ScotDanceNZ
  • Home
  • News
  • UPCOMING EVENTS
  • Results
  • Downloads
  • Contacts
  • LINKS

News

Competing at Cowal                            ‘a life changing experience’

5/12/2023

 
Picture
Solai Ehrhorn flying the New Zealand flag at the Internationals at Gosford, before going to Scotland to compete this year.
​Most young dancers dream of going to Scotland to compete. A few even dream of dancing at the ultimate test of any dancer, the Cowal International Gathering for the world championships.
 
Not long back from Scotland – and Cowal, Solai Ehrhorn of the Morgan B School of Dance in Taranaki talks about the experience to Mary-Jo Tohill…
 
***
 
Solai, 17, had been to Scotland before going over to compete this year, but had never danced at Cowal. It was a long and often painful road to get there. Battling an injury, she missed the New Zealand championships, but was recovered well enough to do the Internationals in Gosford, Australia in July before heading over to the land of pipes and haggis.
 
​“We made the decision to go in August 2022.
 
“Fitness-wise, I did a lot of cross training/pilates/core work, gym classes as well as
normal dance classes/competitions.  It was ramped up closer to leaving overseas, aiming to do a championship dance through a day and practicing in my kilt.”
 
She would recommend every dancer wear their full kilt when preparing for championships to get accustomed to the look and feel.
 
Encouraged by her results in Australia and feeling good despite the injury, Solai got to Scotland at the beginning of August. Jetlag didn’t affect her too badly, except a motion feeling when dancing. But she was fine after about a week, doing three highland games and three championships leading up to Cowal. She was the only kiwi competing on the circuit.
“It was the first time I’d danced in the wet, or on a wet stage with sawdust, and got dressed in a tent. But once I’d gone through it the first time, it was fine, I knew what to expect.”
​“It was very different to competing in New Zealand. There are more competitors which means the competition level is higher and majority of the competitions were danced outside in any weather. You have to be very prepared!”
 
That includes having a rain cape, galoshes, a roll-up practice pad and a tent – very often there was nowhere to warm up. 

​But it did take its toll on her body, and her injury did play up, requiring treatment over there.
 
“Everything was strapped up, I was in a lot of pain.”

Picture
Talk about a contrast! From the shelter of a stadium roof to an umbrella in Scotland, Solai gets her first taste of competing in Scottish conditions.
Picture
Solai Ehrhorn on her international travels while competing this year.

​However, Solai would not have missed any of it for the world, and pushed through the pain. She was grateful for the help of her teacher Morgan Bamford and the support of her family, who were over there with her, to get her through.
 
She admired the relaxed way the Scottish dancers approached competition, even the big champs, and their toughness and resilience no matter what the conditions.
 
“They’re just so casual. Cowal was just like going to another comp. It’s just another champ for them. They’re doing this all the time, so that was a big difference.” 

​They based themselves in Leith, just out of Edinburgh, hiring a car to get around.
Picture
Solai posing against the famous Cowal backdrop.
​“We booked Airbnb quite a wee while before we left NZ; it was a bit tricky to get accommodation which suited us especially apartments with a carpark. 
 
“The accommodation for Cowal in Dunoon MUST be booked as soon as you know you are attending the championships as it is hard to find accommodation there. Stirling is a beautiful place with a lot to see and do, although I was dance focused, I found that sightseeing wasn’t my priority.” 
 
Nerves were a big hurdle to overcome, and she tried different remedies to deal with them; “stress less oils, listening to music, trying not to overthink things etc, etc.”
 
Other things were more easy to adapt to – the food choices were good, reasonable in price and readily available. School work wasn’t too much of an issue as she’d given her teachers plenty of warning.
 
“I let my school know I was away for nearly six weeks and worked my Year 13 work around this, and they worked with me with what I wanted to achieve.”
 
Morgan had contacts in Scotland so Solai was able to attend private lessons and premier dance classes with her good friend, teacher Danielle Law.
 
“I really enjoyed taking part in the dance lessons and made some friends there. We also hired rooms in local community centres in Leith and the Stirling area which we googled to find and they were great.”
 
Competing in Scotland was “a life changing experience”.
 
“I had to be more resilient, adapt to different scenarios quite quickly and I made some really great connections and friendships. I definitely could not have done it all without Morgan.
 
“I unfortunately travelled with a foot injury and feel proud of myself for pushing through, competing and also achieving amazing placings and judges points at all competitions. 
 
“My greatest achievement was dancing on the Cowal stage which was a life dream – what an experience that was.
 
“It was a time of personal growth, and very challenging.
 
“I’d love to go back overseas to dance when I’m ready. It’s a little too soon at the moment.
 
“I am sorting my foot injury out and looking forward to competing in 2024. Some exciting opportunities have arisen from my travels which will soon be announced.”
 
Her advice to anyone else hoping to go over and compete:
 
“Take it all in.”
Picture
Solai and number one fan and supporter, her mum Erin.

Judy clark receives life membership

24/11/2023

 
Picture
​

​At our recent AGM Judy Clark was presented with Life Membership for her services to our organisation - pictured here with Christine Burgoyne (Vice Present) and Mark Forshaw (President)

Thistle Highland Dancer gaining success worldwide

31/8/2022

 
Read about Thistle highland dancing student Nathan and his successes...
It has been a busy couple of months for one of our dancers. Nathan travelled to the Grand Australasian Championships held in Sydney in June 2022 where he won the restricted premier group for Scottish Nationals.
He then travelled to Gosford in July to the International Championships.  On the first day he placed in all his Highland dances and was the winner of the restricted jig and hornpipe title.  On the second day he was the highest placed restricted and 6th overall in the 15 years championship.
We also had Kathryn who danced in her very first competition at Gosford and she placed in her hornpipe.
Nathan then travelled to Scotland where he placed 4th overall at the British Overseas Championship, placed in three dances in Stirling and Crieff and then it was off to Cowal for the Worlds.
 
Picture

New Plymouth Dancers take on Internationals

31/7/2022

 
Dancers from Morgan B School of Dance in New Plymouth travelled to Gosford, Australia for the International Highland Dancing Championships in July. Here are their awesome results below:
Solai - International Champion 16 years 
Madison - 4th overall International Championship 14 years 
McKenna - 6th overall 11 years International Championship 
Ella - most points restricted dancer 17 years International Championship 
Hunter - restricted jig and hornpipe title 
Portia - 15 years Pre Championship winner 
Madison - 14 years Pre Championship winner 
Picture

Waikanae Comp photos

27/2/2021

 
Picture
Picture

TUrakina Photos

2/2/2021

 
Picture
Picture
Picture

First competition since Lockdown

1/8/2020

 
Picture
Trophy winners from New Zealand's first competition since COVID-19

Nz Dancers at Basel Tattoo, Switzerland

11/8/2019

 
Picture
Sarah de Bruin, Devon Mokaraka and Shannon Vesey have recently returned from the Basel Tattoo, Switzerland, where they performed as part of the 49 strong International team of Highland Dancers, under the direction of Cheryl Roach, Stephanie Julliard and Rachael McLagan.  The Basel Tattoo is recognised as being the second largest Tattoo in the world and this year included a cast of 1000 performers.  

The girls began their tattoo experience with 3 days of rehearsals, dancing from 9am till 6pm, perfecting the choreography, followed by full cast and dress rehearsals. They then went on to perform 11 shows over 9 days in the historical barracks in Basel, on the banks of the Rhine river.
As part of the team, they were also involved in a parade through the city of Basel with the rest of the tattoo cast, and a Children’ s Day event. They also enjoyed day trips to the St Beatus Caves, Lake Lucerne, Stoos and Fronalpstock, getting to see some of the beautiful Swiss views.

They performed 3 dances each night along with the finale. There was a Greek number accompanying the Hellenic Navy Band, a Scottish act with the Massed Pipes and Drums and the main dance item, called Celtic Fire, with music played live by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

It was an incredibly rewarding experience and they formed lots of new friendships with other dancers from Australia, South Africa, Canada and Scotland. Videos of the performances can be found on the “Basel Tattoo International Dance Team” Facebook page. 

Written by Sarah de Bruin
​

Picture
Picture
Picture

Miss Tutu's New Uniforms!

8/8/2019

 
Some lovely photos sent in by Miss Tutu's School of Dance of their dancers with new competition jackets. These were made by the Highland Dancer in Scotland!
Picture

NZ Dancers at the International Highland DAncing Festival of Australia

27/7/2019

 
Picture

NZ Champions 2019

20/7/2019

 
Picture
7-11 Years - Bevyn Moyes, Scotland | 12-15 Years - Phoebe Clark, Australia | 16 and Over - Katie Reisima, New Zealand

2019 Scotdance NZ Scholarship recipients

17/7/2019

 
Congratulations to the two recipients of the 2019 ScotDance New Zealand scholarships!
The 2019 scholarships are to assist dancers in competing in a championship in New Zealand. These were assessed by Miss Kim Roe this year.
At the New Zealand Championships in New Plymouth over the weekend an official presentation for the two successful dancers was held. 
The winners are Solai Erhorn (under 14 years) - Morgan B School and Amy de Bruin (14 years and over) - Lothian Studio.
Picture
Amy de Bruin and Solai Erhorn

Dancers wow at Central Hawkes Bay A&P show

10/11/2018

 
Picture


​Fun day had by pupils of Miss Tutu's School of
Dance, keeping the Julie Appleton-Seymour tradition
alive with a highland dancing display at the
Central Hawkes Bay A&P show! 
​
​

Picture
Picture

STUDENTS SET FOR HIGHLAND DANCING AT THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH

1/11/2018

 
Picture
​
Fifteen New Plymouth dance students are heading to the happiest place on earth to compete in a highland dancing competition. 
The Paris International Highland Gathering Championship takes place at at Disneyland Paris every year, and for the first time Highland dancer, choreographer and dance teacher Morgan Bamford is taking 15 students from the Morgan B School of Dance.
Leaving on November 16, the students, accompanied by parents, will compete in the five-day Disney-themed competition, which runs from November 22 to 26. 

"We've been working really hard on Disney-themed dances," Bamford said. She has been preparing the kids, aged 7-15, for the competition since March. "It's just something that I thought was such a cool idea and the kids are getting to dance for fun."

"Generally you're dancing to celtic music, so it's been cool for the kids to dance to Disney music."  Performing 14 dances in categories such as duo, solo and group dance over the five days, their main performance is focused on the 2016 Disney animation Moana, with pois and kapa haka incorporated to represent New Zealand.  "I just thought New Zealand kind of fits," Bamford said. It's the first big overseas competition for many students who are going to have fun and come away with Disney-themed medals.  "A lot of them are hoping to do well but they've all got different goals. Some of them just want to get a medal and they'll be happy with that while some are wanting to go to win."

At the end of the five days the students will be performing in the Stars on Parade, a procession with the Disney characters that runs along the main strip of Disneyland Paris, before heading off with their families for a well-earned holiday. 

2018 SCOTDANCE NZ SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

14/7/2018

 
Picture


This year ScotDance New Zealand asked Kerry Grosser from Scottish Highland Dance Academy - Perth, Australia to assess the applications.

Beginner/Novice Scholarship awarded to:
Charlize Hide (Morgan B School of Dance)

Intermediate Scholarship awarded to:
Mikayla Allison (Highland Evolution Studio - Rebecca Gribbon)


Thank you Kerry Grosser for your contribution.

​Charlize and Mikayla were presented with their awards by the vice-President of ScotDance New Zealand - Mrs Heather Calkin at the City of New Plymouth Open Championship on 14 July 2018.

<<Previous

    Have any news or recent events that you would like published on the ScotDanceNZ website? Let us know by email or through our Facebook page!

    Archives

    December 2023
    November 2023
    August 2022
    July 2022
    February 2021
    August 2020
    August 2019
    July 2019
    November 2018
    July 2018
    July 2017


President

Mark Forshaw
​​lothian@actrix.co.nz

Secretary

Holly Keir
​scotdancenz@gmail.com
​

REGISTRATIONS      

Heather Calkin                            
scotdancenzreg@gmail.com          

                                                                

Website admin

Holly Keir / Sue Burgoyne
​scotdancenzwebsite@gmail.com



  • Home
  • News
  • UPCOMING EVENTS
  • Results
  • Downloads
  • Contacts
  • LINKS