NYB’s Summer School was again held at Elmhurst School for Dance in Edgbaston. A wide variety of classes ran alongside rehearsals for the season’s performances. The teaching faculty included: Frank Freeman, Rachel Hester, Samira Saidi, Patrick Hinson, Donna Phillips, Sue Wigglesworth, Ros Taylor, Maria Vasiliou and Judith Harris. Alumni Grace Hoy, Alice Butcher and Tim Hodges also called in and taught class for us. Rehearsals commenced for the exciting 2007 programme: Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, TOAD, Phoebus Arise, La Piazza and The Old Man of Lochnagar.

During the busy week dancers had an opportunity to rehearse their own choreography for the annual choreographic competition. This popular event was held in the theatre on Wednesday 22nd August. We were delighted to have Frank Freeman and Anna Meadmore with us again to adjudicate the main competition and the Barbara Geoghegan Musicality Award.

An inspiring demonstration in the theatre by artist Lesley Fotherby was much enjoyed one evening. Lesley showed the young audience how to capture the movement of dance in watercolour. Using NYB dancers as models she amazed us all when, with a few swift brush strokes, she produced a masterpiece on her easel. Lesley exhibits at Chris Beetles Gallery, London.

Composer Luke Whitlock joined NYB for a day of music workshops. He worked creatively with the dancers encouraging them to choreograph to his music. Results were impressive and we hope to work with Luke in the future on a choreographic project.

A very well attended Open Day was held on Wednesday 22nd August. Seventy young dancers enjoyed a ballet class with Judith Harris, assisted by Alice Butcher and learned excerpts from TOAD. During the day they also attended a drama and mime class with Ros Taylor, and a make-up class with Sue Wigglesworth. A short performance by the visiting dancers was given to parents in the theatre. Judith Harris also presented specially choreographed class work with NYB intermediate dancers and re-staged The Quality Dolls’ Dance from Anna Meadmore’s Dolls’ House Fantasia.

NYB enjoyed having a lively young film crew on board during the week who were capturing NYB’s exciting and innovative creative process and joy of dance for a documentary film they are hoping to launch with a major TV channel.

The final evening was celebrated with a Scottish themed party. A trio encouraged some lively reels and the Company had much fun. Thanks too to Christian Davies who added aatmospheric lighting and further music.

Once again warmest appreciation to the entire NYB voluntary team for their tireless help throughout the week, their generous support is invaluable to NYB. Major thanks too to super efficient Company Manager, Donna Phillips, who kept us all in order!

Jill Tookey MBE
Director

I have adjudicated this competition for several years now and each year my fellow judge, Anna Meadmore, and I are amazed at how the standard is so astonishingly high. 2007 was no exception. Our job gets more difficult every time. And what a perfect place the choreographers have to show their work. Every piece can now be seen to best advantage in the beautiful Elmhurst Theatre.

It is very gratifying to see how the choreographers have taken on board our advice over the years so that I feel we have genuinely helped them to develop their ideas both artistically and musically; they really have listened. This has developed an ethos of creativity which carries through to each successive year not only to choreographers returning to NYB but also to new members who are trying their hand for the first time. The level of invention, imaginative ideas and use of music make the competition very special and very exciting.

It is wonderful too for Jill, and NYB, that such a talented choreographer has now emerged from the competition in Drew McOnie. Although short works from the competition were shown in last year’s gala this is the first time that a major ballet is being featured by a choreographer who has been nurtured by NYB. The Old Man of Lochnagar is a big challenge for Drew and I know that Jill and all at NYB are particularly grateful to Matthew Bourne for agreeing to mentor him on this important project - as one of the great storytellers in dance there could be no one better suited. I am sure we will be hearing a lot more of Drew and that he will inspire and lead the way for other choreographers who will come out of the same NYB stable. Watch this space!

Frank Freeman, Adjudicator

NYB Choreographic Competition 2007 - Results

JUNIOR SOLO:
Winner: Amelia Palmiero
Runner-up: Charlotte Perry

INTERMEDIATE SOLO:
Winner: Ashley Morgan-Davies
Runner-up: Grace Williams

SENIOR SOLO:
Joint Winners: Lisha Chin, Chris Linda and
Isobel Powell

DUET SECTION:
Winner: Jack Wilcox
Runner-Up: Jamiel Laurence

GROUP SECTION:
Winners: Sam & Natasha Chung
Runner-up: Francesca Boughey

BARBARA GEOGHEGAN MUSICALITY CUP
Adjudicator Anna Meadmore:
Amelia Palmiero

Illustration: Lesley Fotherby