9 January 2024
Congratulations to all those who were acknowledged in this year's honours list through their contributions to advocating dance in all its forms.
Including four ISTD members: Chitraleka Bolar MBE, Jacqueline Ferguson MBE, and Joyce Wingfield BEM.
- Chitraleka Bolar, Dancer, Choreographer and Teacher - Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to South Asian Dance (Birmingham, West Midlands). Chitraleka is Artistic Director of her Chitraleka Bolar Academy since 1996 and has developed cultural diversity through a myriad of venues and educational settings. She was a key committee member from the inception of the South Asian Dance faculty and continues to be on the committee whilst also our Grade Lead Examiner for Bharatanatyam, supporting our examiners and mentoring and inspiring the next generation of teachers and examiners.
- Jacqueline Ferguson, President, London College of Dance Network and Volunteer, Healthwatch (Kensington and Chelsea) - Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to the community in London (London, Greater London). Jacky has been a member of the Society since 1958. She was appointed to the National Dance Branch in 1970. She served on this Committee, in a voluntary capacity, until 2019 and was elected to the position of Chair in 2001.
- Pamela Wingfield, Founder Principal, Wingfield School of Ballet and Dance - Medallist of the Order of the British Empire, for services to Dance and to the community in Bristol (Bristol, City of Bristol). Wingfield School was established in 1979 by Pamela where she developed her school up until 2015, when she passed it over to Stephanie Germanis and then to Katie Kettle in 2022. The Wingfield School has delivered ISTD Tap and Modern exams since it was founded and continues to do so.
- Moira Jeanette Brock, Founder and Principal, La Danse Fantastique - Medallist of the Order of the British Empire, for services to Young People in Basildon, Essex (Basildon, Essex). Moira has been teaching for 30 years and she founded her school in Essex in 1990, where she delivers ISTD Tap and Modern and ICB ballet exams. The school focuses on mixing children with special needs and able-bodied dancers together for performing arts training.
Congratulations to all!
More information on the New Year's Honours list can be found here.
