Newsletter
Autumn 2019
A Message from the Principal
Haslemere Performing Arts is 50 years old this year. Many HPA pupils have gone on to a professional career either in dance or musical theatre. The continued success of HPA lies in both the quality of its staff and because it not only embraces the latest developments but also retains the good of the past.
My thanks to our teachers, Laura Amer, Suzi Brockett, Sabine Simmonds, Tim Spindler, Hannah Williams, Yvonne Jones, Georgia Clarke and Sophie Weekes. I am grateful to Nadine Alleyne for ‘Front of House’ at Haslewey on Saturdays, and to Marie Hughes who runs our dancewear ‘shop’ on Saturday mornings where you can buy new or pre-loved uniforms, shoes and costumes. Many thanks to Clare Nisbet as chairman of our events team; Nina who now helps run the financial side of the events and festivals; Nikki Weekes our Stage Manager; Mark Raggett our Technical Manager; finally Debbie Metcalfe our Wardrobe Mistress.
Behind the scenes there is always an army of volunteer helpers so I must give my grateful thanks to all those who have helped in whatever capacity.
If you would like to join the teams that make it all possible, please let us know and we will make sure that the right person contacts you.
StageShine (Shine / Little Shiners Children’s Musical Theatre Group)
Mondays at Our Lady of Lourdes 6-13 yr olds : 5.15pm – 6.30pm (£65 per term). Free trial lesson available Classes start back on 16th September 2019.
RAD Ballet Exams
The next session will be November/December 2019.
Modern and Tap Exams
These will take place in November/December 2019.
Festivals
Festivals give the students an opportunity to enter dance competitions in and around Surrey and Hampshire. Workshops take place at Haslewey on a Saturday afternoon for Juniors, Inters and Seniors from 1.30 – 4.00pm. There are separate fees for these classes and for entering competitions. If you’d like more details please contact Angela at haparts@aol.com or one of the dance captains:
Senior Dance Captain – Nikki Weekes
Junior Dance Captain – Clare (clare.nisbet70@virginmedia.com)
Inters Dance Captain – Debbie (mettygirl@hotmail.com)
Our upcoming festivals are:
Petersfield Festival 25th – 28th July 2019
British Arts
First Heat: Fernhurst Village Hall on Sunday 8th December 2019
Second Heat: Haslewey on Saturday 18th January 2020
Festival Season 2019/2020
The new season will soon be upon us and new dances need to be choreographed from the new teams.
Registration Forms need to be completed before the end of July so that Mrs Cantan and HPA teachers may organise their choreography to begin teaching and rehearsing at the beginning of September.
Please ensure that you have returned your form to the relevant dance captain for your group:
Baby Group – Clare Nisbet
Inters/Juniors – Debbie Metcalfe
Seniors – Nikki Weekes.
Invoices for the new season will be sent out over the summer holidays and these fees and must be paid prior to the first day of term.
Entry fees for the various British Arts and other festivals will be invoiced where they are part of the school’s entries.
Other festivals that parents wish their child to enter should be done independently but it is advisable to check with Mrs Cantan to ensure that it is suitable for your child.
A list of recommended festivals will be provided as part of the new booklet “A Guide to Festivals” which is currently being drafted.
The booklet’s aim is to provide new and existing festival team members as much information as to what is expected and will include ‘top tips’.
Please feel free to ask Clare Nisbet (clare.nisbet70@virginmedia.com) if you have questions about the festival process.
Summer School 2019
Summer school will take place on 29th July – 2nd August 2019, 5th – 9th August 2019. Production is to be a musical version of ‘Alice in Wonderland’. Click here to download application form and more information.
Onesies
If anyone would like an HPA hoodie, t-shirt or onesie please order from Marie Hughes. They are available in navy, black or hot pink.
Dance Shop and Second-Hand Festival Costumes
Marie holds a shop alternate Saturdays at Haslewey from 10.30 – 12.30pm. The shop has nearly new and new dancewear, or can order your requirements. If you need anything inbetween please contact Marie Hughes via HPA’s Facebook page.
Trips
Previously we have arranged trips to London Shows including: The Lion King, Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This year we are organising trips at a special price to Wicked and Mary Poppins. Please contact Marie: marie.mills@hotmail.co.uk.
Congratulations
At the Bognor Music Festival:
Our Adult Tap Group won First Place and a trophy.
The Junior Character Group, “In Munchkinland”, also won a trophy.
This was our first participation at Bognor. In total, 21 medals were won.
We had record success at both British Arts Finals in London and the Hampshire Festival
At the British Arts Finals:
First Place Trophies were won by:
NEAPOLITAN: Senior Small Ballet Group.
ONLY HOPE: Senior Small Modern Group.
PANDEMIC: Junior Large Character Group.
IN MUNCHKINLAND: Baby Large Character Group.
THINGS THAT STOP YOU DREAMING: Senior Own Choreography – Sophie Weekes.
ONE MORE TIME: Junior Choreography – Toula Brockett, Francesca Clay and Isobel Kidd.
Individual awards: Shakira Alleyne: Aggregate Cup, Highest Lyrical Cup and Highest Modern Cup.
Maryam Likohugu: Highest Greek Trophy.
Toula Brockett: Highest Junior Aggregate Cup and Highest Junior Ballet Cup.
Isobel Kidd and Toula Brockett: Junior Classical Duet Trophy.
Saskia Lambot: Most Promising Inter / Senior.
Anna MacKinnon and Saskia Lambot: Inter / Senior Stage Duet Trophy
Senior Character Group: Highest Classical Group mark of the festival.
Solos and Duets: Shakira Alleyne, Tia Alleyne, Toula Brockett (3), Isobel Kidd (2), Anna MacKinnon (2), Amy Taylor Eardley, Emma Taylor Eardley (2).
Other Medallists were: Saskia Lambot (second), Jemima Burdett (third) and Isobel Kidd (two 4 th. places).
Hampshire Festival results:
14 First Places, 20 Second Places and 17 Third Places.
14 Trophies were also won:
Highest Classical Group, Senior Character Group.
Shakira Alleyne (4), Toula Brockett (3), Isobel Kidd, Saskia Lambot (2), Maryam Likohugu and Anna MacKinnon.
News of recent ex-pupils:
Jerome Barnes (brother of Shakira and Tia Alleyne) is now First Artiste with Scottish Ballet.
Efa Niven has just gained a place on the Associate Scheme of The Royal Ballet School.