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Nzie
Ann without an E
Global user
Registered: 07-2003
Posts: 73
Kindredness: 11 (+11/-0)
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Re: Avonlea Forum Down?
Bets, the Irish Dance Teachers of Eastern Canada hosted the North American Nationals this year, so I went up with my mom and 3 sibs. 
Av-- well.. it depends on how you view it. My youngest sister just got moved up to preliminary level, but it's all done by age so she was dancing with little girls who are levels above. She did get recalled (which means she was in the top half after a hard shoe and a soft shoe dance and got to dance her set) but she didn't place (the top third places). Overall, however, that's great.
My brother danced his best, but he didn't recall. He hasn't been working as hard as my sisters though, so it's not entirely a surprise, unfortunately. I do think, however, that he will start working harder now so that he can earn a place to it next year and place then.
My oldest younger sister danced magnificently. She was technically perfect, she was expressive, and she dances powerfully. She looked great (Irish dance has the most glitzed-out aesthetic ever, I swear.. high curly wigs, headbands with roses and pompoms and jewels, dresses to make you stand out.. crazy, seriously, but whatever), danced great, and everyone in her school thought it was the best she's ever done-- and let me say, those teachers are tough on them, and wouldn't lie. I am so proud of her.
However, the way the system works is on ranking rather than a point system per se-- judges give points, but those are converted into ranks, which are then weighted differently-- so if a judge thinks you're the best, you rank 1 and get a lot of points. At past nationals, they have had 5 judges each round, and drop lows and highs. This time, they had 3 judges and kept all-- which basically means one judge could screw you. And unfortunately for my sister, one judge did, ranking her 100 out of about 120 (now, I'm not an expert, but she wasn't worse than 99 people). She ranked 40th overall, didn't place, etc. We basically think people were judging on choreography and style, and not on a more fair system of X points for technique, etc. Her choreography is from an awesome young teacher in England who works with this school, is totally cutting edge, has been asked to judge All Irelands, etc. Her rhythms are complex-- maybe too complex for the judges. Basically, she's ahead of her time, and the system allows too much room for personal preferences, so my sis didn't get a place (we thought she'd make top 20..) and the girl who won Oireachtas and possibly Worlds got first.. she's a great dancer, clearly, but we think the decision was also influenced by choreographic prejudices.
That said,however, K danced so well it was a joy to watch and she's awesome and hopefully next year the judging will be more balanced (the school got two kids in the top five who have also been to worlds, but narrowly missed top 5 and top 10 on anyone who did place and many excellent dancers who do well didn't place.. which is also why we think it's choreography..)
anyway, that's a hugely long answer. It was well organised, they danced well, K2 especially, and Ottawa is a great city. 
~Zee
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7/10/2007, 8:05 am
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WhitneyLyn
Dance Card Stealer
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Registered: 12-2006
Posts: 103
Kindredness: 25 (+26/-1)
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Re: Avonlea Forum Down?
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
Yes, I feel a bit better.
Oh, and welcome back Zee!
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7/10/2007, 8:14 pm
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Nzie
Ann without an E
Global user
Registered: 07-2003
Posts: 73
Kindredness: 11 (+11/-0)
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Re: Avonlea Forum Down?
quote:
Faith86 wrote:
Nice to hear about your trip Zee! What kind of dancing are your siblings doing?
Irish step dancing, Faith.. think Riverdance but more structured (arms must be down by side, etc.).
thanks for the wb's, all.
~Zee
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7/11/2007, 4:04 am
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