Royal Academy of Dance Scotland AGM

On Sunday 1 November, the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) of the Royal Academy of Dance held their AGM at Scottish Ballet's new premises at the Tramway in Glasgow.

It is an important part of our RAD calendar and an opportunity to meet teachers from across Scotland. This year was particularly significant as some of the members of the RAC committee had to resign their post, having served their term... this included our own school principal, Mrs Jacqueline Clark, the Chairman, Mrs Louise Murray, and Miss Carla Duggan.

Mrs Clark was an active member of the committee, supporting RAD events and attending regular meetings in Scotland and London.  Mrs Murray regularly took the views of teachers, parents and students to meetings at RAD headquarters in London and her lively and enthusiastic approach ensured that the ideas and opinions of Scottish teachers were heard.

They will be replaced by Samantha Ball (East Lothian), Yvonne Gray (Fife) and Suzanne Hamilton (Grampian) on the committee, and Nikki Forbes (a former committee member) as chairman. To keep up-to-date with Scottish RAD events, you can visit the Scotland page on the RAD website.

Learning more...

Following an inspiring tour of the new purpose-built premises, we enjoyed presentations from Scottish Ballet's education department about the Associate schemes and the new BA Modern Ballet course being run with RSAMD, as well as an update on Child Protection, and a short presentation about the recent success of the Dance School of Scotland.

In the afternoon, we listened intently as Lynn Wallis (Artistic Director, RAD) explained in detail the system of 'moderation and adjustment' of exam marks. Then, we all thoroughly enjoyed walking, running and leaping around the studio as part of the "Living the Music" workshop with Lynn Wallis and Jonathan Still (RAD Music Development Manager). It was an inspiring workshop which left us all very hot and sweaty... but wanting more!

Main photo: retiring members Mrs Clark (left) and Mrs Louise Murray (Carla Duggan not present) with RAD Scottish Organiser, Jennifer MacFarlane

(Photo: Mrs Clark and Amanda Clark with Jonathan Still and Lynn Wallis from the RAD)