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This week's Newsletter is sponsored by Lafour Dance & Drama - seeking more teachers in a number of UK locations.

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I have some responses from members to last week's question about the CID (International Dance Council).

DTOL New Zealand representative Leon Draper (sonivan@yahoo.com):

"I receive the CID newsletter and have done so for a number of years. Two years ago my wife joined up as a financial Member (Eu 50.00) and received a booklet on Greek dancing and an out of date sticker for the studio wall..... emails about this were ignored. All communications go unanswered and world-wide scholarship entries and enquiries are also ignored.

It seems to me that the CID also hides under the recognition of UNESCO and on reading the fine print they are not members of this organisation but give their support. I may be wrong about this but no one will give true answers.

The annual get together of members is always in Greece, but the head office is in France. The Greek connection I had contact with, said it would be a good idea if New Zealand was represented on the International Board. I agreed to represent them here in New Zealand. This got me into all sorts of trouble in New Zealand from UNESCO to Dance (DANZ) New Zealand as they informed them that we were not members. Many telephone calls to ALL members of the Leading dance fraternity giving membership # as proof, cooled the waters so to speak but never the doubt of my good intentions...to say my name was tarnished here is an understatement.

You may find that there are others out there that have experienced similar problems.

"You can register as a teacher with them and receive a newsletter on line."

I think the organisation has the best of intentions but their PR work is wanting. To avoid misunderstandings maybe the organisation may need to look at itself. Make available world scholarships as advertised in their newsletters, to all dancers and organisations free of charge or they defeat their purpose."

Liza Delafuente-Castaneda (lizadfc@yahoo.com) from the Philippines:

"They have been inviting me to be a member, it's just hard for me to pay euros from my country so still am not a member. Anyways they listed me in their free who's who in dance listing though."

DTOL France representative Fiona Alderman (fionaalderman@worldonline.fr):

"in reply to the question of validity of the CID site. I think it is genuine. I have known about it for several years now. I am on their Directory and often look for information on their site which has been in the past very helpful. I hope I am on the correct one of www.cid-unesco.org"

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DTOL member Yehonatan Levy (AEUnltd@gmail.com) answered last week's questions about students' weight:

"When I was Ballet Master in Israel at the Bat Dor Company we had a healthy range of body types - however it was understood as a matter of partnering concern that girls should be conscientious of being at a workable weight for their partner, as well as being strong enough to jump, hold themselves, move consistently, etc... in order to do "their part" in partnering sequences... Men were also told and encouraged to do different types of upper body work in order to prevent injury and to stay on top of the demands for new choreography."

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A reminder that you can perform a number of DTOL membership functions online at www.dtol.ndirect.co.uk/memberlogin.asp

You can edit your DTOL listing, register your summer school/camp details and access the online newsletters and the DTOL Forum.

Changing your password is easy - log in with your existing password (above) and make the changes. Just make sure the new password is exactly 5 characters long and only alphanumeric.

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SPONSOR'S SECTION

LAFOUR DANCE & DRAMA SCHOOLS
What can we do to make things better!!!!!! How can we achieve more?????? We need it bigger - it needs to be bolder??? There must be an easier way?? We need to change it AGAIN .....AND AGAIN, and again and again.........

These concepts, for most us, have been engraved in our thinking and education for a number of years, and we've all tried different ideas and new methods within our teaching to try and "keep up" with change.

* Syllabi has been changed, re-learnt, and then changed again.
* Emphasis has been moved from achievement to enjoyment, then back to achievement
* New styles have come .. And gone!
* New steps have been introduced - old steps discarded - and then old steps re-introduced

CONFUSING??? Yes

But recently it's interesting to see how many 'experts' are now re-thinking and reversing their philosophies ie- don't use plastic bags - help the environment; use terry nappies NOT disposables; eat less processed food, eat 5 vegetable portions per day; exercise more, it's better for you; fresh air is good for you...don't spend too much time in front of the computer - the list is endless!!!

The major dance organisations have also been re-thinking, and some steps, music, philosophy and achievement criteria from the past have been re-introduced. It's obvious that if change were a shape then it would be a circle!

This reversal thinking and has made me reflect on Lafour dance and drama schools and what we are trying to achieve. Children today do so many different activities that it can be very difficult for parents to choose what is best for their child. Parents have to consider cost, time, benefit and of course enjoyment, so the question I asked myself was how could I provide all of these requirements!

After great deliberation and soul-searching, the answer was simple - STOP CHANGING THINGS...

For more years than I care to remember I have taught ballet, modern, tap and drama to pupils who have grown in confidence, achieved success, performed in shows, enjoyed a special social environment and of course HAD A WONDERFUL TIME!

Why change what I'm doing?? Is it successful - YES. Do my pupils enjoy themselves - YES. Am I achieving what I want to achieve - YES. Are my pupils achieving what they want to achieve - YES.

I think we all need to reflect and ask ourselves these questions. Let's stop changing things for the sake of change and I'm sure we will all enjoy our teaching more without the constant worry of feeling that we need to try "new" ideas. Let's run our dance schools as they've always been run - offering enjoyment, achievement and success!

Lafour Dance & Drama Schools offer exactly what we say. We teach dance - ballet, tap, modern, and drama, in a very traditional way. All classes are structured to allow natural progression, but we are flexible enough to be able to recognise and develop potential. If, as a teacher, you would like to be part of the Lafour team or would like more information on Lafour, then contact us on 0845 602 3347 or visit our website on www.lafour.org.uk We would love to hear from you.

Sue Lawrie @ Lafour

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NEWSLETTER COUNTRY-SPECIFIC SECTIONS
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EUROPE SECTION
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Fergus McHugh (gus_mc_hugh@hotmail.com) from Celbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland asks: "could you recommend a dance instructor or school for some lessons for a first dance at a wedding. We were hoping to take them around 5th may or at some stage that week. My mobile is 0871317898 or you can e-mail me at the above address."

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ASIA SECTION
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Mallika Shenoy (mallika.shenoy@gmail.com) from Khar, Mumbai, India is "in a search for belly dancing classes that are in Mumbai."

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UK SECTION
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DTOL member Rachel Kent (principal@pinkacademy.co.uk) from New Denham, Buckinghamshire is "trying to locate a tracksuit/t-shirt wholesaler and cannot find any at all - I did look at the shop on Dtol but nothing listed."

If you can help Rachel, please email her direct.

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Spasena (spasena@hotmail.co.uk) from Amersham, Buckinghamshire is "looking for ballet lessons, Amersham preferred, but Chesham will do. Affordable prices. Classical ballet."

Tania (tania.morenita@hotmail.com) from Southwark, London is "looking for street dance classes in Southwark and kind of near Camberwell Green."

Lucy (mschalper@nireland.com) from Portstewart, L.derry, Northern Ireland is "desperately looking for a hip-hop dance school. I already am in a dance school but love dancing so much I'd really want to join another school or start different classes. I would be willing to travel as far as Belfast. Can any1 help?"

Lauren & Sasha (x-lauren-16@hotmail.co.uk) from New Addington, Surrey "are looking to start private street dancing lessons Near to us. There are two of us, both females, havent had much experience doing dance but are very interested to try it out. Do you have any suggestions of anyone who can help us?"

Dawna Stansfield (dawna87@hotmail.co.uk) is from Peebles, Scotland:
"Myself and a friend are looking for a street dance class close to home."

Jo Catlow (jo.catlow@btinternet.com) from High Wycombe, Bucks is "24 and am looking for a urban/street dance class or private lessons in my area."

Caroline (caroline_edwins@yahoo.co.uk) from Basildon, Essex is "a street jazz, hip-hop and break dancer. I have a competition coming up and would really like to brush up my routine. I would like to work with a professional dance teacher in the above fields. Looking forward to hearing from potential teachers. Thanks!"

Becky (becky_sweetie_10@hotmail.co.uk) from Reading, Berkshire is "looking for dancing lessons for me in reading. I mostly want to learn salsa, cha cha and tango. Thanks."

Bassey Ephraim (princessbephraim@hotmail.com) from Hounslow, Middlesex wants a "dance school in hounslow that specialises in salsa, belly dancing or rumba dancing I would like to register with one and that hold classes on Saturday morning or evening or Sunday evening I would really appreciate it and my friends would want to join too. Hope to hear from you soon so that I can register and keep fit for the summer. Thank you."

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THIS WEEK'S NEW DTOL MEMBERS

The reason for listing new members each week is to foster DTOL's community. I hope that, from time to time, you will find a DTOL member in your area, or who is teaching your specialism in another area, and you will want to make contact with them, to share experiences. That's what DTOL's all about! But the listing is also a "welcome" to the new members. Perhaps you can take a minute this week to email one of these members to welcome them to DTOL.

The second line in each case is what each member says about themselves.

Patricia Wegg, Ontario, Canada. Email: patriciawegg@dancetechniques.ca
Acro/Gym, tap, jazz, ballet

Nipuna Kumbalathara, , Sri Lanka. Email: nipuna@nipuna.net
International Style Latin & Ballroom, Salsa, Argentine Tango, Showdance & Social Dance

Kristina de Sacramento, Minnesota, USA. Email: info1@andaflamenco.com
Flamenco classes, all levels, go to school page at http://www.andaflamenco.com

U Dare 2 Dance Cynthia Willingham, Georgia, USA. Email: udare2dance@yahoo.com
Specializing in Praise and Worship Dance, Gospel Hip-Hop, Prophetic Mime, etc.

Jayne Lawrence, London, United Kingdom. Email: jaynemlawrence@hotmail.com
I am a professional dancer and teach ballet, street, tap, modern, jazz

Raimonda Stonyte, Ireland. Email: raimondastonyte@yahoo.co.uk
All dances. Most qualifed - balley, latin, ballroom, national lithuanian dances.

Aimee , Ireland. No email address.
Latin American, Ballroom, Hip Hop, Street Dance, Contemporary, Jive/Latin/Salsa Fitness

James Taylor, New South Wales, Australia. Email: jamngaz@netspace.net.au
Classical Ballet and Contemporary classes and private coaching

Galina , Connecticut, USA. Email: galina@danceballroomwithgalina.com
private ballroom and latin dance lessons

Valerie McNellen, Ontario, Canada. Email: dance.etc@sympatico.ca
Qualified professional Tap instruction all levels recreational / competitive

DTOL now has 6,219 members, in 88 different countries.

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Dance Teachers On-Line thanks Lafour Dance & Drama for sponsoring this newsletter.

For more information contact:

Sue Lawrie,
Lafour Dance & Drama
0845 602 3347
info@lafour.org.uk

Lafour Dance & Drama Schools
Lafour Franchising Limited
Registered Office: The Cottage, Soudley, Cinderford, Glos. GL14 2UB
Tel: 0845 602 3347
Registered Number: 4232653

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