May 04 - Gibraltar Dancers Return From Sussex Festival
Local dancers Caitlin Rodriguez and Sarah Anne MacLaren recently returned from participating at the Sussex Festival of Dance and Song. The dancers were accompanied by National Team Manager Paulette Finlayson and by Sabrina Abudarham.
In the Junior Trophy, Caitlin Rodriguez (first pic below) from the Show Dance Company performed against 27 other entries. Caitlin performed to a set Ballet routine coached by Paulette Finlayson and a modern solo ‘My New Philosophy’ choreographed by Sabrina Abudarham. Despite an aggregate score of 168 out of a possible 200 hundred marks for both pieces, on this occasion she did not get into the first two placings. Nevertheless, the organisers did ask Caitlin to perform an exhibition piece in her capacity as the current Children Solo Female IDO European Champion.
In the Senior Trophy, Gibraltar was represented by Sarah Anne McLaren (second pic below) from the Gibraltar Academy of Dance who performed against 40 entries. Sarah Anne performed to a set Ballet routine and a modern solo ‘Only Human’ choreographed and trained by Paulette Finlayson. Sarah Anne managed an aggregate score of 174 out of a possible 200 for both pieces and qualified amongst the top 6 dancers. Although she did not make the first two placings, she received a highly commended for her achievement from British Federation adjudicator Chris Hocking.
Director of M.O. Productions Seamus Byrne said, ‘Both dancers have once again been great ambassadors for Gibraltar and we are delighted with their performances and participation at this event that was so well received by festival organisers and everyone enjoying the festival.
‘It has been an extraordinary educational experience and we look forward to furthering our relationship with the Sussex Festival and in hosting the winner of the Gibraltar Award in March 2016.’
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