Large Dancing Classes Judged In Competitions

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30846, 3 September 1965, Page 16

Large Dancing Classes Judged In Competitions

The Ashburton Returned Services Association’s concert hall and the Radiant Hall were scenes of feverish activity yesterday as scores of young competitors prepared for the 23 dancing and allied classes on the fourth day of the Ashburton Competitions Society’s annual festival.

The time taken by parents in preparing the children for their classes was evident in the colourful costumes, which were of a high standard, and gave authenticity to the performances. The dancing classes are the largest in the competitions, some having more than 30 entries.

The judge of the national dancing events, Mrs J. Thomas of Dunedin, said the standard was very high in all classes. The winner of the sword dance, under 12. Leanne Downey {Auckland) gave a very pleasing performance with good interpretation and strong movements. The highland fling, under 10, which was won by Paulette Reid (Christchurch), brought to light some ex ellent dancing for this age group.

The judge of the tap dancing classes, Mrs F. Clarke of Dunedin, also praised the standard achieved in these events. She said it was evident that tap dancing was very strong in the district, and the large numbers competing in the events was most encouraging. There were some very promising dancers in the classes for younger children, especially in the 10 to 12 year age group, Mrs Clarke said. Stephanie Lackner, aged five, of Methven, delig'ried patrons by winning the vocal solo, light popular song, for children under 14 years. Undeterred at competing in such a high age group, she sang most naturally and gave a very assured performance. Further results (competitors being from Ashburton unless otherwise stated) were: Vocal And Instrumental Vocal Solo, 14 and under 16. Traditional song (final): Dianne Speck (Chch.) 1. Piano Solo, 14 and Under 16 (any Bach selection).—Lynette Moore (Chch.) I. Solo, Ladies, Any Voice (final). —Miss Joan Archer 1. Vocal Solo, With Any Instru ment as Accompaniment, open ; (final).—Mr Douglas Hamilton ; (Chch.) 1 Sacred Solo. Not Oratorio, 14 and under 16—Dianne Speck (Chch.) 1. Action Song, under 14.—Peter Murray (Chch.) 1, Phillipa Sheehan (Oamaru) 2. Faye Eaglesten (Chch,) and Lindsay McKerrow (Chch.) (equal) 3.

Solo, under 12 (Ashburton County competitors).—Sheryle King 1.

Vocal Solo, 12 and under 14. Marie Mullins (Chch) 1, Judith Dalton 2.

Sacred Solo, Not Oratorio. Under 12.—Phillipa Sheehan (Chch.) 1, lan McKerrow (Chch.) 2, Christine Larcombe (Chch.) 3.

Piano Solo, 16 and over Wayne Dailey 1. Dancing

Classical Ballet, under 12 (final).—lrina Kalnins School of Ballet A 1.

Sailor's Hornpipe, open, any age (final).—Brian North (Chch.) 1. Leta Herron (Oamaru) 2

Tap Dance, boys, open, any age (final). —Warren Matthews (Chch.) 1, Leon Smith 2. Gavin Douglas 3.

Song And Dance, 12 years ano over (final).—Jeanette Luke (Chch ) 1. Barbara Hollamby 2. Irish Hornpipe, any age (final). —Brian North (Chch.) I, Mary Lemon (Dunedin) 2, Lynne Esplin (Chch.) 3. Irish jig, open, any age (final): Brian North, Christchurch) 1, Mary Lemon (Dun edin) 2. Lynne Esplin (Christchurch) 3.

Highland Bing, under 12: Lyn ley Brown (Christchurch) 1. Annette Dugan (Christchurch) 2. Heather Walker (Invercargill) 3. Tap dance. 8 years: Debra Hopkins 1. Marianpe Jemmett (Christchurch) 2. Voyna Stanley (Christchurch) and Penelope Thomson (Christchurch) (equal) 3

Classical ballet, 10 and under 12: Leanne Downie (Auckland) 2, Glenda Hampton 3. Irish jig, under 8: Lorraine Barr (Christchurch) 1. Judith MacKenzie 2. Lynette Bradley (Pareora) 3.

Classical ballet, 12 and over 14: Barbara Hollamby (Timaru) 1, Cheryl Dyer (Christchurch) 2 Irish jig, under 16: Juditn Marks (Christchurch) 1, Lorraine Dewar (Tlmaru) 2, lola Smith (Timaru) 3.

Irish jig. under 10: Sandra Hornai (Oamaru) 1. Vovan Stan ley (Christchurch) 2. Raewyn Chilton (Wyndham) 3. Clog dance, waltz, Lancashire or Melbourne. 12 and under 14: Sharon Smith (Oamaru) 1. Pamela Zwles (Oamaru) 2. Tap duo, under 12: Patricia and Leanne Downie (Auckland) 1, Lynda Wolfreys and Karen Keen 2. Anne Paterson and Michael O'Connor 3 Art Of Speech Character recital, humorous. 14 and over (final): Linda Spicer Recitation test, boys, 10 and under 12: Peter Bell 1. Character duo, under 16 (final): Paulette Reid and Penelope Thomson (Christchurch) 1

Recitation, N.Z. author, 8 and under 10 (Ashburton Countv competitors): Marie Kenny i Darrell Thrupp and Toni Pollard (equal) 2, Diane Binsted and Lindsay Curd (equal) 3. Extract from Shakespeare, 14 and over: sharyn McCrea 1. Recitation, N.Z. author, under 8 (Ashburton County competitors): Clare McGuigan 1, Camilla Morrow 2, Robert Read 3.

Recitation. 14 and over: Linda Spicer 1.

Recitation, boys. 12 and under 14: Ashley Tucker (Christchurch) 1. Character recital, non-humor-ous, 12 and under 14: Cherie MeCleery (Timaru) 1, Karen Chalmers (Christchurch) 2.

Recitation test, girls, 8 and over 10: Micheli* Devereux 1, Jeanne Flaherty 2, Alexis Hurley and Marie Kenny (equal) 3.