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 Johnny Tang, June Lee, Stephanie Wang, Mark Lichtenberger, Matthew Harkins, Na Zhang, Ken Richards, Mary Botta, Tom Lucas, Susan Rollins, Val Hodgeman, Mary Pinizzotto, Vivian Beiswenger and single day attendees were not present for the photo. Seated in front Lori Woods-Gay with Bruno (the dog) who attended the entire event and was very well behaved.
The Symposium was a five day event, six hours per day, held in conjunction with the “Independence Day Ball Dance Camp” over the July 4th holiday at the Hilton Washington DC/ Rockville MD.
During the course, a different dance was taught each day, covering most of the figures in the Bronze and Silver Syllabus and pointing out technical details of each step pattern including tips on what to study and how to present for an ISTD professional exam.
Most attendees participated in the full five-day symposium (which covered the four ballroom dances required for an ISTD exam andfinishing on day five with the Viennese Waltz). A few opted to attend only one, two or three days, depending on their interests and availability. A diverse group geographically from California, Tennessee, New York City, New Jersey, Kansas, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
The attendees received notes each day on amalgamations for each dance at each level, pre-bronze, full bronze and Silver. These amalgamations are suitable for Medal Tests as well as closed syllabus competition events. In addition, the room that we worked in had a white board and notes were posted daily. Most of the attendees were able to photograph these notes with their phones or ipad, which gave the sessions more value.
A few of the days included homework assignments concluding with a fun competition for a prize awarded to the person with the most correct answers. We had a tie for first place between Johnny Tang and Na Zhang (see photo). It should be noted that not all participants handed in their homework citing, that the dog ate it. Lori Woods-Gay presenting the prize to the winners of the homework contest, Johnny Tang and Na Zhang.
Having this event during the IDB afforded the attendees the opportunity to join in some of the other activities offered during the week-end. Depending on your Dance Stamina, there was something for everyone from the Social Dancer to the SeriousDance Sport Competitor. Activities included: attending the July 4thFireworks in Washington DC with a walking tour of the Capital, two general Social Dances, and an evening social of West Coast Swing including a fun Jack and Jill competition. The main ballroom was also available at specific times for practicing. Private lessons could be scheduled during the event selecting from a cast of who’s who in Dance Coaches.
The USISTD is able to offer this symposium in partnership with Championship Dance Camps. The organizers of CDC, Ily Zislin and Elena Granovsky are excellent hosts and do a wonderful job organizing the event in every way. It was a pleasure to work with them.
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