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It's hard to believe that time has passed so fast, but it's 10 years ago today that I was awarded my Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) teaching certificate.
It will probably surprise people to know (it certainly surprised me at the time) that to attain that august qualification took 4 years (at that time anyway). The first year you had to pass a written exam. It covered, not only how to do the many formations that make up the dances, but a good deal about the history of dance in Scotland, and of the RSCDS, and even more about the music and significant musicians that provide the tunes we dance to - the tunes are often even older than the dances, and the original dances can be many 100's of years old, so there was a bit to cover! The following year required attending a 2 week intensive training course with exams at the end of each week. With no nearer course available this entailed me attending the 'RSCDS Summer School' at St Andrews University in Scotland. I can honestly say that the weeks spent training for Units 2 & 3 of the certificate were some of the most gruelling and intense weeks of my life: the teacher was amazing, but gosh it was hard. I was truly thankful for my childhood ballet training and the solid grounding provided by the RSCDS trained teacher in Manchester who first introduced me to Scottish Country dancing. Then followed a year working towards Unit 4, keeping a record of the classes I was running here in Cyprus to demonstrate the training I'd so far received- and also a brief visit to the beautiful area of the Wirral in England, where the Wirral RSCDS branch chairman (who used to come to the classes in Cyprus when she was here) had kindly arranged for me to stay with her and to teach some of their classes. This allowed Di, my distant Mentor from the RSCDS, to see me in action, and provide me with a bit of much needed feedback. Having submitted my records and passed that hurdle, I was back at Summer School the following year. I had 2 more weeks of training, (this time Pete joined me for the 2nd week - he had a ball!), thankfully not as arduous as the Units 2 & 3, and then the final 'Unit 5' exam. And I passed - wahaay (not everyone did!) Would I do it all again... I'm not sure - but am I certainly glad I did do it then. I should also mention, that although I was initially self funded I subsequently received financial support from both the Paphos St Andrew Society (now our P3A St Andrew Group) and the Suzie Mayr Fund of the International Branch of the RSCDS for which I was truly grateful! 2 weeks to go until we are back to our classes at the Phoenix Club after our Summer break... I hope you are looking forward to it as much as I am, see you then.
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Thanks must go to Mary who had the excellent idea of a summertime get-together for those of us still on the island. We all met during the 2-4 pm slot, that during cooler weather is occupied by the Monday class, and had a super lunch/afternoon tea at Tea for Two. Her invitation was accepted by attendees of both the Monday and Tuesday sessions and it was a lovely friendly opportunity to get to know each other better or catch up with those we already know well, but haven't seen since the Jamboree (and also eat Lemon Meringue Pie!).
A further Sunday 'Advancing your Dancing' session was suggested for next Sunday, and enough people said 'yes' to make it worth going ahead. If you weren't at Tea for Two you are still welcome to come - it's going to be a bit of a 'back to basic's' session - so if you feel you'd like to get clear on some of the more common, but not necessarily well performed formations etc. this might be the class to be at! I hope to see as many as can make it. Sunday 10th August, 10 am until Noon, Phoenix Social Club €2 (+temporary membership fee of €2 if you aren't a member of the Club). |
MeOriginated in Manchester, England: Worked almost 20 yrs in the United Arab Emirates: Lives in Cyprus. Teaches Scottish Country Dancing (RSCDS qualified 2015) -just the average life! Also loves Photography & Photoshop, Gardening, Music, Sewing, Design, Reading, computers, God, my husband & my cats (not necessarily in that order). Hates - crowds, hypocrisy, 'Reality' TV, corrupt politicians, cruelty and greed of any kind. Archives
November 2025
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