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NEW!!!!!!! 2007 Class Schedule
Mondays - Burke, VA
* 2:30-3:30pm - Piping
* 3:30-4:30pm - Level One & Two
* 4:30-5:30pm - Primary
* 5:30-7:00pm - Levels Five & Six
* 7:00-8:00pm - Levels Three & Four
* 8:00-9:00pm - Adult
Tuesdays - Burke, VA
* 4:30-5:30pm - Piping
* 5:30-6:30pm - Piping
* 6:30-7:30pm - Levels One & Two
* 7:30-8:30pm - Theory & Technique
Wednesdays - Burke, VA
* 4:00-5:00pm - Piping
* 5:00-6:00pm - Levels One & Two
* 6:00-7:00pm - Piping
* 7:00-8:00pm - Levels Three & Four
* 8:00-9:00pm - Levels Five & Six
Thursdays - Springfield, VA & Lusby, MD
Springfield
*12:30-1:30pm - Levels Two - Four
*1:30-2:30pm - Piping
Lusby
* 5:00-5:30pm - Level One
* 5:30-6:30pm - Levels Two & Three
* 6:30-7:30pm - Levels Four & Five
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General Info for Parents
In the right-hand column of the event list you will see the "category" for the event (Competition, Performance, Workshop, Medal Tests). For new dance moms let me explain:
Performances:
Dancers are invited to perform with our group when I feel they are ready. I will let you know in advance what their costume needs are and how to go about aquiring an outfit.
Competitions:
How do competitions work?
Highland Dance competitions can be found not only in Scotland, but
across the United States, Canada, New Zealand and even Australia.
There are 5 levels, and these are then broken down into age groups
according to the number of entries at each competition. The levels of
competition start with Primary - a special category for dancers under
the age of 7. At the age of 7 or older, dancers start in Beginners
and then move up through Novice, Intermediate and then finally to
Premier.
When a dancer starts competing in Beginners they must receive 6
stamps at different competitions before they are in Novice. A stamp
is received when the dancer places 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at a games. Only
one stamp may be given at each competition - therefore, if a dancer
places with two firsts and a second they will only get one stamp on
the back of their card. Likewise, if they only get one third place,
they will also get a stamp. If a dancer gets a fourth and a fifth,
they do NOT get a stamp.
The same process is used to go from Novice to Intermediate. Once a
dancer gets to the Intermediate level they automatically become a
Premier a year from their first competition in Intermediate. The
Competition "season" runs from about April through the end of October.
A dancer usually competes in about four dances at each competition.
The dances are chosen by the organizers of the games and are listed
on the entry forms. Each dance is judged individually with usually 3
dancers dancing on stage together for one judge. A judge's decision
is always final and may not ever be questioned. We must remember that
competitions are very subjective and that it is only one person's
opinion on one day. Each judge has their own characteristics they are
looking for and these are impossible to know for each individual.
Contestants are judged within three main categories - Technique,
Timing, and Deportment.
Competitions can be an exciting and rewarding part of Highland
Dancing when approached with a healthy attitude by the dancer,
teacher and parents.
When may I/my child compete?
Anyone may compete once the dancer and the teacher feels you are
ready. As a general rule, I like my dancers to be able to dance what
I consider the 5 "basic" dances before entering into Beginners.
These 5 dances are: The Highland Fling, The Sword Dance, The Seann
Triubhas, The Scottish Lilt, and The Flora MacDonald's Fancy.
Generally 4 of these are danced at each competition - the dances are
chosen by whoever organizes each competition and are listed on the
individual entry forms. Primaries (those age 6 and under) may enter a
competition any time the dancer feels comfortable.
Each dancer must have the appropriate costume(s) for the dances they
will perform. When first getting started, 2 costumes are necessary.
One for the Highland dances, and one for the National dances.
Guidelines for these costumes may be found on the FUSTA website.
How do I/my child register for competition?
On order to compete, each dancer must be a member of a US
organization called FUSTA. FUSTA regulates Highland Dance in the US
in accordance with the rules of the world-wide governing
organization, The Scottish Official Board of Highland Dance (SOBHD).
To register with FUSTA:
1) go to FUSTA's website: www.fusta.us
2) read their guidlines regarding competitions
3) download and print the registration form for your region
(if you live in VA you are in the South East
and if you live in MD or DC you are in the Eastern Region)
4) fill it out, including the photo and check
(if you have any questions, leave that part blank for the moment)
5) bring the completed form to me to sign and help with any questions
6) mail it to the appropriate registrar
7) in 3-4 weeks you should receive your new card in the mail
This card only ALLOWS you to compete. AND YOU MUST BRING IT WITH YOU
TO EVERY COMPETITION. It does not sign you up for the individual
competitions.
Also on the FUSTA website, you will find a complete list of Highland
Dance competitions in the United States. You will also find local
(within a 2 hour radius of me) competitions listed on the events page
on our website as well. To enter a competition, you must obtain an
entry form, fill it out and send it in by the deadline. Contacts to
get the entries can often be found on the event list for FUSTA, some
times I have extra copies, and some you can pick up at various dance
events.
Workshops:
Workshops are intensive dance classes generally lasting all day. Again these are entered individually. Workshops are put on by various organizations and the instructors vary at each.I think they are a wonderful opportunity to have someone else critique your dancing and to try new steps and dances. I require my dancers to be able to dance the five basic dances before attending.
In August I hold my own 1/2 day week-long workshop. Classes are held daily for 3 hours each day. Let me know if you are interested as the spots sometimes fill up quick!
Medal Tests:
Medal Tests are held annually. An Examiner critiques your dances and "grades you". Grades are: Fail, Pass, Pass Plus, Commended and Highly Commended. Like competition, there are different levels to go up each year. Unlike competition - you are not compared to the other dancers dancing with you, rather your grade is based on a world-wide standard for the level you are testing at. There are separate exams for the Highland dances, the National Dances, the Irish Jig, the Sailor's Hornpipe and for theory. Your levels may not be the same in each category.Upon passing your grade - you receive a certificate and medal from Scotland and a written critique of each dance from the Examiner. This is an extremely worthwhile event.
If you have any questions regarding the above information, please let me know.
Thanks,
Susan W. Hyams, Director
The Thistle Dancers
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Directions to Class
As listed on the Contact Page
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Sell Advertisements for SS2007
“Something Scottish 2007”
When: Saturday, March 10th ~ 3-5pm
Where: The George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, VA
Why: To raise money for our dance school
Cost of Tickets: Advance Tickets are $15 for adults & $12 for children 12 and under
Tickets at the door are $20 for adults & $15 for children
They are on sale now!! We have 352 seats to fill.
Advertise in our program:
$100 for a Full Page – 8”x5”
$60 for a Half Page – 4”x5”
$35 for a ? Page – 2”x3.5”
Inside and back covers are $200 each
Please provide hard copy for the ad size you are purchasing.
Checks should be made out to “Susan Hyams” and in the memo spot write “for SS2007 ad”
Only those ads paid in full will be included in the program.
All copy for ads MUST be turned in by Friday, February 23.
Please call Susan at (703) 913-6143 with any questions.
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Delco Workshop
for information and registration forms for the Delco Workshop in PA go to: www.delcoworkshop.com
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