Coppelia.

Fourteen pupils from Cumbria Dance were asked to perform with The European Ballet Company in their production of Coppelia, at The Buccleuch Centre, Langholm on 18th October 2011. It was a very special experience for them to dance with a Professional Ballet Company. They all had a fantastic time

More Tapthon Photograhs

Children In Need Tapathon 2011

Well done everyone who took part in the Tapathon on Sunday 16th October 2011. A total of £558 was raised for Children In Need!!

(More photos to follow)

Summer letter July 2011

Last classes for this term are on TUESDAY 19th JULY 2011

It has been another highly successful year for Cumbria Dance with some very impressive exam and medal results in Ballet, Modern, Tap and Drama. The production of ‘101 Dalmatians’ performed by our Junior and Senior Drama Groups in February was enjoyed by both audience and performers alike. You can read a review of the production on our website.

Winnie The Pooh
If you would like to join our Junior or Senior Drama Groups and be a part of the above production, please see Debbie ASAP

Dance Workshops
Ever fancied learning something new? We will be offering a series of Dance Workshops throughout the year for both adults and children. This will start with the Tapathon on Sunday 16th October (see below for more details). November will be limbering and stretching and December…wait for it….A Strictly Come Dancing workshop!!!!. Look out in the new term for more details.

Tapathon for Children in Need
We will be hosting a Tapathon on Sunday 16th October. This is a nationwide event that aims to create a record for most people tapping at the same time. The cost is £10. This includes a commemorative T-shirt. All monies go to the BBC Children in Need fund. You do not need to know how to tap as tuition will be given on ‘the day’

Success Stories
We are pleased to announce that several of our pupils have had their own success stories. Laura Croucher appeared in The Youth England Ballet Company, Kerri Canham has been accepted as a Junior Associate of the prestigious Hammond Dance School in Chester, Lydia Rigby and Molly Giles gained places in The Cumbria Youth Dance Company and Jayne Fullerton will be leaving us to study Dance at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Show
Advanced warning!! We will be performing at The Sands Centre on Sunday 24th June 2012

Hope you have a great Summer,

Debbie and Rachel

BTDA Examinations and Medal Tests

A Big 'Well Done' to all pupils who took part in Modern Theatre Dance Examinations and Medal Tests on Sunday 19th June 2011.
The results were as expected, 'Fantastic'!!!!

Spring Newsletter

Ballet Examinations
Sunday 3rd April 2011 and late June/early July 2011
Modern and Tap Examinations and Medal Tests
Sunday 19th June 2011

Open Week
From Monday 4th April to Saturday 9th April 2011, we will be holding an open week. Parents and pupils will be welcome to come and watch any of our classes. Perhaps younger children would like to see some of the older pupils dance

Sharing
We are planning a Sharing on Saturday 16th July 2011. This is a morning where all the Saturday children come together to show each other and their parents some of their work. Times will be announced later.

Uniform and Hair
We are becoming increasingly concerned as pupils are coming to class in incorrect clothing. We have a uniform for the simple reason that this promotes safe dance practice, and it is compulsory for exams. With the exception of new pupils, all children from Primary classes upwards should be in the correct uniform with hair tied back, and in a bun or similar for ballet pupils from Grade 1 upwards.

Waiting List.
We have an ever-increasing waiting list for pre-school, Reception and Year 1 pupils. If there are younger siblings or friends who may be interested in joining us it is worth putting their names down well in advance!

101 Dalmatians review

Cumbria Dance Drama Group Production
101 Dalmatians, West Walls, Carlisle
Photograph and review by Michelle Jackson

There was an expectant hush as the curtain went back to reveal Missus (Molly Giles) sitting centre stage, would this colourful adaptation of 101 Dalmatians prove to be as entertaining as the very popular Disney version.
The audience were not disappointed. Every member of the cast played their parts to perfection, from the very young members of the junior group to older members of the senior group.
The dramatic monochrome scenery and costumes only intensified the excellent acting skills of all the children.
Cumbria Dance Drama Groups principal, Debbie Marper, proved once again what a talented tutor, director and choreographer she is.
The rapport played out between Missus and Pongo (Richard Gibbon) as the expectant parents was delightful, particularly with their contempt and love for their pets Mr & Mrs Dearly (Harry Wharam and Izzy Clark).
Richard’s portrayal of a nervous expectant father and then the proud new father was sure to have struck a cord with many of the parents in the audience.
The strong talent of Bethany Mason as she played the enormous character of Cruella de Ville was obvious as was her dislike of anything not to her taste. This was most obvious when it came to her Badduns and house servants.
The bumbling Jasper and Saul Baddun (Beth Giles and Joseph Jackson) were an unlikely pair of criminals but their antics proved to be very comical for the watching audience.
In fact the audience were taken through a whole series of emotions as the play wound its way through Dodie Smiths epic tale. From tears of laughter at the antics of the Badduns and the puppies to tears of joy when all the dogs had been returned safely home.
Any member of Friday or Saturday nights audience will agree that every child had obviously spent a lot of time and effort not only learning their lines but also understanding their characters role.
Those children who played more than one role also deserve a special mention, as the play flowed seamlessly along with no pregnant pauses whilst costumes were changed and new characters introduced.
Cumbria Dance Drama Group should be very proud of themselves and deservedly so, every child’s performance was fabulous and I’m sure everyone of the cast and their families will now be eagerly waiting for details of and looking forward to next year’s production.