24 September 2024
Warm Up
Katy Lark kick started the day with an energetic and dynamic warm up.
Hip Hop for beginners
Vikki Stavrinos followed on from Katy with an extremely informative lecture on beginner hip hop steps and movements. Teachers had the opportunity to learn a fun-filled, zestful routine to take back to class with them.
Grades 1-3
Joanna Bevan presented the opportunity for teachers to learn Grades 1-3 of the graded syllabus, to enable teachers to take back to their academy and inspire students to learn and progress through the grades, which are hugely beneficial to improve technique.
Rock'n'Roll
Maria Howse presented an outstanding lecture on Silver / Gold Rock'n'Roll pairs. Teachers had the opportunity to learn a technical and intricate routine to help with ideas of how to link steps and movements with fluidity.
Making the Connection with Bronze and Silver Pairs
Amy Lewis provided a fantastic pairs routine, both simplified and with more difficulty, to allow progression from Bronze to Silver level. Teachers were inspired by the linking of the steps and opposition work of the choreogrphy she gave.
Students Mindset and Wellbeing
Kim Rogers, the founder of The Butterfly Mind, was back for the second year, this time giving a superb lecture on how best to inspire and talk to students, to ensure a positive mindset for them, especially when under pressure.
Advanced Hip Hop
Vikki Stavrinos was back with another fabulous lecture, but this time with advanced Hip Hop. Teachers saw a clear progression from the beginner to advanced level and had lots of creative work to take back with them.
Teaching Tips
Paul Streatfield gave a very informative lecture on teaching tips and methods. This lecture was based on Social Dance Test and Pre-Bronze level and showing how to progress from one to the other, sharing ideas on how to get the very best out of students with their basic technique.
Dynamic Stretch
Katy Lark was back with another constructive lecture on dynamic stretch. Teachers had the opportunity to acquire knowledge of ideas on how to improve student flexibility and use the muscles and joints in the best way to move through their full range of motion.
Solid Socials
Amy Morrison presented a beneficial lecture on how to create a solid Social level dancer. Teachers were inspired by her creative routine and had lots to take back with them.
Surprise Flashmob
Teachers were pleasantly surprised when the day was interrupted by a burst of students from the AK Academy of Dancing, Joanna Bevan School of Dance, The LR Dance School, Surrender Dance Academy and the GH School of Dance. Students came together to present a flashmob routine they had created together, to celebrate 120 years of the ISTD.
Set Dance 2025
Maria Howse was back, talking all things Set Dance for the upcoming DFR qualifier competitions 2025. Teachers had the opportunity to learn the new O21 set dance as a kick start to learning the new choreography chosen.
Cool Down
Katy Lark was back with the final lecture of the day, presenting the cool down. Teachers had the opportunity to gain ideas of developmental stretching to use at the end of each class.
Conclusion
Teachers were hugely inspired by the whole day, having gained lots of new tips and ideas, learning vivacious and creative choreography, and most importantly having the opportunity to meet new people throughout the day.
The DFR faculty have exciting new changes coming up in 2025 with the National Finals spreading over two days, and introducing new qualifier events. Dance Exchange gave teachers the inspiration and creative work needed to take back to their studios to allow them to progress further with their own students.
Head of Faculty Development for DFR and Street, Amanda Tapp stated that, 'Dance Exchange 2024 was a truly inspiring celebration of 120 years of the ISTD. The insightful lectures and the energetic DFR flashmob created a memorable day of learning and connection for ISTD dance teachers."
