Newsletter
Summer 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, Sabine Simmonds, Tim Spindler, Hannah Williams, Yvonne Jones, Bethany Andrews, 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 Nina who now helps run the financial side of the events and festivals. She can be contacted on: nina@ntsfit.com.
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 : 5.00pm – 6.15pm (£65 per term). Free trial lesson available Classes start back on 7th January 2019.
RAD Ballet Exams
The next session will be June 2019.
Modern and Tap Exams
These will take place in June 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:
Junior Dance Captain – Clare (clare.nisbet70@virginmedia.com)
Inters Dance Captain – Debbie (mettygirl@hotmail.com)
Our upcoming festivals are:
Guildford 27th and 28th April and Petersfield 25th – 28th July
British Arts
The finals will be in London on 10th – 12th May and 26th May.
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 9.00 – 1.00pm. The shop has nearly new and new dancewear, or can order your requirements.
Saturday Workshops Summer Show
This year the show will take place on 6th July at the Liphook Millennium Hall. Pupils have been given letters. Please remember to return these and let us know if you are not doing the show.
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
There was no Chichester Festival this year.
At the BOGNOR FESTIVAL, in a very high standard competition, trophies were won by the Adult Tap Group and the Junior Character Group, “In Munchkin Land”. In total, 21 medals were won.
At the HAMPSHIRE FESTIVAL, we achieved 14 First places, 22 Second places, 17 Third places and 10 trophies.
Individual awards
Shakira: Senior Aggregate Cup, Highest Lyrical Cup and Highest Modern Cup.
Maryam: Highest Greek Trophy.
Toula: Highest Junior Aggregate Cup and Highest Junior Ballet Cup.
Isobel and Toula: Junior Classical Duet Trophy.
Saskia: Most Promising Inter/Senior.
Anna and Saskia: Inter/Senior Stage Duet Trophy.
Senior Character Group: Highest Classical Group mark of the festival.
At the BRITISH ARTS SEMI-FINALS, Haslemere Performing Arts pupils qualified in forty four dances for the finals in May in London.
NEWS OF RECENT EX-PUPILS:
Sofia Zaman is continuing into Year 10 at the Royal Ballet School (White Lodge). Jerome Barnes (brother of Shakira and Tia Alleyne) is a First Artist with Scottish Ballet. Lavinia Fitzpatrick has joined Strictly Ballroom – The Musical as a ‘Swing Dancer’. She has also been transformed by Disney animators into a pink flamingo in the new Mary Poppins film. Grace Jennings and Fiona Johnston are continuing their dance training at Ballet West in Scotland. Finally, congratulations to Martha Woods for winning a CATS Scholarship. CATS offers a limited number of scholarships for students of exceptional merit.
If you have any suggestions for future classes or workshops, we would be grateful to receive any feedback.
Remember you can contact us and keep up to date with our news via our Facebook page.