US Congress 2011
- Text by Hazel Fletcher
- Photos by Ron Self
The BDFI International Congress took place on the first afternoon of the four day Embassy Dancesport Championship in the Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Irvine, California in a break between the competitive events. Four thirty minute lectures from four special Ladies, all former Champions, was the format for a most informative and enjoyable two hours. Before I report on each lecture I will give a brief profile of each lecturer’s history and credits.
First on was NICOLA NORDIN from the United Kingdom who began dancing at the age of nine. The first major competition she attended as a spectator was the British ‘Open’ Championship in Blackpool in 1977; this stimulated and excited her into wanting to compete. She danced in her first major competition at the International Championships as a Junior with Gary Edwards, and then competed through all the ranks for twenty-six years with three more partners, Chris Johnson, Paul Killick and Göran Nordin. Nicola became Champion in many events which included USBC Amateur Latin, Italian Open and the British National in Youth, Amateur and Professional. When she retired from competing at the age of thirty-five in 2001 it was as a reigning United Kingdom and British Professional ‘National’ Latin Champion.
The title of her lecture was ‘THE JUDGES’ POINT OF VIEW’. Nicola shared some of her experiences both as a competitor and a judge from her own perspective and from that experience offered her knowledge in how to help competitors not repeat her mistakes! Nicola pointed out that judges have a split second to assess each couple and if that happens to be a bad part of a competitor’s routine there is often no second chance. She feels that most dancers are not always clear enough through their dance movements and character as to what their intention is. Every piece of choreography should have its definitive individual meaning of portrayal, and every second counts. Al l couples should, along with their coach, experiment to find a theme, to encourage individuality and clarity. Nicola then introduced Chris Johnson, her former Amateur partner, to demonstrate some basic choreography in Cha Cha, firstly in a simple form and then with the inclusion of dynamics of energy and speed changes to offer an alternative interest as she feels too many couples waste their energies on just giving full power constantly. The point of her summary is “there is no right or wrong - it is the choices you make together in order for the judge to understand the meaning.”
The second lecture was presented by TONI REDPATH. She grew up in Australia and started dancing at the age of nine, being trained by her coach and later stepfather, Ray Rivers. Toni danced originally with Paul Richardson and later in Norway with Jan Tore Jacobsen. Her credits include final appearances the movie ‘Shall We Dance.’ She was also a featured dancer in ‘Dance With Me.’ Toni is coach to current Rising Star and Open US and World Smooth Champions. Toni now resides permanently in San Diego, California.
Toni’s lecture was entitled ‘THE DNA OF SWING DANCING’. For those readers who have never witnessed ‘Smooth’ I will explain. It is a form of Ballroom dancing, mixing normal standard closed hold with solo movements similar to those used as entries and exits by Professional demonstrators in Cabaret form. The four dances are Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz. Toni explained her definition of postural understanding regarding gravity the competitors who dance this style but also as a complete package of introduction as to what Smooth should be all about and how beautiful it can be. Toni’s complete passion for the style was captivating, she danced non-stop as a constant illustration.
Back to Latin, next on was SHIRLEY BALLAS. She commenced her dancing career at the age of two with Ballet and Tap, continuing on to Ballroom and Latin at the age of six. Shirley became a Professional Lat in Champion with two different partners, Sammy Stopford and Corky Ballas. Her credits include ten x United States Champion, European, Star, United Kingdom, International and three x British ‘Open’ Champion. She has been honoured with a ‘Teacher of the Year’ Award and a ‘Carl Alan’ Award. Shirley was born and grew up in the United Kingdom. During her competitive career she lived many years in both USA and United Kingdom and represented both countries. She now resides permanently in the USA in California, close to her talented son, Mark who has a successful career in music and dance.
Rumba was her theme and the detailed explanation of the ‘SEVEN TYPES of RUMBA WALK’ was the subject. Her and levitation, lining up the centre of levitation over the centre of gravity. Toni showed the possibility of advanced weight positions possible to use for Smooth that exceed the Ballroom Standard requirements. The possibility to use contraction act ions, back bends etc enhances the dance form. She believes that in Smooth at present there is incredible diversity. Influences from so many other dance forms are prevalent, but she feels it is important to maintain the emotional and structural character of which dance the movements are being applied to. She showed how the use of imaginary stories can characterise simple basic movements. Toni then danced a piece of basic Smooth choreography - 3 Step Turn, Twinkle, Grapevine (Zig Zag movement), Ronde, Hesitation and Solo Turn and explained how to characterise it for Waltz with all kinds of imagery and varying energies from No. 1, which would mean very soft to No. 5 which is more dominant. Then Toni danced exactly the same choreography now using energies from No. 5 to maximum energy output of No. 10 and using some dramatic story lines she created totally the Tango atmosphere. Incredibly Toni then performed the same step pattern in complete Foxtrot character combining the classical elegance of traditional Ballroom Foxtrot combined with images of Hollywood, Fred and Ginger, Bob Fosse, Chorus Line, Broadway, Cabaret and Jazz to spice it up. It was most startling as to how the same steps could appear so different! I found this a most excellent , entertaining and informative lecture for not only initial statement referred to the importance of being able to stand on one foot in perfect balance. She stressed how appalled she is that so many find that simple aspect so difficult. Firstly the Forward Walk showing the clarity of direct weight change; then the Backward Walk, maintaining the principle of correct weight and vertical postural understanding. No 3 - The Checked Forward Walk as used in New Yorker in Rumba was illustrated. No 4 - A Forward Walk turning maintaining full weight on one foot. Shirley explained that 5, 6 and 7 are all forms of delayed Forward or Backward Walks. Emphasis was made regarding the clarity of showing either early or late weight change, but always positive. Shirley used a World Junior Champion in the Juvenile section, Sophia Latisse and German Amateur Champion Yulia Musikhina to illustrate her principles on the perfection of leg and foot action, precision and balance. Both girls handled their task with presentation of beautiful ankle extension awareness. Shirley closed her lecture inviting Ferdinando Iannaccone to partner her to dance a Basic Rumba demonstrating all her aspects most beautifully. Her summary statement of: “If you can stand on your own feet it is empowering” contained the essential message of the importance of personal balance. Pictured, from top to bottom: Loraine Baricchi. Shirley Bal las. Nicola Nordin. Dance News file photographs by Ron Self. at the International , United Kingdom, USBC and Australian Championships in both Ballroom and Latin styles both in Youth and Amateur categories and became a Ten Dance Champion. In 1993 Toni moved to the USA and danced with partner/husband, Michael Mead, formerly from the United Kingdom. They transitioned from Modern Ballroom to American Smooth and became four x US Champions from 1999 – 2002. Her credits include being a judge and choreographer on ‘So You Think You Can Dance.’ She was Dance consultant for
The final lecturer was LORAINE BARICCHI. Loraine commenced her dancing career at the age of six in Ireland where she was born. She grew up in England and, together with Andrew Sinkinson, she became the Amateur Champion at the British ‘Open’, World, United Kingdom and International . Her Professional career with Luca Baricchi was equally as successful. She has been involved with dancing for forty years, thirty of which were as a competitor. Her special credits include ‘Prince Mikasa’ Award, BDF award and Arthur Murray Award. Loraine now resides in Florida USA. Foxtrot was the dance choice for this lecture entitled ‘THE LADY’S ROLE’. Loraine commenced by explaining the most important aspect for her is her feet. Ladies need to know how to push and pull floorboards with their toes. Pull when moving forward and push when moving backwards. She feels many ladies move back by making the direction from the body which appears very hard and forced. Correctly danced from the toes the Swing action can be most evident. Loraine, like Shirley, reiterated the importance for both man and lady to be totally responsible for their own individual balance. For a lady beautiful leg and foot timing needs to be researched, to be aware of which leg is moving forward and which back. Loraine advises “never think to move two legs forward at the same time!” When Loraine illustrated both the correct and the wrong ways it was most obvious! She then explained how to move the body, understanding “feeling and timing” the swing, and then making it fit with the man. Loraine feels that she does not need to think about her knees if she works her ankles correctly. Many ladies cause themselves long term knee problems by thinking too much about bending the knees. So much detailed information with Loraine, like Toni earlier, dancing virtually non-stop illustrated how much the lady needs to know for herself. It is not enough to simply follow the man! Her forty years of dance experience provided a wealth of knowledge and under-standing. She stated that it is important for us all to never stop learning, keep the mind open for discussion. Loraine explained that she feels too many dancers today just make everything correct, the beautiful big top is most evident but not enough emotion is prevalent. Her final information was to inform that there are three types of balance - the personal, the partnership and the swing balance, again beautifully illustrating the fabulous lady dancer that is Loraine Barrichi.
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US Congress 2011