The Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing

• The 70th Anniversary Summer Dance Camp, held in Melbourne from 13th to 18th January was attended by students from all over Australia as well as from Asia. For six days the LaTrobe University campus echoed with the sounds of everything from pounding jazz rhythms, tapping feet and musical theatre medleys to the strains of classical ballet music and Russian peasant dances. Four dance schools in Singapore and Malaysia were among those joining, including teachers who also participated in some of the senior classes.

A presentation of the week's work was held on the final day with the group from Singapore performing the opening jazz-funk item and one of the Chinese groups staging the closing classical ballet item. In her welcoming speech the Organiser, Mrs Sharon Alback referred to the international aspect of the event, giving as an example the Russian peasant dance which was performed by Australian and Chinese students wearing skirts loaned by the Singapore students! A number of male students were to be spotted in all levels - and in all styles of dance.
The excellent faculty included former and current professional dancers from Australian Ballet (David Prudham), Sydney Dance Co (Sharon Prudham), Tapdogs (Andrew Kaluski), Singin' in the Rain (Natalya Bobenko), Circus Oz etc, as well as the Victorian College of the Arts drama faculty. A big thank you to all the teachers and the Australian organisers, examiners and teachers who worked so hard to put the event together. A fitting opening to the 70th Anniversary year of the CSTD!

 

• The 7th Singapore Summer School will be held from 2nd-7th June, 2003, and we are pleased to announce that it will be organised this year in conjunction with the People's Association. As well as the regular venues in central locations, there will be classes at various Community Centre/Club studios in the East Coast area. The Summer School will consist as usual of six Levels from Grade 1 to Majors and all classes will be non-curriculum.

Fees, which remain the same as 2002, are as follows:

Level 1: $175 ($158)*	Level 2: $210 ($189)	Level 3: $210 ($189)
Level 4: $285 ($257)	Level 5: $285 ($257)	Level 6: $375 ($338)

* reduced fee for 2002 participants

Classes will be conducted in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, National, Repertoire, Pointe, etc, with all students participating in a performance on 7th June entitled "A Celebration of Dance." Summer School Scholarships will be awarded to outstanding students in Levels 1 to 4, while winners in two categories (under-15 and 15-&-over) will receive scholarships to take part in the Perth Theatrical Festival.
A Teacher's Seminar will be held during the week prior to the Summer School, covering the requirements of the Classical Teaching Certificate in terms of Syllabus, Teaching methods, Music for dance, Safe dance and related areas. There will also be sessions on National-Character and an introduction to the new Jazz Ballet Syllabus, for those enrolled in the Seminar.

• The 5th CSTD Asia-Pacific Dance Competition will take place in Singapore on 19th and 20th July, 2003. Categories are Classical, Neo Classical, Modern/Jazz, Tap, National-Character & Demi Character, with sections for solos, duos and trios and Groups in any style. Age Groups will be as follows: 1) Under 9; 2) Under 12; 3) Under 15; 4) Open. The Competition was founded so that students from the region may come together to perform in the spirit of friendly competition, to learn from each other and to share in the love of dance.
  Students from Singapore, Philippines and Sri Lanka participated in last year's event, and we look forward to welcoming students from throughout the region this year. The Competition is based on the Perth Theatrical Festival, which has been staged every July for over 20 years. Participants now number close to 4000, with this year's event being held from 7th to 17th July.