The 111th Maclean Highland Gathering

At Easter we were so excited to roadtrip to NSW for the 111th Maclean Highland Gathering!

We were really looking forward to a comp with a difference, an outdoor comp surrounded by the Highland Games, Bagpipe competition, markets and more.

Unfortunately - this was the weather we were dealing with!

 Never have I been happier to hear the words "we are dancing inside! Sure "inside" was a small very cramped hall and their was no real stage - but who cared! It rained on and off all day and the stage (in the background in this picture) would have been slippery, wet and dangerous to dance on. We did have to get a picture with the stage at least in the distance though!

E was absolutely thrilled that her teacher Marlene travelled all the way from Brisbane to be with the girls. Totally was not expected given the distance away the comp was. It did make for a very nice day though and gave the girls a lot of encouragment.

It was also wonderful that another beginner from the Brisbane branch of the studio was able to be there. The girls loved having someone else to talk to and had a lot of fun. I do love how friendships are beginning to form between the girls despite the distance due to a wonderful common interest.

E ended up getting brilliant results at this competition! Well worth the drive! She got second in the fling, lilt, and sean tribhuas and first in the flora!

And another beginner square marked! Novice is so close and she can't wait!

Thistle! First comp of the year!

So - at the start of the year I promised myself I would keep this blog update ... but it's now May and I am blogging about a comp from March ...yep ... failed at that! Anyway ... onto the dancing!


Our first comp of the year was Thistle. Not one we have done before and not one our school attends each year (travel becomes an issue when you live in the country!). It was a nice comp to start the year though, and to get the girls started in the comp season.

It was definately one of  E's most consistent comps to date- 4th in the fling, 3rd in the sword, 4th in the Seann triubhas, 3rd in the flora, 4th in the trophy fling, and 4th in the title.

She was actually awarded and presented the medal for 3rd in the fling ... but seconds before her lilt was called up and told she was actually 4th. She conducted herself beautifully and graciously returned her medal and accepted the new one, but it did shake the poor girl. (understandably). She had to go immediately from this to marshalling for the lilt without time to regroup and I do think it effected her dancing in the lilt.

However - despite not placing in the lilt she danced beautifully, placed well, and got another Beginner Square marked with the sword dance.

Feedback from her teacher was that a teacher from another studio had noticed how well she was progressing - this was a beautiful complement to her too.

One final comp for the year

Once again we travelled to Brisbane Sunday for the Southern Qld Championships and competition.

This has been a fairly low key prep to this competition this year. E has been practicing steadily - but really more focused just in the last month. She has also not had private lessons at all through this time (apart from one on school holidays).

It has been a nice change though - she seems to be approaching practice with a new maturity and doesn't fight me to do it ... (just doesn't like too much critism either!)

When we arrived we discovered E was in the beginner's 9 and 10 years section. This was the first time she has had to compete with girls a year older than her.

First dance was her lilt - and it was lovely! And she was rewarded - third place~!

Her flora was next - and it was lovely. I am really seeing her understand the grace in the music more.
Unfortunately she did not place - even her teacher was a little suprised - but these things happen.

A quick change and into her kilt outfit for the highland dances.

Her fling was lovely - her turnout has improved very much over the last year. E placed 5th in this.

Then the swords. Once again she had some sliding on the stage in the swords. It seems to be a consistent problem for her on this stage - and it was evident that other dancers also struggled. No place in the swords.

Trophy fling was next. She danced a lovely fling and still danced strongly even though she had had a very long day. Perhaps all the running she does pays off in increased stamina.

Her final dance was the strathspey and highland reel. She was devastated as she felt she had made a tiny mistake and it was her last chance to have a square marked off on her beginner card this year. She really really REALLY wanted that square marked off.

In fact - she had gone outside to play with her little sister when the results were announced. She came running in! THIRD in the reel!!! I have never seen her so happy! I think that square meant more to her than any trophy could!

Finally the numbers were called up for the presentation on stage.

E got 5th in the title and 4th for her trophy fling!! Such a happy girl!

So much improvement this year! The comp was well worth the travel - her practice was well rewarded and her confidence is up!

Onwards and upwards to next year!

Scotia Highland Dancing Competition

 9th of June was another great comp for Miss E.

Once again the venue was the Bracken Ridge High school. This is a venue we really like. We've been there enough to know it well, and it is in an area we are familiar with. It is a big day out tho with plenty of driving!

This competition was the first that E danced in all her beginner dancers as we could finally add the Strathspey and Highland Reel to her dances.  She danced her reel beautifully - especially for a new dance - but unfortunately did not place.

I am continually amazed with how well she copes with competition. I think now my job is to learn to step back, and let her have as much independance as possible. She doesn't like "smothering" and is quite a capable little dancer.

Placings
Trophy Highland Fling - 8th
Title Scottish Lilt - 7th
Title Sword dance - 4th
Flora McDonald's Fancy -5th
Scotia title  - 7th

It was a big section with lots of talented dancers. E danced well -but also knows she has lots of ways to improve!

Oh - and Scotia trophies are lovely !

First comp of 2014!

It was almost a relief to get to competition day - our first comp of 2014!

We attended Bernadette's again in Toowoomba and E just scraped into the 9 year old category.

It was a big category for a Toowoomba comp, with 14 girls. And as the girls competed all day- rather than beginners in the morning it was a long day for them too. But they conducted themselves so well.

Our day started early (thank goodness we didn't have to travel on the day - thanks for the hospitality mum!) and first dance was the Highland Fling.

E did a lovely fling - but didn't place. A little disappointing for her - I think she was worried that would happen all day. She was excited for her two friends that placed tho and it was lovely to see her go and congratulate them and make sure they knew.

Our second dance of the day - was another fling! The trophy highland fling. This was a really lovely fling for E. She still has lots to work on (turn out!) but she is doing nicely.

Unlike many of the section dances, the awards for the trophy fling are presented on stage. It is always a hold your breath moment while you wait to hear if her number is called! And she was so excited to hear it she took off before I could even congratulate her!

Her first prize of the day was 6th in the Highland fling. Well done!

As always - we continued on with the Highland dances. Her sword was a lovely sword (does anyone else feel physically ill until you know they have gotten through that dance without kicking the swords?) and I can see the improvements she is making! Therewas no sword kicking and she placed 6th! How exciting!

This comp was the debut comp for E in her Seann Triubhas. To be honest - I was worried if we would even be good enough to compete in it at one stage. It has gone from one of her most hated dances - to possibly her favourite dance. She danced it nicely and when she came off the stage she said she thought it was her best Seann Triubhas ever! Once again she placed 6th! Seemed to be the day for sixes at this stage!

 On to the national dances (and yes I still love to see her in her aboyne!)
The title today consisted of the lilt and the flora - two of E's favourite dances.

I think she is really suited to these two dances - perhaps it is all those years of ballet. She does seem to have a beautiful graceful feel to these dances - they flow nicely.

E has been working hard on her lilt (with shouts of CORNERS from her mum as she practises) and danced it beautifully on the day!
Obviously this was also agreed by the judges - she was thrilled to get THIRD! Fantastic in such a big group!

Her final dance of the day was the flora. This is one of E's favourite dances, and she danced it beautifully.

Unfortunately she didn't place. She was so disappointed as she thought she danced it well - but sometimes this is just going to happen.

Overall - despite it being an incredibly long day - this was a lovely comp and she loved dancing with so many friends!

A very successful start to the year!

Competition 3. St Andrew's Day

Blogging catchup continues!!

Excuse my indulgence in travelling back through my daughter's competitions - but if I am to keep this blog I would like it to be a complete record of her progress through the years!

Plus - this competition gives me the first chance of showing of her new Aboyne!

 St Andrew's Day competition was held at Bracken Ridge in November 2013. It was her first Brisbane comp, and honestly - the first comp that she practiced hard for.

Miss Marleen had been incredibly generous with her time, making herself available for private lessons, and also attending the day with us even though we were her only student attending.

It really made such a difference to have her focussing with Miss E before each dance and we are very grateful.

 We will forever remember this comp for how HOT it was.
Poor E - I spent most of the day helping her keep as cool as possible.
Note to self - put a couple of hand fans to take to comps in the dance bag, and a towel you can dampen down too if necessary. I felt so sorry for her dressed in wool and velvet.

 Second note to self. Be careful - dance shoes get slippery.

Poor E had a little slip (and recovered beautifully) in her sword dance.
Tips given by her teacher was to sand the shoes lightly, or to dampen them down.
I'd love to know what works for you. One for further research I think.

This comp - was the comp when I suddenly saw E figure it out. Maybe it was because it was just her and none of her friends to play about with - but she became so focussed. She wanted to run through each dance before performing. She was watching the higher level girls - and commenting on why she thought they did so well.

The results reflected the practise she had done.

5th overall. 5th in the Trophy Highland Fling. 4th in the lilt and 3rd in the flora.

She has declared the flora her new favourite dance.

A very happy girl

Competition number two - highs and lows

Competition number two was Bernadette's in Toowoomba.

At this comp Miss E again danced the sword, fling and trophy highland fling.

It was a day of ups and downs for my little dancer.

She did not place in either of her flings, and all of her friends but one did.

It is hard enough to not place at this age, but in one fling she said she heard someone telling her it was the swords - so that is what she began dancing. She recovered well -but of course she was disqualified for doing the wrong steps.

I had a teary little girl to comfort, and a lesson to mama that my job on dance day is to make sure that when her section is called she is calm and focused and knows what dance is next.

Miss E had a lesson in bravery. She had to get up on stage after her teary start, and do the swords. Every time till now that she had done this dance she touched the swords.

This day though - as I watched her dance - I saw a new concentration in her. She was determined that she would do that dance. Other mamas commented on how determined she looked.

And it payed off.

THIRD in the swords. That little medal meant so very much to her today.

Our first competition

In April 2013 we took Miss E to her first competition.

It was a local comp run by our dance school (is run biennielly) and I will be completely honest - I had no idea what I was doing!

Miss E competed in the Highland Fling, The Sword Dance, and the Trophy fling.

She did so well - it was a big change from dancing in class.

My biggest advice to new parents is stay till all the trophies are handed out. Always.

We almost left - only to be persuaded rather strongly to stay. Miss E was awarded third place in the trophy fling! Her first prize! Totally shocked us all!