Ballet highlights continuing into 2008

In July 2007 our ballet exam results were excellent with all pupils doing well, achieving 39 As; 62 Bs; and 5 Cs.

Also in July some pupils attended the Cecchetti Day at the Royal Ballet School Covent Garden Lindbury Theatre. Cecchetti Scholar Gina Jamieson; Associates Emilia Gasiorek and Lily Rogers; and Southern Region Winner Lower Middles Amber Rozio. All had the opportunity to perform in front of many prestigious teachers on this exciting day.

Our boys attended a boy’s workshop at Dance Attic in November with ENB soloist and teacher Paul Lewis and teacher of 2nd year boys at Central School. It was an exciting afternoon of challenging class work. The solo part of Dr Copelias, was taught with humour and a chance for the boys to show their acting skills!

14 Children took part in the Cecchetti Southern Area Awards 2007 with 11 in the Primary Heats and 5 who got into the finals as follows:
Winner Lower Middle: Amber Rozario
Runner Up: Helen Ratcliff
Commended: Joseph Chan
Special Mention Upper Middle: Emma Dixon
Special Mention Senior: Katherine Parsons

We had a bumper year of successes in the Cecchetti Choreographic Competition in December. The Beacon Arts gained 22 awards out of 35 entries, including 17 Commendations for music and dance. 4 Runner’s Up; 5 Winners out of the three sections: Junior, Middles and Seniors.

Also, 3 trophies were won: the Barbara Geoghegen Cup for overall originality duet for the second year running by Alex Regan and Lauren Waller (also winners of duets); the Laura Payne Cup for overall originality for a solo by Emelia Gasiorek (also winner of the senior solo); and the Richard Glassdon Trophy for over all originality by Gina Jamieson (winner of Middles Group). This is the third time the Beacon Arts has been awarded this coverted trophy.

Cecchetti CD Grades: Alex Regan has been chosen for the Grade 2 work.

In the Mabel Ryan Competition Emelia Gasiorek was Commended twice for both her work and the Vacanie Award for the joy of dance.

At the London Junior Mabel Ryan in March 2008, the under 10 section was won by Lucy Downing and she was also Commended for her performance. Gemma Bovil was Commended overall.
In the under 13 section, Alex Regan was Commended overall and Maria Kypreos Commended for performance.

In March 2008 the Southern Area Awards were held at The Barn Southwick. The following pupils gained recognition:

Jade Rozario Winner Upper Middles
Helena Ratcliff Commended Upper Middles
Lucy Walmsley Commended Upper Middles
Beth Twine Commended Lower Middles

Tom Conlan is in his final year at Central School. He has started his Graduation tour around the country with choreography by some of the leading choreographers such as Matthew Bourne. On 19th April, many Beacon Arts pupils, friends and family enjoyed a spectacular performance at The Hawth, Crawley.
Tom performed Christopher Gables's 'Cinderella' pas de duex and Phillip Aiden’s 'Do You Want To'. He danced with incredible maturity and inspiration.

During May 2008 it was announced that two girls have been accepted into the National Youth Ballet. Congratulations and well done to Alex Regan, Junior National Youth Ballet and Emelia Gasiorek, Senior National Youth Ballet.

Notification came through in June 2008 to say that Jake Bone, Joseph Chan, Gemma Bovil, Lucy Downing, Alex Regan, Lauren Waller and Lily Rogers have all been accepted as Cecchetti Associates for 2008/9. Congratulations!

All these events are extremely proud moments for the Beacon Arts. Very well done to all those mentioned above.

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