dancers of all levels to compete in any or all of the following: four step Tribute to JL McKenzie, Solo/Duet Choreography (Scottish/Celtic theme), Solo/Duet Choreography (open theme) and six step Cakewalk (open theme). A Highland Adjudicator will award the overall places, and a second judge will award prizes for choreography, artistry and interpretation. After the event there will be the opportunity to indulge inmore dancing, with our President’s Burns Celebration! See page 5 to fnd out how to purchase a ticket for the Celebration. Entry forms for the Challenge are available from the SDTA website or can be emailed to you by requesting one from Lauren Meehan at [email protected]

Highland Branch Meeting

Glasgow May 2019 Branch Meeting (Date and time to be confirmed) At this meeting, we will be discussing SDTA and SOBHD nominations and propositions. Please check the SDTA website and facebook page regularly for updates.

Meeting and Lectures Saturday, 18th May, 2019 Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Dundee 10.30am to 1.30pm

Highland Branch Meeting

Friday, 23rd August, 2019 at the SDTA Studios, 101 Park Road, G4 9JE 6pm for 6.30pm

31 Highland A MESSAGE FROM THE HIGHLAND EXAMINERS

Scottish National Medal Tests

The current year’s Premiership Steps will be accepted instead of syllabus steps, as long as the syllabus steps can be demonstrated.

The demonstration does not need to be danced to music, and it will be at the Examiner’s discretion whether the whole step or part of the step should be demonstrated.

Please note that only the 2018 edition of the SDTA’s Scottish National dances textbook can be used for SDTA Scottish National examinations.

ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO 2019

Applications for the Tattoo Dance Company 2019 are now available from the SDTA website.

CODE OF ETHICS

Dancers are requested to observe the SOBHD Code of Ethics. In particular, dancers are reminded to dress appropriately and modestly at all times. Teachers should ensure that this information is communicated to all pupils and adhered to at all events.

The 2019 Teachers’ Code of Ethics must be signed and received in the SOBHD office prior to 2019 dancer registration cards being issued.

32 Highland

2019 CHAMPIONSHIP/PREMIERSHIP STEPS Any member who wishes to have a copy of the 2019 Championship and/or Premiership Steps, with the SOBHD Technical committee ob- servations, can access them from the downloads area of the SOBHD website – www.SOBHD.net

NATIONAL DANCES DVD!

The SDTA are proud to announce the release of our Scottish National Dances DVD, a companion to our Scottish National Dances book. The DVD gives demonstrations of: Scottish Lilt, Barracks Johnnie, The Dusty Miller, Scotch Measure, Highland Laddie, Flora MacDonald’s Fancy, Blue Bonnets, The Earl of Errol, The Village Maid, A Tribute to JL McKenzie and Hebridean Laddie. DVDs can be ordered from the SDTA ofce and are priced at £20 plus postage and packaging

33 Memory Lane – Alex S. Warren OBE By Jack Reavely

Alex Warren had a background simply steeped in dance, and it was the same with his family. They co-owned a very famous ballroom in the centre of Glasgow called the Albert, and their quest was to ensure good behaviour and fabulous dancing, both of which aims were accomplished. Because of the terrifc interest they had in dance, there was also incorporated into the premises a downstairs dance studio, where many thousands over the years took their frst steps into being dancers of capability. Alex was a fearsome fellow at times, which in fact hid a very benign gentleman, who cloaked his personal feelings in the transmission of extreme academic interest. Alex was in a very elevated position in Glasgow, having been awarded the great honour of OBE in the Queen’s announcement of selected persons. In addition to that great honour, he was also a Justice of the Peace in Glasgow. He also had the task of Deputy Lieutenant, which meant that when royalty visited Glasgow he was at the forefront of preparations. On one great occasion within the Locarno Ballroom in Sauchiehall Street, the World 10 Dance Championship was held and Princess Margaret was in attendance. Our Alex was in the entrance hall of the beautiful ballroom, resplendently decorated for the occasion, and he greeted the Princess and introduced her to some of the dancing attenders who were there, including Bill and Bobbie Irvine, who later received the MBE in the Honours List. Bill was invited by the Princess to take to the floor with her, and it was terrifc to see him, using his highly-honed leading skills to ensure he made her feel comfortable and without strain. It was a great evening, with a sumptuous dinner thrown in too. Great days indeed.

34 At the Albert there were very many competitions held, and those couples from Edinburgh usually booked a private bus to transport them to Glasgow for the events. Competitions and championships galore; always with a top-class demonstration, and the demonstrators always judged too, in addition to one other judge from Scotland. Sometimes in major events there were fve adjudicators. Alex would be seen at these events waiting impatiently at the entrance door, and when the bus from Edinburgh arrived, he made everyone scurry hurriedly to the changing rooms by saying, “Come on now, you Edinburgh lot – get ready instantly! You have fve minutes before the frst round commences!” The hurry-scurry downstairs which followed was mindboggling, with men already wearing tail trousers, shirts, collars and bow ties by anticipating Alex’s fond welcome. The ballroom had a balcony at one end, and in this balcony, refreshments were served and alleviated thirst and hunger. I so remember the very frst time my wife Anne and I did well at a major championship there. I laid out half a crown (12½ pence) for an ice cream knickerbocker glory. We shared it with a spoon each, as a celebration of our success. As we got to know Alex very well, it was simply astounding when we delved into his background in dance, and the reason for his fervour became obvious. You see, he was a fanatical dancer and also a competitor who was so good, that he reached the grand fnals of the Blackpool Major Championships in the Empress Ballroom and his name is fxed within the history of dance as simply an ultra-icon of dance. Alex was such an important part of the world of dance that he was invited by the Blackpool Festival organisers to be employed by them as compere and leader of dances within the famed Ballroom. It was a chance too good to turn down, and Alex travelled to Blackpool. His very strong physique, coupled to a commanding voice, made him not only a wondrous commentator for the dancers but also endeared himself to all because of his great expertise in showing new dances, and his skills were augmented indeed by the time he spent there. During that time, he teamed up with his wife Nellie, who was also a dancer of supreme keenness. It is like a bug which resists all attempts of kill-offs, and lives on and on, forever and a day. Eventually, of course, Alex returned to Glasgow to continue running the Ballroom, and his brother John and sister Anne were always there assisting, because of their keen interest.

35 Alex eventually became the most prestigious man in dance, because he was appointed as Chairman of Judges and compere at the Blackpool Dance Festival, which was then, and still is, world-famed, and attracts entries from all over the world. As a compere, Alex could halt over conversational hubbub in the ballroom by merely saying, “Ladies…ladies and gentlemen.” His voice carried the confdence and authoritative aspects so necessary for this task of such enormity. Under his guidance, the Festival grew and grew, and he had a marvellous relationship with Madam Ida Ilett, who for many years, during his tenure, was the organiser of the Festival, and she relied on Alex for advice and backup, which he supplied impeccably. As years went by, Alex let it be known that he was not all enamoured with the display of Quicksteps when he returned to dance after the Second World War. At that time another gentleman was chairman and compere, but Alex was judging the entire festival almost every year and he made his views known forcibly. In professional events he saw lots of talent, but he reckoned that it was moving away from the manner of ballroom dance that had allowed the British style to remain at the top level. He thought a theatrical approach had encroached and was diluting the dances. Famed Josephine Bradley, whom Alex christened “The Queen of Ballroom”, said that couples from outside the UK would be able to beat the British couples if they adopted the theatricalities, and these were, in her expert opinion, simply not acceptable. Alex reckoned that the quickstep in 1946 could be made to look as if it was a combination of the polka, the highland fling and an Apache dance. He simply deplored it and said so more than forcibly, as was his honesty of thought. Alex then said that he would simply not mark couples who did not meet the criteria of the protection of elegance and suave dance performance which had made the British couples so very eminent, worldwide. He said he would never mark couples if they produced freakish actions which crossed the line of decorum. As a punching comment straight from the lip, he said that it was up to the judges to lay down the law. Couples would then quickly come to terms with the realisation that their fondly imagined but unacceptable items would be losing them marks, so a stop was made within the realisation that dance was meant to be artistic and not sportive. Alex said that the standard would improve considerably if couples adhered to his

36 requirements. Don’t you fnd yourself warming to this great man of dance? Fearless, coupled to an expert in dance, and simply unafraid to bring his ferce, protective attitude to the attention of others. In today’s environment of dance, the very same criticism is levelled at competitors but, at high world-class level, the creation of classic dance still depends on the acquisition of function below the centre of gravity, while the mechanics of dance, so very wisely created by our great Pioneers such as Josephine Bradley, depend on an understanding of how to blend disguised athleticism with an understanding of how to ensure that the fnal result is that human structures convey the sheer and utter beauty of dance, which is free of ugly distortion. With his wife Nellie, Alex had danced most successfully in Championships in London, and all over the UK, including the World Championships too. Most unfortunately, Nellie became ill, and Alex had to fnd another lady to dance with. Only a week prior to the fnals, he met Celia Bristow, a young lady known as a superb exponent. Alex reckoned she was the very best lady dancer he had ever seen or danced with. He won with her the very frst Scottish Open Professional Championships, and in the fabulous Star Championships in London they flew into 4th place, which was a feat of sheer magnifcence. For some years, after his placing at the Star, Alex became very frustrated, as he couldn’t make further inroads but kept repeating 4th place. Alex then danced with some different ladies and also at the British Open in Blackpool, where he came 3rd in 1930 and then with Betty McGregor in 1931 and 1932. He was one of the frst dancers to travel all over the UK, demonstrating frst with Betty McGregor and then with Adele Roscoe. He got fed up with all the travelling, and it was back to Glasgow for him, to once again concentrate on the Albert along with his brother John. It was inevitable that his great talents were recognised, and he became Chairman of the Ofcial Board of Ballroom Dancing, as well as Chairman and Compere at Blackpool, and he supported dance by running the events in the Albert Ballroom. He didn’t like events that felt as if they were foregone conclusions, as they, for him, killed enthusiasm. Make no mistake: the dance world has been very lucky over the years, because Alex, and those like him, gave their talents and,

37 through their own ferocious fervour, encouraged everyone who loved dance. Thank you so much, Alex S. Warren OBE JP DL (posthumously, unfortunately). Jack Reavely In the next issue, learn more about Alex Warren – and the creation of the SDTA!

In Loving Memory

With great regret but fond memories, the Alliance said goodbye to the following members in 2018:

Loree Martin Vellner (Highland Branch) Joan Murray (Highland Branch) Isobel St. John (Highland Branch) Iain MacDonald, (Highland Branch)

38 SDTA Diary 2019 – So Far! January 26th Highland Choreography Challenge Motherwell 26th President’s Burns Celebration Motherwell 27th Various Lectures & Meetings Motherwell February 3rd Ballet & Theatre Lectures and Meetings 101 Park Rd 3rd SDTA (ON) Highland Dance Festival Ontario 16th World Cabaret Performer Heat Dumbarton 24th Ballet and Theatre General Examinations 101 Park Rd 24th Dingwall Workshop Dingwall March 3rd SDTA Extraordinary General Meeting 101 Park Rd 3rd Ballroom Branch Meeting 101 Park Rd 9th Central Scotland Championships Paisley 10th Highland General Examinations 101 Park Rd 17th Attitude Dance Competition Ravenscraig April 28th Ballroom Branch Meeting Dalgety Bay 28th Ballet & Theatre Scholarships 101 Park Rd May TBC Glasgow Highland Branch Meeting 101 Park Rd 12th Ballet & Theatre Dance Challenge 101 Park Rd 18th East Coast Highland Branch Meeting Dundee June 2nd Ballet and Theatre General Examinations 101 Park Rd 9th Highland General Examinations 101 Park Rd August 23rd Highland Branch Meeting 101 Park Rd September 8th SDTA Annual General Meeting 101 Park Rd 8th Ballroom Branch Meeting 101 Park Rd October 6th Ballet & Theatre Lectures and Meetings 101 Park Rd TBC NA Scholarships & Conference Seattle 11th – 19th Stage Festival and Championships Dumbarton TBC Highland Branch Meeting 101 Park Rd November 2nd SDTA Premierships and Highland Festival Ravenscraig 2nd Ballroom Branch Meeting & Dinner 101 Park Rd 9th & 10th UK & European Highland Scholarships and Day of Dance Motherwell December 1st Ballet & Theatre General Examinations 101 Park Rd 8th Highland General Examinations 101 Park Rd