July 2019 News
Posted on 4th August 2019 at 16:19
End of term 'goings-on' at Kirkham Henry
Tutu Tuesday - Some of our fabulous Advanced ballet girls working hard in class in preparation for Showcase 2019
Associate board Royal schools of Music
Well done to our Singing exam pupils who took the first new Associate board Royal schools of Music - Musical theatre singing exams today.
Miss Nicky here - today 4 of our singing pupils went to York for their ABRSM Singing for Musical theatre exams. We had 2 girls doing Grade 2 and 2 doing their Grade 1 and we also had 2 more girls who took their grade 1 a few weeks ago at Ryedale and they are due their results any day now! This is a new exam syllabus and the girls have enjoyed the songs they have prepared and I am very proud of how hard they have all worked and performed. Thank you to the parents for supporting and transporting to York and a big thank you to Miss Alison (Davis) who played for them and she reported back that they all performed their songs brilliantly! Who could ask for anything more? Well done girls!
Royal Academy of Dance Exams
Well done to India and Sophie for traveling to Manchester to take their Royal Academy of Dance Vocational Intermediate Foundation ballet exam this morning. The excitement of being at Northern Ballet School and having a vocational Examiner marking you is special. Thank you for working so hard girls and for your parents support. Miss Angela x
Showcase 20th & 21 July
Fantastic day of rehearsals ready for Showcase 20th & 21 July. Culminating in a lovely musical evening combining Miss Nicky’s and Miss Maddy’s vocational pupils singing their heart out. Thank you everyone for your wonderful support and encouragement.
Emily Boyes
Here’s a lovely update from Emily Boyes who’s assisted with our young ones in their drama classes while studying at University after graduating from KH. We wish you all the very best Emily from your KH Family.
Hi everyone, it’s Emily here!
I am over the moon to say that I have just secured my first teaching post for September in such a welcoming and wonderful Primary School! I am really looking forward to getting started and meeting my own class very soon. I can’t believe how fast my University time has gone and I am overwhelmed to be graduating with a First Class Honours degree in a couple of weeks time!
Kirkham Henry has been a huge part of my life for 18 years and always will be. It is like one big, happy family! Helping teach drama on a Saturday is something that I love doing. I have gained many valuable skills that I will definitely take with me into my teaching career. The children are such dedicated and ambitious individuals who will go far in the future!
I would like to say a massive thank you to Miss Angela and all of the inspiring teachers at Kirkham Henry who have helped me to achieve my dream. I couldn’t have achieved this without all of the help and support they have given me along my journey! A special thank you must also go to Miss Audrie who I have worked alongside for the past 3 years. She has supported me all the way through this journey as well as giving me many opportunities that I am very grateful for!
I hope everyone has a lovely summer and good luck to everyone doing the showcase!
The Mental Health Charter
Another fantastic recognition - Look at our name on the training sector list alongside the top U.K. performing arts establishments. It’s so amazing that we have received yet another award, this time as a mentally healthy school which cares enormously about the wellbeing of our pupils and staff. Miss Angela has worked tirelessly to enable us to be part of the growing number of U.K. performing Arts organisations and have KH up there with these Prestigious companies, theatres, training sector and agents.
Another feather in our cap. Thanks to our teachers and parents who encouraged ‘End the stigma.’ and Pat O’Toole from Rose Bruford drama school and Annemarie Lewis Thomas from The MTA London for their encouragement and help.
Katy Clarke
The fabulous news keeps rolling in! Here’s Katy Clarke with her exciting news. Wishing Katy the very best KH positive thoughts for the future.
"Hello,
Having trained at Kirkham Henry with the aspiration of becoming the next Darcey Bussell my next chapter at Northern Ballet School in Manchester took a great twist and I realised the musical theatre, jazz side was more a bit of me. I will however, always value the technique I gained from the classical training, which I believe was a huge help towards gaining the great news I have.
I am unbelievably pleased to say I have graduated having accepted a contract with Mein Schiff Cruises (a day before graduation was cutting it a little fine!) that starts in September with 2 months rehearsals in Berlin. From Morocco, to Cape Verde, to Portugal and another 27 places I will be travelling on the ship for 6 months; it seems amazing I will be dancing, travelling the world and being paid to do so!
I appreciate every second I was at KH, without their training none of this would have been possible, and will go on with the fondest memories!
All my love and best wishes to everyone at Kirkham Henry, have an amazing showcase and I will visit as soon as I can!
Love Katy x"
Associate Board Royal Schools of Music Exams
Our first exam results are in for the new Musical Theatre singing exams for Associate board Royal Schools of Music. 3 distinction, 3 merit. Huge congratulations to all and especially to Miss Nicky for all your hard work preparing everyone. Thanks again to Miss Alison Davis for supporting as accompanist.
I am thrilled we have introduced this new syllabus to KH and look forward to more pupils working towards these new exams. Miss Angela.
Samantha Raine
Breaking news - We are bursting with pride that former pupil Samantha Raine ( Miss Angela’s youngest daughter) has been promoted to Senior Ballet Mistress of The Royal Ballet Company, this is a new post The Royal Opera House has brought in. We congratulate Sam for this amazing news and wish every success for the future.
July 2019. Director of The Royal Ballet Kevin O’Hare today announces promotions, leavers and joiners for The Royal Ballet’s 2019/20 Season.
Kevin O’Hare comments,”This is always a special moment in the Season to celebrate the extraordinary talents of our dancers at the varying stages of their careers with The Royal Ballet. My congratulations to those promoted and sincere thanks to those leaving or taking up new positions within the Company for their wonderful commitment and artistry. I am delighted to welcome our new joiners and wish them every happiness dancing with The Royal Ballet”.
Gary Avis becomes Senior Ballet Master and Samantha Raine Senior Ballet Mistress from the 2019/20 Season. These titles reflect the invaluable commitment and contribution made to the artistic strengths of the Company. Gary Avis will continue to perform as a Principal Character Artist with The Royal Ballet
Biography
English dancer and teacher Samantha Raine is Ballet Mistress of The Royal Ballet. She trained at The Royal Ballet School and graduated into the Company in 1997. She was appointed Ballet Mistress in 2012 and retired as a dancer later in the 2012/13 Season.
Raine was born in Yorkshire and began dancing at the age of two. She trained at her mother’s school, Kirkham Henry Performing Arts, before joining The Royal Ballet School White Lodge. While a student she was awarded the Kenneth MacMillan Choreographic Award in 1995 and the first Dame Ninette de Valois Award in 1998. After joining the Company she was promoted to First Artist in 2001 and to Soloist in 2006, during which time her repertory included roles in Mayerling, Tales of Beatrix Potter, Les Patineurs, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, La Sylphide, Giselle, Agon, In the middle, somewhat elevated, My Brother, My Sisters, Dances at a Gathering, Infra, Chroma, Ballo della regina, Song of the Earth and Polyphonia.
As Ballet Mistress Raine plays an important role in coaching the corps de ballet and other dancers, among other responsibilities. Her work as a choreographer includes a short ballet for White Lodge, A Little Princess for London Children’s Ballet and in The Royal Ballet’s Draft Works.
Under the directorship of Kevin O’Hare, The Royal Ballet unites tradition and innovation with exceptional standards of artistry, creativity and stagecraft to produce supreme theatre for diverse audiences worldwide. It is a driving force in the development of ballet as an artform and brings together today’s most dynamic and versatile dancers with a world-class orchestra and leading choreographers, composers, conductors, designers and creative teams.
York Dance for Parkinson’s group BBQ
Sunday evening smiles - What a fabulous BBQ evening with some of our York Dance for Parkinson’s group and friends, celebrating Sylvia’s 80th birthday in WW11 fashion. Sylvia works tirelessly on fundraising to help keep our Dance for Parkinson’s classes going in Wigginton Recreational Hall each Friday morning. Make a note our new Malton Dance for Parkinson’s class is starting at KH September 3rd at 1pm. Eric from our Class was an RAF fighter pilot before his Parkinson’s diagnosis and came along in one of his original flying suits. We even managed The Lambeth Walk on the lawn!
Race for life -York 15th September 2019
Due to having an extremely busy term we’ve only now managed to announce we hope you will be able to join team KH to help fund raise for cancer research. We’ve always had a brilliant time when we’ve taken part in previous years.
This year we are able to enter as a group so any young people may take part and will be allocated an adult or senior who will be joining us on the 5k run,jog, walk around York racecourse. Entry is £14.99 for young adults & adults £10 for children. Under 6 free. As we will have very little time to enter ( must be done by the first week of September ) please fill in the notice in the corridor or during Showcase. More info re payment later. You can take part and form your own sponsor page or be part of team KH page. Sponsorship not compulsory as your entry fee counts. We hope as many as possible can join us for a fun filled picnic day to raise money for this essential cause. You can Email KH also to enter
Showcase 2019
What a fabulous exhausting but exhilarating day for our Showcase 2019. Here’s a few photos of one of our dressing rooms! Thank you everyone for being fantastic in so many ways. Congratulations!
Sunday Morning Smiles
Sunday morning smiles- Lunch time in between stage call and dress rehearsal. Teachers so exhausted we have to be daft to keep our sparkle up. Plus Miss Rebecca who performed on the silks with Mr. George on the cruise ships wouldn’t let Miss Angela go up the steps to adjust the lights. Here’s Miss Rebecca adjusting the lights with her assistants. Hope to see you all later.
Showcase 2019
Massive thanks to every single one of you who took part or helped in any way. You are all stars. Photos to come later but in the meantime here’s a few of Miss Sophie’s pics.
Showcase 2019
Here’s more fab Action shots taken by our teachers of Showcase - Don’t forget our Summer photo fun ‘We love KH’ making a heart shape with your hands.
Showcase 2019
Final few of the teachers photos of Showcase 2019. Thank you for your lovely emails and sharing your thoughts and memories of 30 KH years.
30th Anniversary trophy!
Thank you so much everyone for my beautiful 30th anniversary glass trophy, presented by our seniors during Showcase. I found the plate I received 30 years ago when we won The All England Classical group section in our first year of becoming Kirkham Henry Performing Arts from Kirkham School of Dancing. Has anyone who was in that winning group still got their plate?
Don’t forget to share your hearts made with your hands as this summer’s photo fun challenge. Love Miss Angela x
Showcase 2019
You are not alone. Choreographed by Miss Sophie
Danielle Brown
Here’s former pupil Danielle Brown who can finally announce her brilliant news. We wish you all the best Danielle from all at KH.
"Hi everyone.
I hope the summer is treating you well so far.
It looks like the Showcase was a huge success, thumbs way up to all students, teachers and of course all those backstage helpers and runners and chaperones and costume fixers and taxi drivers etc etc!
Just a quick one from me. I promised Miss Angela that I would share the news as soon as the cat was officially out of the bag...
I will be joining the London cast of ‘Mary Poppins’ this autumn as Assistant Dance Captain, Swing, Cover Miss Lark.
We begin the rehearsal period beginning of September so it gives me just enough time to get back from Thun, Switzerland (where I am currently working on a summer production of a German show that none of you will have heard of 😂 but it is colourful and ridiculous and exhausting) and sort myself out.
It is a really wonderful cast that is lined up for Poppins. I am in equal parts excited and nervous but I am thoroughly pleased to be returning to the show and to be a part of the zhuzhed up/re-vamp.
Perhaps I will see you there?...
Sending love and warmest regards.
Stay safe in the heat!!!"
Shane Scarth
Catching up with former pupil Shane Scarth who has been on the U.K. tour of Here come the Boys, the show that everyone has been waiting for.
Three of the biggest rock stars of dance combine their incredible talents in a brand-new show.
Watch Aljaž Škorjanec, Giovanni Pernice and Gorka Marquez, giants of the ballroom and Latin world battle it out on the dance floorThe setting is a club, and the challenge is to find out who’s best on the dance floor!
They are here to impress, willing us to cheer them on, as they go head to head in a dance-off! Battling each other every night, in Latin, Ballroom, commercial and contemporary! They need you to decide who is the champion. Our DJ will select the tracks, and spin the decks, whilst our boys will show you why they are the true heavyweights of dance
From J.Lo to Bruno Mars, MJ, Gloria Estefan, dance anthems and club classics! Accompanied by a live percussionist, with live vocals from Elizabeth Troy (formerly with Clean Bandit). These dance-floor classics will have you out of your seat, whilst you feast on the visual delights of what our boys have in store for you!
This guilty pleasure will be like no other Strictly show. Directed and choreographed by Gareth Walker, co-choreographed by Janette Manrara, and brought to you from the producers of Rip it Up and Remembering Fred
See why they are considered the heavy weights of dance.
Congratulations Shane we’re very proud.
What makes a KH teacher ?
What makes them special? Here’s an article Miss Angela loved, on reading as 2 years off her 50 years of experience she can associate a great deal and has given similar advice to all KH pupils who aspire to teach the performing arts. We think Showcase 2019 proved these points.
50 years ago, dancer Judi Missett founded Jazzercise to promote fitness for women. with Missett still in charge here’s her tips on aligning your career with your passion. Missett advises people aspiring to align their career with their passion to be honest with yourself.
Ask what do you really want to do? What are you truly passionate about? “Turning your passion into a profession may take years of practice, hard work, and strong mentoring. You’re going to experience trial and error, as well as resistance. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, find answers, reassess, reimagine, and redesign something new, more acceptable, and exciting. Embrace change.”
Be truthful and honest about whatever your passion is. What’s your motivation? Whom and how many do you hope to help? How will it make a difference?
If you believe in what you’re doing, refuse to compromise. Expect resistance, then do it anyway!
Surround yourself with people who believe in and support your passion and purpose. Avoid the naysayers.
Others may attempt to copy, imitate, or mock you. See it as the compliment it is, but don’t look over your shoulder or hold on too tightly to where you’ve been. Instead, keep your focus forward.
Trust your team. If you hire people whose attitude matches yours and train them well, there’s no need to micromanage.
It’s okay to have fun. Adopt a sense of possibility, the attitude of “Let’s try it and see how it works.”
Embrace the challenges. In fact, revel in them. Enjoy every single step. And always, in all ways, keep moving forward!
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